By deploying the BCM81724 on the system board, operators can directly plug existing 100G QSFP28 optical modules or Direct-Attach Copper (DAC) cables into a 400G switch chassis. This extends the lifespan of active optical equipment while allowing data center footprints to scale to aggregate 400G speeds. Multi-Rate Versatility
In summary, the Broadcom BCM81724 is a critical enabler of the disaggregated, memory-pooled, high-bandwidth data centers of the 2020s. While it works silently behind the scenes, its impact on system performance is monumental. As PCIe speeds double every few years, retimers like the BCM81724 are no longer optional—they are the foundation of modern computing's physical layer.
Broadcom has packed this chip with advanced features that make it a favorite among server OEMs like Dell, HPE, and Supermicro. bcm81724
: Enabling high-port-count 100G, 200G, and 400G configurations in cloud environments. Hyperscale Connectivity
Broadcom provides a binary firmware blob that must be loaded via SPI flash at boot. Key configuration steps: By deploying the BCM81724 on the system board,
Without the BCM81724, a 51.2T Tomahawk 5 switch chip (which outputs 50G PAM-4 SerDes) cannot directly drive an 800G optical module (which requires 100G PAM-4 drive). The chip performs two vital tasks:
Released as the industry's first 400G "reverse gearbox," this chip was designed to help network operators save on Capital Expenditure (CAPEX). By allowing 400G-capable switches to interface with existing 100G optical modules, it prevents the need for a total hardware overhaul when upgrading core network speeds. While it works silently behind the scenes, its
The BCM81724 supports:
Modern server design faces a physics problem: As data rates double (PCIe 5.0 is double the speed of 4.0), the distance a signal can travel over a copper trace on a motherboard plummets. Without a retimer, PCIe 5.0 links are effectively limited to a few inches.
