Marvell Launches 400GbE MACsec PHY Transceiver for High Precision and Greater Security

Marvell (NASDAQ:MRVL) today announced the launch of a dual-port 400GbE MACsec PHY transceiver that integrates 256-bit encryption and Class C Precision Time Protocol (PTP) timestamping technology, bringing advanced performance, higher security and faster transmission speeds to next-generation network infrastructure. The transceiver supports 400G Ethernet rates based on hardware-based point-to-point encryption technology and is currently being deployed in cloud services, carriers and enterprise networks to meet the market's demand for enhanced data security. Currently, the strict timing requirements of 5G radios are driving higher timing accuracy. The new 400GbE PHY device uses Marvell's industry-leading 56G PAM4 SerDes technology, IEEE 802.1AE 256-bit MACsec encryption technology and high-precision timestamping. With these comprehensive and innovative features, network equipment manufacturers can provide solutions with higher throughput, better security and higher timing accuracy for hyperscale data centers, edge devices, enterprises and 5G infrastructure applications.

Data centers are in urgent need of the latest technologies to support the new demands of composable infrastructure, connected intelligence, and edge computing. Marvell's dual-port 400G MACsec PHY 88X7121P supports 1GbE to 400GbE Ethernet transmission rates. When combined with the groundbreaking Marvell® Prestera® CX 8500 400GbE switch, data can be securely transferred to the intelligent edge to meet the bandwidth and latency requirements of 5G and artificial intelligence for critical applications.

“The dual-port 400GbE MACsec PHY integrates the industry’s leading 56G PAM4 SerDes solution into an advanced FinFET process, further extending Marvell’s leadership in high-speed Ethernet PHY and high-speed SerDes technology,” said Faraj Aalaei, executive vice president of Marvell’s Networking Business Unit. “Marvell’s new PHY is optimized for innovative and differentiated solution deployments that address the unique security and performance requirements of hyperscale data centers, enterprise networks and 5G infrastructure.”

“We are seeing data centers migrate to 100GbE, 200GbE and 400GbE to meet growing processing and I/O bandwidth demands, especially as AI and machine learning workloads surge,” said Bob Wheeler, principal network analyst at The Linley Group. “Stronger data protection and security have also become core requirements for cloud operators and network equipment vendors. Marvell’s new 400GbE PHY addresses the critical need for enhanced MACsec security in data center interconnects while delivering the proven, high-speed data performance that network equipment vendors require.”

The 88X7121P is the latest addition to Marvell's Alaska® C series of Ethernet transceivers, supporting retiming and gearboxing applications, and is compatible with Marvell's 88X7120 PHY in terms of packaging and software, providing design flexibility to customers. The new device is fully compliant with IEEE 400GbE, 100GbE and 50GbE standards, and exceeds the electrical specifications for QSFP-DD and OSFP optical module connections. The 88X7121P provides MACsec-based 256-bit encryption technology for point-to-point links, enhancing security and allowing flexible deployment of MACsec encryption functions without the cost and power burden of adding this function to the switch ASIC. The high-precision Class C PTP timestamp integrated in the device can improve the timing accuracy required by carriers, wireless backhaul and 5G infrastructure applications.

The Marvell 88X7121P is sampling now.