The continued acceleration of network capacity and link transmission bandwidth is driving the need for new cabling and connectivity solutions for next generation optical networks.  Radical new architectures like co-packaged optics will be used to facilitate increased network capacities throughout the next decade and as early as 2023 for anticipated 51.2Tb switching.  These new architectures will require the adoption of new connectivity and cabling solutions as well as deployment techniques.  Standards bodies and MSAs are moving to define and document the cabling and connector requirements for emerging link designs.  This session will cover industry direction, new technologies and the accompanying standards activity.