NG Ethernet Forum

1.000.000.000.000 bit per second is far from realistic when we look at a single serial stream of bits, which are organized in ethernet frame format for a single point-to-point connection. Optical Laser components are currently allowing for roughly 100 Gigabit per second operation. And even here, modulated light (carrying 2 or more bit information on a single light pulse) is often used to cut down on the switching speed for the electrical control component. However, eletrical switching at 100 Gbps is demonstrated and will certainly be used in future transmitters.

Thus, terabit speed is only achiveable by means of DWDM. The structure of such wavelength bundles is manyfold. You will currently find either 10G or 40G signals per wavelength. The actual speed results in the number of wavelengths used on one fibre. As a rough figure, 150 ... 200 wavelengths per fibre are available.
I have come across such systems at 1,x terabit per second. However, Siemens was once mentioned in the press for a lab trial at 7 terabit/sec. Please let the forum know, when you find more current news about achieved 100g Ethernet/laboratorial speeds.

there is a 100g Ethernet session on this year OFC (2010) on Terabit Ethernet. Interesting session!