Multi-source agreement

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in the telecommunications industry, a multi-source agreement (MSA) is an agreement among multiple manufacturers to make products which are compatible across vendors, acting as de facto standards, establishing a competitive market for interoperable products. [1] [2]

Products that adhere to multi-source agreements (MSAs) include: optical transceivers, such as the SFP, SFP+, XENPAK, QSFP, XFP, CFP etc.; fiber optic cables; and other networking devices. MSAs strictly define the operating characteristics of these network devices so that system vendors may implement ports in their devices (e.g. Ethernet switches and routers) that allow MSA compliant devices produced by name brands, as well as third party vendors, to function properly. [1] [3]

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Coherent optical module refers to a typically hot-pluggable coherent optical transceiver that uses coherent modulation and is typically used in high-bandwidth data communications applications. Optical modules typically have an electrical interface on the side that connects to the inside of the system and an optical interface on the side that connects to the outside world through a fiber optic cable. The technical details of coherent optical modules were proprietary for many years, but have recently attracted efforts by multi-source agreement (MSA) groups and a standards development organizations such as the Optical Internetworking Forum. Coherent optical modules can either plug into a front panel socket or an on-board socket. Coherent optical modules form a smaller piece of a much larger optical module industry.

References

  1. 1 2 "Multi-source agreements". Commscope. Retrieved 2017-02-02.
  2. Meyers, Mike (2018). CompTIA Network+ certification exam guide : (exam N10-007) (Seventh ed.). New York. p. 103. ISBN   978-1-260-12239-8. OCLC   1043671343.
  3. "A Detailed Introduction to MSA Standard and MSA SFP 2022". Aiyden. Retrieved March 17, 2022.