XVR-10218-40 Arista 400GBPS MPO 12 70M 100M 400GBASE-SR4.2 BIDI connector UP To OM3 OM4 MMF Networks Transceiver

Arista 400GBPS Optical Transceiver

The Arista XVR-10218-40 is a high-performance network transceiver designed for modern data centers and enterprise environments. With advanced BiDi technology and MPO-12 connectors, it ensures reliable connectivity across OM3 and OM4 multi-mode fiber infrastructures.

General Information

• Brand: Arista
• Model Number: XVR-10218-40
• Device Category: Optical Transceiver for networking

Technical Highlights

Data Transmission Speed

• Supports ultra-fast 400 Gigabits per second
• Ideal for high-bandwidth applications and cloud computing

Form Factor

• QSFP-DD (Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable Double Density)
• Compact design for scalable deployments

Connector Type

• MPO-12 UPC connector for parallel fiber connections
• Ensures efficient alignment and minimal signal loss

Wavelength Range

• BiDi technology utilizing dual wavelengths
• Typically operates around 850nm and 910nm bands

Maximum Reach Capabilities

OM3 Multi-Mode Fiber

• Up to 70 meters transmission distance
• Optimized for short-range high-speed links

OM4 Multi-Mode Fiber

• Up to 100 meters transmission distance
• Enhanced reach for larger data center layouts

Fiber Type Compatibility

• Designed for Multi-Mode Fiber (MMF) networks
• Supports parallel fiber connectivity for scalable infrastructure

Deployment Flexibility

• Compatible with OM3 and OM4 MMF cabling
• Ideal for cloud, enterprise, and hyperscale environments

Future-Proof Design

• QSFP-DD form factor ensures scalability
• Supports next-generation networking standards

XVR-10218-40 400Gigabits Optical Transceiver Overview

The Arista XVR-10218-40 400GBPS MPO 12 transceiver belongs to a specialized category of ultra-high-speed optical networking components engineered to support next-generation data center, cloud, enterprise, and service provider infrastructures. This category encompasses 400GBASE-SR4.2 BiDi optical transceivers designed for short-reach, high-density deployments over multimode fiber, specifically OM3 and OM4 MMF networks. Products within this category are optimized to deliver exceptional bandwidth, low latency, and efficient parallel optical transmission, making them essential for modern spine-leaf architectures, hyperscale data centers, and high-performance computing environments.

At the core of this category is the requirement for scalable bandwidth growth without increasing fiber complexity. The 400GBASE-SR4.2 BiDi standard enables bidirectional transmission over parallel fiber pairs, allowing existing MPO-12 cabling infrastructures to be reused while supporting massive throughput. This approach reduces deployment costs, simplifies migration paths from 100G and 200G networks, and ensures long-term investment protection. The Arista XVR-10218-40 exemplifies these principles by offering robust performance across extended multimode distances while maintaining interoperability and compliance with IEEE and MSA standards.

400GBASE-SR4.2 BiDi Technology Foundation

The transceivers in this category leverage 400GBASE-SR4.2 BiDi technology, which represents an evolution of short-reach optical standards for multimode fiber environments. Unlike traditional SR4 optics that require eight fibers for transmission and eight for reception, SR4.2 BiDi enables bidirectional communication across four fiber pairs using wavelength multiplexing. This innovation effectively doubles fiber efficiency and supports high-speed data transmission without requiring additional fiber runs.

Within this category, the Arista XVR-10218-40 operates at an aggregate data rate of 400 gigabits per second by utilizing four parallel optical lanes in each direction. Each lane transmits and receives data simultaneously over the same fiber pair using distinct wavelengths. This architecture not only maximizes bandwidth utilization but also minimizes cabling complexity, which is critical in high-density rack environments where space and airflow are constrained.

Parallel Optics and MPO-12 Connectivity

Parallel optics are a defining characteristic of this category, enabling transceivers to distribute high data rates across multiple optical channels. The MPO-12 connector plays a central role by providing a compact, high-density interface capable of supporting multiple fiber strands within a single connector housing. This design is particularly advantageous for data centers seeking to scale port counts while maintaining manageable cabling layouts.

The MPO-12 interface supports structured cabling systems and allows for rapid deployment, testing, and maintenance. Transceivers like the Arista XVR-10218-40 are engineered to align precisely with MPO-12 connectors, ensuring optimal optical coupling, minimal insertion loss, and consistent signal integrity across all channels. This reliability is essential for maintaining stable 400G links in mission-critical network environments.

Multimode Fiber Compatibility and Reach Capabilities

This category is specifically tailored for multimode fiber networks, with full compatibility for OM3 and OM4 MMF. These fiber types are widely deployed in data centers due to their cost-effectiveness and suitability for short-reach, high-bandwidth applications. The Arista XVR-10218-40 supports distances of up to 70 meters over OM3 fiber and up to 100 meters over OM4 fiber, providing flexibility for a wide range of deployment scenarios.

By supporting extended reach over OM4 fiber, transceivers in this category enable interconnection across larger data halls, aggregation layers, and cross-connect zones without sacrificing performance. This capability is particularly valuable in modern data center designs where equipment may be distributed across multiple rows or pods. The ability to maintain consistent 400G throughput over these distances ensures seamless data flow and reduces the need for additional signal regeneration or intermediate switching.

Signal Integrity and Optical Performance

Maintaining signal integrity at 400Gbps requires precise optical engineering, advanced modulation techniques, and rigorous quality control. Products in this category are designed to minimize jitter, crosstalk, and attenuation across all optical lanes. The Arista XVR-10218-40 incorporates high-performance lasers, photodetectors, and digital signal processing to ensure reliable data transmission under varying environmental conditions.

Optical performance parameters such as optical modulation amplitude, extinction ratio, and receiver sensitivity are carefully optimized to meet or exceed industry specifications. This ensures interoperability with compatible switches and network devices while delivering consistent performance across different cabling installations. As a result, this category is well-suited for demanding applications where uptime and data integrity are paramount.

Environmental and Thermal Considerations

High-speed optical transceivers generate heat due to the dense integration of electronic and photonic components. The category addresses these challenges through advanced thermal management designs that support stable operation within specified temperature ranges. Efficient heat dissipation is achieved through optimized module housings, materials, and airflow compatibility with modern switch platforms.

The Arista XVR-10218-40 is engineered to operate reliably in high-density switch environments where multiple 400G ports may be active simultaneously. This ensures consistent performance even under sustained high traffic loads, contributing to overall network stability and longevity.

Data Center and Cloud Network Applications

The primary application domain for this category is high-performance data center and cloud networking. As workloads such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data analytics, and virtualization continue to expand, the demand for ultra-high-speed interconnects has grown significantly. 400G optical transceivers enable data centers to meet these demands by providing the bandwidth necessary to support east-west traffic, storage replication, and high-throughput compute clusters.

Within spine-leaf architectures, transceivers like the Arista XVR-10218-40 are commonly deployed in spine and aggregation switches to facilitate high-capacity links between network tiers. Their short-reach design makes them ideal for intra-data-center connections, where low latency and high throughput are critical to application performance.

Operational Efficiency and Network Reliability

Operational efficiency is a central theme within this category, as high-speed networks must balance performance with manageability and reliability. Optical transceivers like the Arista XVR-10218-40 incorporate digital diagnostics and monitoring capabilities that provide real-time visibility into key operational parameters. These features enable proactive maintenance, rapid troubleshooting, and optimized network performance.

By monitoring metrics such as temperature, optical power levels, and voltage, network operators can identify potential issues before they impact service availability. This predictive approach reduces downtime and supports service-level agreements in mission-critical environments.

Power Consumption and Energy Optimization

As data centers strive to improve energy efficiency, power consumption has become an important consideration for optical transceivers. The category emphasizes optimized power usage without compromising performance. Advanced semiconductor technologies and efficient optical components help minimize energy draw per gigabit transmitted.

The Arista XVR-10218-40 is designed to align with energy-efficient data center initiatives, contributing to lower total cost of ownership and reduced environmental impact. This focus on efficiency supports sustainable network growth and aligns with broader organizational goals for energy conservation.

Future-Proof Network Design

The category supports future-proof network design by enabling seamless integration with emerging technologies and architectures. As data rates continue to increase and application demands grow, the foundational capabilities of 400G optical transceivers provide a stable platform for ongoing innovation.

The Arista XVR-10218-40 exemplifies this forward-looking approach by combining advanced optical technology with practical deployment considerations. Its support for parallel optics, bidirectional transmission, and multimode fiber compatibility positions it as a key component in next-generation network strategies.