Patent Publication Number: US-2022236502-A1

Title: Networking communication adapter

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/077,089, filed Oct. 22, 2020, the disclosure of which application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD 
     Example embodiments of the present invention relate generally to communication systems and, more particularly, to networking communication adapters. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Datacenters and other networking environments may include connections between switch systems, servers, racks, and other devices in order to provide for signal transmission between one or more of these elements. Such connections may be made using cables, transceivers, networking boxes, modules, printed circuit boards (PCBs), and connector assemblies, each of which may have a different size, shape, form factor, or the like as defined by applicable regulations or standards. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Apparatuses, systems, and associated methods of manufacturing are provided for improved networking communication systems. An example networking communication adapter may include an adapter housing defining a first end configured to engage an Octal Small Form Factor Pluggable (OSFP) connector. The adapter housing may further define a second end opposite the first end configured to receive a Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable Double Density (QSFP-DD) transceiver therein. The networking communication adapter may further include an inner connector positioned within the adapter housing and configured to, in an operational configuration in which the first end engages the OSFP connector and the second end receives the QSFP-DD transceiver, operably connect the QSFP-DD transceiver with the OSFP connector such that signals may pass therebetween. 
     In some embodiments, the inner connector may further include a printed circuit board (PCB) proximate the first end of the adapter housing configured to, in the operational configuration, operably connect the inner connector with the OSFP connector. In such an embodiment, the inner connector may further include a QSFP-DD connector proximate the second end of the adapter housing, configured to, in the operational configuration, operably couple the inner connector with the QSFP-DD transceiver. 
     In some further embodiments, the QSFP-DD connector may be configured to receive a corresponding PCB of the QSFP-DD transceiver such that the PCB of the inner connector and the PCB of the QSFP-DD transceiver are substantially aligned. 
     In other embodiments, the QSFP-DD connector may be configured to receive a corresponding PCB of the QSFP-DD transceiver such that the PCB of the inner connector and the PCB of the QSFP-DD transceiver are coplanar. 
     In some embodiments, the inner connector may further include connectivity circuitry configured to determine the presence of a noncompliant transceiver received by the second end of the adapter housing and preclude communication between the OSFP connector and the noncompliant transceiver. In such an embodiment, the noncompliant transceiver may include a Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable (QSFP), Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable+ (QSFP+), Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable 28 (QSFP28), Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable 56 (QSFP56) transceiver, or Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable 112 (QSFP112) transceiver. Some of the aforementioned transceivers may be defined by applicable multi-source agreements (MSAs) or standards. The present disclosure, however, contemplates that a noncompliant transceiver as described herein may refer to a transceiver that has the same size (e.g., form factor) and connectivity (e.g., connection pads) as a QSFP transceiver. 
     In some further embodiments, the QSFP-DD connector may further include a plurality of legacy connection pads and a plurality of QSFP-DD connections pads configured to, in an operational configuration, operably connect the QSFP-DD transceiver with the inner connector. In such an embodiment, the connectivity circuitry may be configured to determine the presence of the noncompliant transceiver by identifying an absence of connectivity associated with at least one QSFP-DD connection pad. 
     An example method for network communications is also provided. The method may include monitoring a second end of an adapter housing, wherein the second end is configured to receive a Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable Double Density (QSFP-DD) transceiver therein. The method may further include determining the presence of a noncompliant transceiver received by the second end of the adapter housing and precluding communication between the noncompliant transceiver and a first end of the adapter housing configured to engage an Octal Small Form Factor Pluggable (OSFP) connector. 
     In some embodiments, monitoring the second end of the adapter housing may further include monitoring a plurality of legacy connection pads and a plurality of QSFP-DD connection pads of a QSFP-DD connector positioned proximate the second end of the adapter housing. 
     In some further embodiments, precluding communication between the noncompliant transceiver and the first end of the adapter housing may further include grounding a connection to at least one legacy connection pad. 
     In any network communication method embodiment, the noncompliant transceiver may include a Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable (QSFP), Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable+ (QSFP+), Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable 28 (QSFP28), or Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable 56 (QSFP56) transceiver. 
     The above summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example embodiments to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above-described embodiments are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the invention in any way. It will be appreciated that the scope of the invention encompasses many potential embodiments in addition to those here summarized, some of which will be further described below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Having described certain example embodiments of the present disclosure in general terms above, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings. The components illustrated in the figures may or may not be present in certain embodiments described herein. Some embodiments may include fewer (or more) components than those shown in the figures. 
         FIGS. 1A-1B  are perspective views of a networking communication adapter according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the networking communication adapter of  FIGS. 1A-1B  according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the networking communication adapter of  FIG. 1B  according to an example embodiment; 
         FIGS. 4A-4B  are top and bottom views, respectively, illustrating connection pads of a QSFP-DD connector according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating an example method for network communications according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a circuitry diagram of example connectivity circuitry according to an example embodiment; and 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a networking communication adapter according to an example embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Overview 
     The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which some but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, terms such as “front,” “rear,” “top,” etc. are used for explanatory purposes in the examples provided below to describe the relative position of certain components or portions of components. Furthermore, as would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure, the terms “substantially” and “approximately” indicate that the referenced element or associated description is accurate to within applicable engineering tolerances. 
     As noted above and described hereafter, networking systems, such as those found in datacenters, may establish inter-rack connections between racks and intra-rack connections between networking boxes, PCBs, and the like located within the same rack. These connections often rely upon transceivers, processors, chipsets, PCBs, connectors, networking cables, and associated communication system components that are constrained by regulations (e.g., industry standards or the like) that regulate the overall size of these components, define the shape of these components, and/or specify the types of connections between components. By way of example, emerging transceivers/modules such as Octal Small Form Factor Pluggable (OSFP) and Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable Double Density (QSFP-DD) transceivers/modules employ eight (8) high speed electrical lanes that increase system bandwidth and data transmission as compared to prior legacy transceivers/modules. OSFP connectors are configured to engage an OSFP transceiver/module and are dimensioned (e.g., sized and shaped) according to associated OSFP regulations. QSFP-DD transceivers/modules are also dimensioned (e.g., sized and shaped) according to associated QSFP-DD regulations, resulting in a different size and form factor as between OSFP and QSFP-DD transceivers/modules. The size of an OSFP connector, for example, is wider and deeper than that of a QSDP-DD transceiver/module, resulting in connector interfacing issues in networking environments. In order to address these issues and others, the devices of the present disclosure provide a networking communication adapter that physically and electrically connects an OSFP connector and a QSFP-DD transceiver such that signals may pass therebetween. 
     Furthermore, QSFP-DD connectors may also provide for backwards compatibility in that legacy transceivers (e.g., prior hardware components that have been superseded in functionality) may be physically inserted into a QSFP-DD connector and may be operable. By way of example, Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable (QSFP), Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable+ (QSFP+), Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable 28 (QSFP28), and Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable 56 (QSFP56) transceivers employ four (4) high speed electrical lanes but may be received by a QSFP-DD connector and operate with these four (4) electrical lanes. Although operable, receipt of a legacy transceiver/module (e.g., QSFP, QSFP+, QSFP28, QSFP56, etc.) by a QSFP-DD connector results in a reduced operating capacity for the QSFP-DD connector due to utilization of only a subset of available connection pads offered by the QSFP-DD connector. Said differently, the backwards compatibility of current QSFP-DD connectors may result in reduced bandwidth in networking applications by underutilizing available connectivity resources. In order to address these issues and others, the devices of the present disclosure provide connectivity circuitry disposed within the networking communication adapter that identifies a noncompliant transceiver/module (e.g., a suboptimal legacy transceiver) and precludes operation of the networking communication adapter with the noncompliant transceiver/module. In doing so, the embodiments of the present application may reduce the inefficiencies of traditional networking connections while also providing new functionality associated with adapting OSFP and QSFP-DD connections. 
     Although described herein with reference to a network connection between a QSFP-DD transceiver and an OSFP connector, the present disclosure contemplates that the features and functionality described herein may also be applicable to adapters used with connections between other types of transceivers and connectors. By way of example, an adapter configured to receive a small form factor pluggable double density (SFP-DD) transceiver would necessarily prevent operation with a QSFP transceiver (e.g., a noncompliant transceiver) due to the physical differences (e.g., different form factors) between these types of connections. Said differently, a QSFP transceiver may not be physically or electrically connected with an SFP-DD connector. The present disclosure, however, contemplates that an adapter for use with, for example, an SFP-DD transceiver may similarly be configured as described herein to preclude operation of such an adapter with a noncompliant transceiver (e.g., any transceiver other than an SFP-DD transceiver). 
     Networking Communication Adapter 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1A-1B , a networking system  100  is illustrated. As shown, the example networking system  100  may include a networking communication adapter  200 , a QSFP-DD transceiver  102 , and associated networking cable  104 . As described hereafter with reference to  FIGS. 2-3 , the networking communication adapter  200  (e.g., adapter  200 ) may include an adapter housing  202  that defines a first end  204  and a second end  206  opposite the first end  204 . The first end  204  may be configured to engage or otherwise physically connect the adapter housing  202  with an OSFP connector (not shown). As described above, applicable OSFP regulations or standards may define the physical dimensions, size, and shape of OSFP transceiver/modules and associated OSFP connectors configured to receive OSFP transceiver/modules. As such, the first end  204  of the adapter housing  202  may be dimensioned (e.g., sized and shaped) to comply with the regulations or standards that govern OSFP connections. In an operational configuration, the first end  204  may provide physical engagement between the adapter housing  202  and an OSFP connector (not shown). 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1A-1B , the second end  206  of the adapter housing  202  may be configured to engage or otherwise physically connect the adapter housing  202  with an QSFP-DD transceiver  102 . In particular, the second end  206  of the adapter housing  202  may be configured to receive the QSFP-DD transceiver  102  inserted therein. As described above, applicable QSFP-DD regulations or standards may define the physical dimensions, size, and shape of QSFP-DD transceiver/modules and associated QSFP-DD connectors configured to receive QSFP-DD transceiver/modules. As such, the second end  206  of the adapter housing  202  may be dimensioned (e.g., sized and shaped) to comply with the regulations or standards that govern QSFP-DD connections. As shown in  FIG. 1A , the QSFP-DD transceiver  102  may include a networking cable  104  (e.g., transmission medium) attached thereto so as to provide signal transmission between the networking communication adapter  200  and components (not shown) positioned on opposite ends of the networking cable  104 . In an operational configuration, as shown in  FIG. 1B , the second end  206  may provide physical engagement between the adapter housing  202  and the QSFP-DD transceiver  102 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2-3 , exploded and cross-sectional views, respectively, of the networking communication adapter  200  are illustrated. As shown, the adapter housing  202  may, in some embodiments, include a bottom backshell  203 , a top backshell  201 , and an inner cage  208 . The bottom backshell  203  may engage or otherwise connect with the top backshell  201  to substantially enclose the components described herein. The combined bottom backshell  203  and top backshell  201  may further support the inner cage  208  within the adapter housing  202 . The inner cage  208  may be configured to, in the operational configuration illustrated in  FIGS. 1B and 3 , support at least a portion of the QSFP-DD transceiver  102  within the adapter housing  202 . As such, the inner cage  208  may be dimensioned (e.g., sized and shaped) as defined by applicable regulations and standards to receive a QSFP-DD transceiver  102  therein. The bottom backshell  203  and the top backshell  201  may be connected via one or more engagement elements (e.g., screws, tabs, fasteners, or the like). Although illustrated with two (2) threaded elements (e.g., screws), the present disclosure contemplates that any mechanism or element configured to secure the bottom backshell  203  to the top backshell  201  may be used based upon the intended application of the adapter housing  202 . 
     The network communication adapter  200  may further include a heat sink  216  and spring members  218  configured to dissipate heat generated by the networking components described herein. The heat sink  216  may define a plurality of fins, pins, or other heat dissipation elements that, in some embodiments, extend along a length of the heat sink  216 . The spring members  218  may be configured to secure the heat sink  216  to the top backshell  201  and may further urge contact between the heat sink  216  and the QSFP-DD transceiver  102  received by the adapter housing  202  via the second end  206 . By way of example, in the operational configuration, the QSFP-DD transceiver  102  within the adapter housing  202 , other circuitry components (e.g., connectivity circuitry described hereafter), and/or engagement with the OSFP connector (not shown) may generate heat during performance of the operations described herein. As such, the heat sink  216  may serve to dissipate heat generated by these components in order to reduce the thermal load of the components. Although illustrated and described herein with reference to a heat sink  216  that defines a plurality of longitudinal fins, the present disclosure contemplates that any heat dissipation element or form of heat dissipation (e.g., conductive, convective, etc.) may be used by the networking communication adapter  200 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 2-3 , the networking communication adapter  200  may include an inner connector  210  positioned within the adapter housing  202 . The inner connector  210  may, in the operational configuration in which the first end  204  engages the OSFP connector (not shown) and the second end  206  receives the QSFP-DD transceiver  102 , operably connect the QSFP-DD transceiver  102  with the OSFP connector (not shown) such that signals may pass therebetween. The adapter housing  202  may provide for the physical connection between the OSFP connector (not shown) and the QSFP-DD transceiver  102 , but the inner connector  210  may electrically connect these components for signal transmission. 
     The inner connector  210  may include a printed circuit board (PCB)  212  proximate the first end  204  of the adapter housing  202 . In an instance in which the first end  204  of the adapter housing  202  engages the OSFP connector (not shown), the PCB  212  may be configured to operably connect the inner connecter  210  with the OSFP connector (not shown). By way of example, the PCB  212  may define a plurality of electrical contacts, connection pads, traces, or the like configured to provide electrical communication between the PCB  212  and the OSFP connector (not shown) in the operational configuration. The PCB  212  may further be positioned by the inner connector  210  proximate the first end  204  of the adapter housing  202  so as to be received by or otherwise electrically connect with corresponding electrical contacts, connection pads, traces, or the like of the OSFP connector (not shown). Said differently, the physical engagement between the first end  204  of the adapter housing  202  and the OSFP connector (not shown) positions the PCB  212  of the inner connector  210  for receipt by a corresponding connection of the OSFP connector (not shown). 
     The inner connector may further include a QSFP-DD connector  214  proximate the second end  206  of the adapter housing  202 , configured to, in the operational configuration, operably couple the inner connector  210  with the QSFP-DD transceiver  102 . In an instance in which the second end  206  of the adapter housing  202  receives the QSFP-DD transceiver  102  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the QSFP-DD connector  214  may be configured to operably connect the inner connector  210  with the QSFP-DD transceiver  102 . By way of example, the QSFP-DD connector  214  may include a plurality of electrical connection pads as illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-4B  configured to provide electrical communication between the QSFP-DD connector  214  and the QSFP-DD transceiver  102 . The QSFP-DD connector  214  may be at least partially disposed within the inner cage  208  proximate the second end  206  of the adapter housing  202  such that physical engagement between the second end  206  of the adapter housing  202  (e.g., the inner cage  208 ) and the QSFP-DD transceiver  102  positions the QSFP-DD connector  214  of the inner connector  210  for receipt of a corresponding printed circuit board (PCB)  106  of the QSFP-DD transceiver  102 . As described hereafter with reference to  FIGS. 4A-4B , the QSFP-DD connector  214  may define a plurality of connection pads on opposite surfaces (e.g., a top and bottom surface) of the QSFP-DD connector  214  so as to electrically connect with opposing sides of the PCB  106  of the QSFP-DD transceiver  102  received therein. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the QSFP-DD connector  214  may be configured to receive the corresponding PCB  106  of the QSFP-DD transceiver  102  such that the PCB  212  of the inner connector  210  and the PCB  106  of the QSFP-DD transceiver  102  are substantially aligned. In conventional networking connections, the dimensions specified by applicable standards or regulations often result in misalignment between PCBs (e.g., PCBs located at differing heights within a housing) such that additional components are necessary to electrically connect these PCBs. By way of example, the dimensions of a QSFP module (e.g., a legacy transceiver) as defined by associated QSFP standards results in a height discrepancy or misalignment between the PCB of the legacy transceiver and the PCB of an associated connector. In order to bridge this discrepancy, traditional networking connections have relied upon flexible circuit boards, stepped/milled circuit boards, and/or additional specialized cables. Each of these conventional techniques, however, increase the overall cost of the networking component while further introducing additional modes of failure. The networking communication adapter  200  described herein, however, is configured to position these respective PCBs (e.g., PCB  212  of the inner connector  210  and the PCB  106  of the QSFP-DD transceiver  102 ) in alignment (e.g., without a difference in height). In doing so, the networking communication adapter  200  may remove the need for additional networking components within the adapter housing  202 . 
     As noted above, in some embodiments, the QSFP-DD connector  214  is configured to receive a corresponding PCB  106  of the QSFP-DD transceiver  102  such that the PCB  212  of the inner connector  210  and the PCB  106  of the QSFP-DD transceiver  106  are substantially aligned. As described herein, substantial alignment may refer to placement of the PCB  106  and the PCB  212  along a common line (e.g., at the same height). In some further embodiments, the QSFP-DD connector  214  may be configured to receive the corresponding PCB  106  of the QSFP-DD transceiver  102  more exactly, such that the PCB  212  of the inner connector  210  and the PCB  106  of the QSFP-DD transceiver  102  are coplanar. As described herein, coplanar may refer to the positioning of PCB  106  and the PCB  212  in a common plane. In order to provide this improved alignment, the networking communication adapter  200  described herein may, in some instances, be configured such that the QSFP-DD transceiver  102  received by the second end  206  of the adapter housing  202  extends beyond an outer edge of the second end  206  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Said differently, the inner cage  208 , inner connector  210 , and/or second end  206  may be dimensioned such that at least a portion of the QSFP-DD transceiver  102  is disposed outside of the adapter housing  202 . In doing so, the networking communication adapter  200  may ensure the necessary space within the adapter housing  202  to provide substantial alignment, and in some cases coplanar alignment, between the PCB  106  and the PCB  212 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4A-4B , top and bottom views, respectively, of connection pads of the QSFP-DD connector  214  are illustrated. As shown, each major surface of the QSFP-DD connector  214  may include a plurality of legacy connection pads  402  and a plurality of QSFP-DD connection pads  404 . The plurality of legacy connections pads  402  may be configured to operably connect a plurality of transmission channels (e.g., four (4) electrical channels found in QSFP-DD transceivers and legacy transceivers) of the QSFP-DD transceiver  102  with the inner connector  210 . The plurality of QSFP-DD connections  404  may be configured to operably connect a plurality of transmission channels (e.g., four (4) electrical channels found only in QSFP-DD transceivers) of the QSFP-DD transceiver  102  with the inner connector  210 . Notwithstanding the connection preclusion techniques described hereafter, insertion of a legacy transceiver (e.g., a QSFP transceiver, a QSFP+ transceiver, a QSFP28 transceiver, or a QSFP56 transceiver) results in connection with only the plurality of legacy connection pads  402 . Said differently, legacy transceivers fail to include transmission lanes for connecting with the QSFP-DD pads  404 . 
     As described hereafter with reference to an example network communication and associated connection preclusion, the inner connector  210  may further include connectivity circuitry configured to, in the operational configuration, enable signal transmission between the OSFP connector (not shown) and the QSFP-DD transceiver  102 . In some instances, the signals transmitted by the QSFP-DD transceiver  102  and the OSFP connector may be of a matching type, encoding, encryption, or the like such that the connectivity circuitry includes passive circuitry elements (e.g., electrical connections, traces, etc.) configured to direct electrical signals between the OSFP connector (not shown) and the QSFP-DD transceiver  102 . 
     In other embodiments, the signals transmitted between the QSFP-DD transceiver  102  and the OSFP connector (not shown) may utilize different forms of encoding such that the connectivity circuitry may include active circuitry (e.g., a controller, a computing device, etc.) configured to convert between these signals to operably connect the OSFP connector (not shown) and the QSFP-DD transceiver  102 . In such an embodiment, the connectivity circuitry may be embodied in any number of different ways and may, for example, include one or more processing devices configured to perform independently. Furthermore, the connectivity circuitry (e.g., controller) may be understood to include a single core processor, a multi-core processor, and/or the like. By way of example, the connectivity circuitry (e.g. controller) may be configured to execute instructions stored in a memory or otherwise accessible to one or more processors of the connectivity circuitry (e.g. controller). Alternatively or additionally, the connectivity circuitry (e.g. controller) may be configured to execute hard-coded functionality. As such, whether configured by hardware or by a combination of hardware with software, the connectivity circuitry (e.g. controller) may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry) capable of performing operations according to an embodiment of the present invention while configured accordingly. 
     Example Methods for Network Communication 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , a method for network communication and connection preclusion is illustrated. The method (e.g., method  500 ) may include the step of monitoring, via the connectivity circuitry, a second end  206  of the adapter housing  202  that receives the QSFP-DD transceiver  102  therein at operation  505 . As described above, the inner connector  210  may include connectivity circuitry configured to, in the operational configuration, operably connect the OSFP connector (not shown) and the QSFP-DD transceiver  102  such that signals may flow therebetween. In some instances, the connectivity circuitry may include passive circuitry elements (e.g., electrical connections, traces, etc.) configured to direct electrical signals. In such an embodiment, the monitoring by the connectivity circuitry at operation  502  may refer to the identification of electrical signals within the plurality of legacy connection pads  402  and/or plurality of QSFP-DD connection pads  404 . Said differently, operation  505 , in some embodiments, may be responsive to the receipt of a QSFP transceiver (or noncompliant transceiver as described hereafter) in that the passive connectivity circuitry components monitor the second end  206  of the adapter housing  202  by determining the presence of electrical signals received from the QSFP-DD connector  214 . In instances in which the connectivity circuitry includes active circuitry elements (e.g., a controller), operation  505  may refer to interrogatory signal(s) transmitted by the connectivity circuitry to the QSFP-DD connector  214  in order to monitor the second end  206  of the adapter housing  202 . 
     The method  500  may include the step of determining, the connectivity circuitry, the con the presence of a noncompliant transceiver received by the second end  206  of the adapter housing  202  at operation  510 . As described above, the backwards compatibility of QSFP-DD connectors allows for legacy transceivers (e.g., prior hardware components that have been superseded in functionality) to be physically inserted into a QSFP-DD connector  214  in an operable fashion. These legacy transceivers, however, are noncompliant transceivers in that they result in reduced bandwidth for the networking communication adapter  200  due to the ability to only utilize four (4) of the available eight (8) transmission lanes. Noncompliant transceivers may include, for example, QSFP transceivers, QSFP+ transceivers, QSFP28 transceivers, and QSFP56 transceivers. At operation  510 , the connectivity circuitry may be configured to identify the presence of a noncompliant transceiver received by the second end  206  by identifying an absence of connectivity associated with at least one QSFP-DD connection pad  404 . 
     By way of example, a QSFP transceiver may be physically inserted into the adapter housing  202  via the second end  206  and connect with one or more of the legacy connection pads  402 . Due to the reduced number of electrical transmission lanes; however, the QSFP transceiver is unable to connect to the QSFP-DD connection pads  404 . Furthermore, the length of these noncompliant or legacy transceivers (e.g., QSFP, QSFP+, QSFP28, QSFP56, etc.) is reduced due to the lack of additional electrical transmission lanes associated with QSFP-DD transceivers such that the noncompliant or legacy transceiver is unable to electrically connect with the QSFP-DD connection pads  404  when received by the second end  206 . As such, the determination at operation  510  may include identifying the absence of connectivity (e.g., an absence of electrical signals, current, etc.) with at least one QSFP-DD connection pad  404  indicating that the transceiver received by the second end of the adapter housing  202  is not a QSFP-DD transceiver  102  (e.g., is a noncompliant transceiver). 
     With reference to operation  515 , the method  500  may include the step of precluding, via the connectivity circuitry, communication between the noncompliant transceiver determined at operation  510  and a first end  204  of the adapter housing  202  that engages the OSFP connector (not shown). In some embodiments, the connectivity circuitry may be configured to ground a connection to at least one legacy connection pad  402 , thereby preventing power to the noncompliant transceiver identified at operation  510 . In an instance in which the connectivity circuitry includes passive circuitry elements (e.g., electrical connections, traces, etc.), the connectivity circuitry may include resistors, capacitors, and/or other circuitry components configured to ground the connection of the noncompliant transceiver. By way of example, the absence of an electrical connection with any of the plurality of QSFP-DD connection pads  404  may be such that the electrical circuitry of the inner connector  210  is open (e.g., incomplete such that current may not flow within the open circuit). In instances in which the connectivity circuitry includes active circuitry components (e.g., a controller, processor, etc.), the connectivity circuitry may preclude communication between the noncompliant transceiver and the first end  204  of the adapter housing  202  by preventing signals from passing therebetween. For example, a microcontroller may iteratively (e.g., at a detection frequency) monitor the connections with the inner connector  210  (e.g., transmit an interrogatory signal or the like) to determine the presence of a noncompliant transceiver as described herein. 
     Although described herein with reference to grounding the connection to at least one legacy connection pad  402 , the present disclosure contemplates that other mechanisms may similarly be used to prevent communication between a noncompliant transceiver and the first end  204  of the adapter housing  202 . By way of example, the connectivity circuitry may be configured to hold the connection in reset, remove power to the adapter  200  (in whole or in part), preclude operation of a communication bus, and/or the like. Said differently, the connectivity circuitry described herein may be configured to employ any mechanism for preventing communication of the adapter  200  in an instance in which a noncompliant transceiver is received. 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , an example circuitry diagram  600  of example connectivity circuitry is illustrated. As shown, a power input  602  of, for example, 3.3 V is provided to the connectivity circuitry. The circuitry  600  includes an example legacy connection pad  402  and an example QSFP-DD pad  404 . In such an embodiment, the connectivity circuitry may include logic components  604  that are configured to determine the absence of connectivity associated with the QSFP-DD connection pad  404  in order to determine the presence of a noncompliant transceiver due to the inability of noncompliant transceivers to electrically engage with the plurality of QSFP-DD connection pads  404 . The logic components  604  may be configured to preclude communication between the first end  204  (and the OSFP connector engaged therewith) and the noncompliant transceiver by resetting or otherwise grounding the circuitry  600  such that electrical signals are unable to pass therethrough. In doing so, the connectivity circuitry of the inner connector  210 , for example circuitry  600 , may prevent the inefficiencies associated with connecting legacy transceiver modules with emerging high bandwidth connectivity solutions. Said differently, method  500  and example circuitry  600  may operate to indicate, to an operator or otherwise, the presence of a noncompliant transceiver and prompt such an operator to replace the noncompliant transceiver with a QSFP-DD transceiver. 
     Example Method of Manufacture 
     With reference to  FIG. 7 , a method of manufacturing a networking communication adapter according to embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. The method (e.g., method  700 ) may include the step of providing an adapter housing at operation  705 . As described above, the adapter housing  202  may, in some embodiments, be formed of a bottom backshell  203 , a top backshell  201 , and an inner cage  208 . The bottom backshell  203  may engage or otherwise connect with the top backshell  201  to substantially enclose the components described herein. The combined bottom backshell  203  and top backshell  201  may further support the inner cage  208  within the adapter housing  202 . In other embodiments, the adapter housing  202  may be formed of a single piece of material. The adapter housing may be formed by any method (e.g., extrusion, machining, injection molding, casting, etc.) and may similarly be formed of any material used in networking communication systems (e.g., metals, polymers, alloys, etc.). 
     The method  700  may also include defining a first end configured to engage an OSFP connection at operation  710 . As described above, the first end  204  may be configured to engage or otherwise physically connect the adapter housing  202  with an OSFP connector. Applicable OSFP regulations or standards may define the physical dimensions, size, and shape of OSFP transceiver/modules and associated OSFP connectors configured to receive OSFP transceiver/modules. As such, the first end  204  of the adapter housing  202  may be dimensioned (e.g., sized and shaped) to comply with the regulations or standards that govern OSFP connections. In an operational configuration, the first end  204  may provide physical engagement between the adapter housing  202  and an OSFP connector (not shown). 
     The method  700  may also include defining a second end opposite the first end configured to receive a QSFP-DD transceiver therein at operation  715 . The second end  206  of the adapter housing  202  may be configured to engage or otherwise physically connect the adapter housing  202  with an QSFP-DD transceiver  102 . In particular, the second end  206  of the adapter housing  202  may be configured to receive the QSFP-DD transceiver  102  inserted therein. As described above, applicable QSFP-DD regulations or standards may define the physical dimensions, size, and shape of QSFP-DD transceiver/modules and associated QSFP-DD connectors configured to receive QSFP-DD transceiver/modules. As such, the second end  206  of the adapter housing  202  may be dimensioned (e.g., sized and shaped) to comply with the regulations or standards that govern QSFP-DD connections. In an operational configuration, the second end  206  may provide physical engagement between the adapter housing  202  and the QSFP-DD transceiver  102 . 
     The method  700  may also include positioning an inner connector within the adapter housing at operation  720 . The inner connector  210  may include a printed circuit board (PCB)  212  proximate the first end  204  of the adapter housing  202 . In an instance in which the first end  204  of the adapter housing  202  engages the OSFP connector (not shown), the PCB  212  may be configured to operably connect the inner connecter  210  with the OSFP connector (not shown). The PCB  212  may further be positioned by the inner connector  210  proximate the first end  204  of the adapter housing  202  so as to electrically connect with corresponding electrical contacts, connection pads, traces, or the like of an OSFP connector (not shown). Said differently, the physical engagement between the first end  204  of the adapter housing  202  and the OSFP connector (not shown) positions the PCB  212  of the inner connector  210  for engagement with a corresponding connection of the OSFP connector (not shown). 
     The inner connector may further include a QSFP-DD connector  214  proximate the second end  206  of the adapter housing  202 , configured to, in the operational configuration, operably couple the inner connector  210  with the QSFP-DD transceiver  102 . In an instance in which the second end  206  of the adapter housing  202  receives the QSFP-DD transceiver  102 , QSFP-DD connector  214  may be configured to operably connect the inner connector  210  with the QSFP-DD transceiver  102 . The QSFP-DD connector  214  may be at least partially disposed within the inner cage  208  proximate the second end  206  of the adapter housing such that physical engagement between the second end  206  of the adapter housing  202  (e.g., the inner cage  208 ) and the QSFP-DD transceiver  102  positions the QSFP-DD connector  214  of the inner connector  210  for receipt of a corresponding printed circuit board (PCB)  106  of the QSFP-DD transceiver  102 . As described above, the inner connector  210  may be defined so such that the QSFP-DD connector  214  is configured to receive a corresponding PCB  106  of the QSFP-DD transceiver  102  such that the PCB  214  of the inner connector  210  and the PCB  106  of the QSFP-DD transceiver  102  are substantially aligned or are further coplanar. 
     Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.