Many different forms of optical modulation and multiplexing have been employed in optical modules. This article provides a strategic and technology-focused roadmap for the evolution of optical modules from 400G to 800G, 1. 2T, helping data center operators make informed, future-ready upgrade decisions. Optical modules, responsible for carrying the majority of intra–data center traffic, have become a foundational building block of modern digital infrastructure. As AI model training and inference scale to thousands of GPUs, traditional network architectures are being pushed to their limits. This article unpacks the technologies powering this leap (silicon photonics, advanced modulation, and co-packaged optics), compares deployment paradigms, and delivers a tactical upgrade roadmap that balances performance, cost, and scalability. 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.
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