As optical networks grow increasingly complex to meet the exponential demand for high-bandwidth services, maintaining uninterrupted service becomes a top priority. In mission-critical applications—such as data centers, metropolitan area networks (MANs), and optical transport networks (OTNs)—downtime is not an option. Optical Bypass Modules (OBMs) emerge as a vital solution to ensure network resilience and high availability.

An Optical Bypass Module is a passive or active optical device designed to maintain signal continuity in a network node when a network element, such as a transponder, router, or switch, fails or is powered off. OBMs are primarily used in optical line protection (OLP) systems, where they automatically redirect traffic around malfunctioning or powered-down equipment to avoid data loss or service disruption.

At its core, the module bypasses the optical signal—either through an internal optical switch or a passive routing mechanism—allowing the signal to continue along its path even if the node device becomes inoperative.

The fiber bypass module is typically integrated at a network node, where it interacts with both incoming and outgoing fiber links and the internal equipment. Under normal conditions, the OBM directs the incoming signal to the network equipment for processing. If the equipment is turned off or fails, the OBM detects the absence of power or optical signal and reroutes the traffic from the input directly to the output port, effectively "bypassing" the node.

There are two common types of bypass mechanisms:
Active Bypass Modules: These use electrically controlled optical switches to reroute traffic and require an external power supply.
Passive Bypass Modules: These rely on optical passive components such as couplers or circulators and are triggered by signal loss, requiring no external power.

Optical bypass modules are designed to support a wide range of data rates to meet the diverse needs of modern optical networks. The supported data rates typically include:

• 1.25Gbps: Commonly used in Gigabit Ethernet and other low-speed applications, 1.25Gbps OBMs are suitable for legacy systems or applications with moderate bandwidth requirements.
• 10Gbps: Widely adopted in enterprise networks and data centers, 10Gbps OBMs cater to high-speed applications such as 10 Gigabit Ethernet and Fibre Channel.
• 40Gbps: These modules support higher-bandwidth applications, such as 40 Gigabit Ethernet, and are often used in data center interconnects and metro networks.
• 100Gbps and Beyond: With the rise of cloud computing, 5G, and artificial intelligence, 100Gbps OBMs are increasingly deployed in high-performance computing environments and hyperscale data centers. Emerging standards, such as 400Gbps, are also being supported by advanced OBM designs to accommodate future network demands.

The ability to support these data rates ensures that OBMs can be deployed across a variety of network architectures, from small-scale enterprise networks to large-scale telecommunications backbones.

Depending on the deployment environment and transmission distance, Optical Bypass Modules are available in two primary configurations:

Single-Mode OBMs

• Designed for long-distance transmission up to tens of kilometers.
• Operate at standard telecom wavelengths such as 1310 nm, 1490 nm, and 1550 nm.
• Typical in backbone networks, metro networks, and long-haul data links.

Multimode OBMs

• Suitable for short-distance applications such as intra-data center links.
• Operate at wavelengths around 850 nm.
• Preferred in environments with legacy multimode infrastructure.
• The choice between single-mode and multimode depends on factors such as fiber type, link length, and existing network architecture.

GLSUN is a leading provider of advanced optical communication products and solutions. With a fully integrated supply chain and vertically aligned production capabilities, GLSUN delivers end-to-end support across the optical component ecosystem—from TO packages, optical chips, and optical engines to optical switches and modules.

GLSUN maintains full in-house control over R&D, manufacturing, and packaging processes, ensuring consistent quality and performance. The company offers custom Optical Bypass Modules supporting 1.25G, 10G, 40G, and 100G, along with line card ODM services and component-level customization.