2025 OIF 448G Workshop
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Highlights from OIF 448G Workshop
Views expressed are those of the presenting individuals and companies and may not necessarily represent views of Converge! Network Digest or AvidThink.
Why 400G Systems Demand a New Era of Industry-Wide Collaboration
Cathy Liu, SerDes Architect at OIF, explains how the shift to 400G systems demands unprecedented collaboration between equipment vendors, component makers, and chip designers to overcome bandwidth constraints. She describes how OIF is coordinating industry-wide efforts to evaluate circuit designs and modulation approaches that will enable successful 400G deployment despite power and reliability hurdles.
Breaking 100GHz Barriers for Higher Bandwidth
Sam Kocsis, Director of Standards and Technology at OIF, leads discussions at the organization’s 448G AI workshop to address next-generation deployment challenges through industry collaboration. The workshop examines connector interfaces and system architectures, focusing on increasing data rates through module density and signal speed improvements, while developing new standards for enhanced bandwidth capabilities.
448G Building the Future of High-Speed Connectivity Standards
Michael Klempa, Interoperability Working Group Chair at OIF, leads discussions at the 448G AI workshop to establish industry standards for high-speed connectivity. The initiative brings together multiple standards organizations and industry partners to develop a comprehensive framework document covering various 448G applications, from long-reach to chip-to-chip connections, while incorporating feedback from SerDes vendors, connector manufacturers, and end users.
Coherent Optics: From 400G to 1.6T
Tom Issenhuth, Co-Chair of the MA&E Committee at OIF, outlines the progression of coherent optics standards from 400G ZR to 800G ZR and upcoming 1.6T interfaces. The increasing demands of AI/ML workloads and higher data rates are making coherent optics essential for both inter- and intra-data center connectivity, especially when accounting for optical switching requirements.
448G Will Be The First AI-Native Network Standard
Alan Weckel, Founder and Technology Analyst at 650 Group, explains how the new 448 speed standard at OAF marks the first speed designed specifically for the AI era, addressing hyperscalers’ next-generation chip requirements. His analysis shows how this advancement has expanded networking from a $10-15 billion market to a $50-100 billion opportunity in data centers, with server markets potentially reaching $300-500 billion.
448G Connectivity: Key Requirements & Solutions
Ashwin Gumaste, Principal AI Systems Architect at Microsoft, examines the industry’s shift from 224G to 448G connectivity, focusing on power budget constraints and retimer solution challenges. He explores technical requirements including 40 dB reach specifications, power optimization targets, and cost considerations while discussing both copper and optical implementation approaches.
Shaping Next-Gen AI Infrastructure & Network Solutions
Nathan Tracy, President of OIF, leads a comprehensive 400 gigabit workshop focused on AI compute infrastructure requirements, bringing together industry experts, hyperscalers, and analysts. The workshop addresses six key areas including electrical data rates, coherent technology, and network capacity management, with Tracy emphasizing recent progress in 448 gigabit solutions while tackling technical hurdles in achieving higher data rates.
Energy-Efficient Solutions for AI Infrastructure
Jeff Hutchins, Director of the CTO Office at OIF, leads the organization’s Energy Efficient Interfaces group, which builds upon their 2020 co-packaging work with hyperscalers. The group advances multiple energy-saving technologies, including transmit linear receiver solutions and high-density connectors, while addressing critical power consumption and reliability challenges in AI training environments.
448G Is Inevitable—But Far from Easy
Scott Wilkinson, Lead Analyst, Networking Components at Cignal AI, examines the development of 448G PAM4 technology and its implications for networking speed transitions from 50G to 400G and beyond. His analysis combines technical expertise with market insights to evaluate how AI applications are accelerating the need for advanced data center technologies, including coherent light and PAM4 solutions.