What's the Difference Between Fiber Optic Transceivers?

SFP+, SFP+, SFP28, QSFP+ and QSFP28are all types of optical module packages. These hot-swappable SFP+ optical modules can be used to connect network switches and other network devices for data transmission. Read this article to learn more about YXFiber fiber optic communications.

In the field of fiber optic communication connections, five form factor optical modules are more popular than others. The following compares the four most widely used SFP transceivers.

What are the different types of optical module packaging?

SFP

SFP stands for "Small Form Factor Connector." These connectors are small in size and support hot-plugging. They were originally designed to occupy less space in congested networks, thus enabling higher traffic density. They use an LC interface and are only half the size of previous generation GBIC transceivers. SFP transceiver modules support SONET, Gigabit Ethernet, Fibre Channel, and other common interfaces. They can handle copper and fiber traffic from 1 to 10 Gbps. This makes SFP one of the most widely used connectors on the market.

SFP+

SFP+ and SFP have the same external dimensions. SFP+ packaged optical modules offer transmission rates of 6G, 8G, and 10G. This package type is used in 6G/8GFC optical modules, 10G optical modules, 10G Ethernet modules, 10G DAC high-speed cables, and 10G AOC active optical cables. The SFP+ series is primarily used in 10G (10GBASE-SR) Ethernet links in data centers.

SFP28

The SFP28 is an enhanced version of the SFP+, with the same size but supporting a single-channel speed of 25Gb/s. The SFP28 provides an efficient solution for upgrading 10G-25G-100G networks, meeting the continuously growing demands of next-generation data center networks.

QSFP+

QSFP is a further extension of SFP, using two pairs of optical fibers. The "Q" stands for "four-core," and the additional fiber pair significantly enhances data transmission capabilities. QSFP connectors maintain a compact size and hot-plug capability, and continue to support Ethernet and fiber optic communications. It also supports InfiniBand.

It offers single-channel data transmission rates up to 1 Gbps, supports 4x1G cabling and stackable network designs, enabling even higher throughput.

QSFP28

The QSFP28 package type was developed to meet the requirements of 100G applications. It can simultaneously support 4 channels of transmission, each channel with a data rate of 25Gbit/s, achieving a transmission rate of 100Gbps through 4 channels. It can meet the application requirements of 100G Ethernet (4×25Gbps) and EDR InfiniBand.

FAQs

Q: What is the basic definition and application of an SFP optical module?

A: A Small Pluggable (SFP) transceiver is an optical module used in telecommunications and data communications applications. This compact, hot-pluggable device connects to network equipment motherboards – such as switches, routers, or media converters – via fiber optic or copper network cables. SFP transceivers are used in a variety of applications, including telecommunications, data communications, and multiprotocol systems. They support speeds up to 1 Gbps and comply with the IEEE 802.3 standard and SFF-8472 MSA.

Q: What is the difference between a single-mode SFP transceiver and a multimode SFP transceiver?

A: The main difference between single-mode and multimode SFP optical modules lies in the fiber optic cable used. Single-mode units are ideal for long-distance single-mode fiber transmission because they can transmit over much longer distances compared to multimode fiber. Single-mode has a much smaller core size and allows only one optical path, significantly reducing the distance the light travels. This leads to signal attenuation and interference over long distances. On the other hand, multimode SFPs are designed for short-distance transmission, where the larger core allows for optical transmission in multiple modes or paths, but they also carry a higher risk of signal attenuation during transmission.

Q: When should I seek help to choose the right transceiver between SFP, SFP+, SFP28, QSFP, or QSFP28?

A: To choose the right transceiver for a given network, it is important to understand the required speed, whether copper or fiber optic cabling is used, how far the signal must travel, and other factors related to the specific network design. Different types offer different speeds and bandwidth capacities, so some types may be more suitable than others depending on the application requirements. Seeking professional advice ensures that current network needs are met while also considering future scalability, thereby maximizing the performance at the cost of the chosen transceiver.