Suggested 100G QSFP28 Transceiver Solutions for Data Centers

In recent years, QSFP28 transceiver module has upgraded the 100G market which can support the data transmission mode of 4×25G. Currently many data centers have already adopted QSFP28 transceivers for 100G migration. Of course, there are many other types of transceivers can transfer the 100G network, but QSFP28 modules are still considered to be the optimal choice. This post is going to present some useful 100G QSFP28 transceiver solutions for data centers. Maybe one of them is exactly what you need.

Basics of QSFP28 Optical Transceiver

QSFP28 transceiver is designed for high-density and high-speed for applications in telecommunications. The transceiver offers four channels of different signals with data rates ranging from 25 Gbps up to potentially 40 Gbps, and meets 100 Gbps Ethernet (4x25 Gbps) and 100 Gbps 4X InfiniBand Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) requirements. QSFP28 optical transceiver has various advantages. It has a smaller size than other 100G modules, thus it is ideal for high-density ports on the switch. Power consumption of QSFP28 transceiver is usually the lowest of less than 3.5W. In addition, QSFP28 increases the transmission capacity of every lane from 10G to 25G, which can save much cost for each bit.

QSFP28 Transceiver Solutions

QSFP28 transceivers can be categorized into several types based on different IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers ) or MSA (Multi-source Agreement) standards.

100GBASE-SR4 QSFP28

100GBASE-SR4 is the IEEE standard for 100G QSFP28 that supports short distance over multimode. It can reach 100G transmission up to 70m over OM3 and 100m over OM4. With the MTP/MPO interface, 100GASE-SR4 QSFP28 transceiver supports four lanes of 25G dual way transmission over eight fibers.

100GBASE-LR4 QSFP28

100GBASE-LR4 is also the IEEE standard for QSFP28 module but supports long distance transmission for the maximum of 10km over single-mode fiber. 100GBASE-LR4 QSFP28 is special for adopting the WDM technologies for four 25G lanes transmission over four different wavelengths. In addition, its duplex LC interface supports the 100G dual-way transmission.

100GBASE-PSM4 QSFP28

100GBASE-PSM4 is the standard defined by MSA for the point-to-point 100G link over eight single-mode fibers reaching the length of up to 500m. 100GBASE-PSM4 QSFP28 transceiver uses four identical and independent lanes for each signal direction with each lane carrying a 25G optical transmission. With the MTP/MPO interface, optical fiber ribbon cables with MTP/MPO connectors can be plugged into the QSFP28 module.

100GBASE-CWDM4 QSFP28

100GBASE-CWDM4 standard was released by CWDM MSA to support 100G network for up to 2km. It uses the CWDM technology to reduce the transmission on 8 fibers (4 optical transmitters and four optical receivers) into 2 fibers. This transceiver is similar to 100GBASE-LR4 QSFP28 but has a shorter transmission range and lower cost.

Conclusion

In a word, QSFP28 modules are suggested transceiver solutions for upgrading the data center 100G network. The 100GBASE-SR4, 100GBASE-LR4, 100GBASE-PSM4, and 100GBASE-CWDM4 QSFP28 transceivers mentioned above are the most popular ones to ensure the high-speed data transmission at either short or long distance. FS.COM offers both generic and compatible QSFP28 modules according to your demands. Other than QSFP28 transceivers, there are also many other types of 100G transceivers, such as CFP, CFP2, CFP4, CXP transceivers. For more information, please kindly visit FS.COM or contact us directly via sales@fs.com.

Source:http://www.fiber-optic-cable-sale.com/suggested-100g-qsfp28-transceiver-solutions-data-centers.html

100G Optical Transceiver Solutions

Network has been rapidly developed over the years. People are always dreaming of entering into the world of higher bandwidth. And now the dream has come true since we already reach the 100 gigabit Ethernet (100 GbE) networking. This technology enables the transmission at rates of 100 gigabits per second (100 Gbit/s). The standard was first defined by the IEEE 802.3ba in 2010. To accommodate the trend, different types of 100G optical transceiver emerge as a reflection of the development. QSFP28 (quad small form-factor pluggable 28), CFP (centum form-factor pluggable) and CXP (centum extended-capability form-factor pluggable) are most commonly used optical transceiver solutions for 100G active equipment. Today, the article will mainly introduce these three solutions.

100G Transceiver Solutions

CFP

Specified by a multi-source agreement (MSA) between competing manufacturers, CFP was designed to replace many former transceivers like SFP+, SFP, XFP with a significantly larger support of 100 Gbps. The electrical connection of a CFP uses 10 x 10Gbps lanes in each direction (RX, TX). The optical connection can support both 10 x 10Gbps and 4 x 25Gbps variants. In addition, there are another two CFP next-generation 100G form factors — CFP2 and CFP4. Compared to the existing CFP, CFP2 and CFP4 are respectively double and quadruple front panel port density. All of them are now available on the market.

QSFP28

QSFP28 transceiver is designed for 100G Ethernet which uses the 4 x 25 wiring specification. It has the same size as 40G QSFP+ but with a higher performance. The 100G QSFP28 is implemented with four 25Gbps lanes. “28” stands for the highest possible rate of 4x28Gbps in transmission. Two basic versions of QSFP28 transceivers are 100GBASE-SR4 QSFP28 transceiver and 100GBASE-LR4 QSFP28 transceiver, which are respectively used for multimode fiber (MMF) and single-mode fiber (SMF) 100G applications. 100GBASE-SR4 QSFP28 operates at multimode fiber for a distance of 100 m. 100GBASE-LR4 QSFP28 can support a much longer distance of 10 km.

CXP

As a complement to CFP, CXP is also specified by MSA aiming at the clustering and high-speed computing markets. CXP has a higher density network interface with 45 mm in length and 27 mm in width, making it slightly larger than an XFP or 1/4 size of a CFP transceiver. It has a form-factor pluggable active device interface with 12 transmit and 12 receive lanes, capable of supporting bit-rates in excess of 10 Gbps per lane on a variety of optical transmission technologies.

Future Trend of Optical Transceivers in Data Centers

In the future, higher bit rates over 100G are the inevitable trend in data centers. The next data center developments will be following the 4x trend set by 40G and 100G, such as 200G, 400G, etc. Accordingly, optical transceivers should keep up with the steps and satisfy higher demands.

In 200G applications, next generation switching ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) are expected to have native port speeds of 50G and 128 ports, which correspond to a net throughput of 6.4 Tbps. This means that 200G QSFP modules (QSFP56, 4 x 50 Gbps) would result in a front panel bandwidth of 6.4 Tbps (32 x 200 Gbps).

For 400G applications, the module must accommodate either 16 x 25G or 8 x 50G electrical input lanes, which exceeds the 4 lanes defined for the QSFP. 400G transceivers will have larger size than QSFP. However, meeting the 3.5W power limit of QSFP modules appears infeasible for some 400G implementations. Thus, proposals for larger form factors for 400G can be anticipated from CFP MSA, which has had large success in 100G with CFP, CFP2, and CFP4. In this case, a key requirement will be that the size allows for at least 16 ports on the front panel in order to satisfy a net throughput of 6.4 Tbps (16 x 400 Gbps, and possibly more).

Conclusion

The market of 100G optical transceivers is accelerating. It is no doubt that more 100G transceivers and other assemblies will be deployed in data centers. QSFP28, CFP series and CXP are presently the most suitable solutions for 100G applications. Definitely one of them can solve your project needs.

Source:http://www.fiber-optical-networking.com/100g-optical-transceiver-solutions.html

QSFP28 Transceiver

QSFP28 is a 4-channel transceiver available for the transmission and reception of light and electricity data in fiber communication. 28 stands for the highest possible rate of 4x28Gbps in transmission. Compared with SFP+ and product, it is capable of transmitting the information on 100G Ethernet and consumes lower power for over 50% reduction. In general, QSFP28 is an evolvement version of QSFP, it is used on 100G Ethernet while QSFP transceiver on 40G Ethernet. The application of QSFP28 is often employed on high-speed interconnects within and between switches, routers and transport equipment, on server-server clusters, super-computing interconnections and on various backplanes.