5 min read

Network Fiber Transceivers: A Comprehensive Guide

Network Fiber Transceivers: A Comprehensive Guide

Still asking for GBICs? Nothing says “I’ve been around” like referring to a transceiver as a GBIC, but I absolutely love hearing it! This guide will walk you through the different fiber transceiver technologies that are most popular today.

Since 1995, we’ve seen fiber transceivers come in more than 15 different form factors, but the SFP and the QSFP modules have paved this road of evolution.

Exploring the Spectrum of Optical Transceivers: From SFP to QSFP-DD

Wait, what?? What is an optical transceiver?  Optical transceivers are hardware components that send and receive data over fiber optic cabling by converting electrical signals into light pulses, and then back again to electrical signals on the other side. 

Compared to copper media, Fiber optic cabling can transport data over much longer distances, at much higher speeds, is about half the diameter, and is immune to electrical interference.

So, what options do we have?  Following the Gigabit Interface Converter (GBIC), Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) were almost 1/3 of the size and by design the same size as an RJ-45 port.  Prior to the SFP, the max number of fiber interfaces a single line card or 1RU switch allowed was (16) X2 ports in a WS-X6516. So, the SFP became the gold standard and remains in the nomenclature today. The ‘Q’ in QSFP represents quad lanes available for transmitting. And the latest OSFP represents an Octal Small Form-Factor Pluggable with 8 lanes.

Diagram of optical transceiver evolution: 1G (GBIC, SFP) to 800G (OSFP), highlighting increasing data transmission capabilities.

Types of Optical Transceivers

There are 9 primary versions of the SFP, QSFP, and OSFP that allow different transmission speeds, and there are various models within each of those categories as well that offer varying connectors, distances, media, etc.

  1. SFP
  2. SFP+
  3. SFP28
  4. QSFP+
  5. QSFP28
  6. QSFP56
  7. QSFP112
  8. QSFP-DD
  9. OSFP 

SFP  100mb and 1Gbps transmissions over ethernet, as well as 2G and 4G over Fibre Channel. These modules offer RJ-45 or LC connectors and transmits/receives over a single channel. There are 9 different options differing by distance, media, and 2 that use the fiber strands differently (channel, lane, and path are used interchangeably).

Edgeium SFP transceiver module for 100mb and 1Gbps Ethernet via fiber.   SFPs allow SMF or MMF connections via an LC connector, or standard copper cabling via an RJ-45 connector.

Transceiver

Max Distance

Media

Connectors

Special Feature

1000Base-T

100m

Copper

RJ-45

 

1000Base -SR

550m

MMF

LC

 

1000Base -LX

10km

SMF

LC

 

1000Base -EX

40km

SMF

LC

 

1000Base -ZX

80km

SMF

LC

 

1000Base -EZX

120km

SMF

LC

 

1000Base -XZX

160km

SMF

LC

 

1000Base -BIDI

120km

SMF

LC

Bi-directional support

1000Base -CWDM

80km

SMF

LC

 

"Coarse" Wavelength Division Multiplexing

 

A quick note on the BiDi and CWDM parts. Both of these use a technology known as Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM). WDM allows the transceiver to transmit and receive 2 different wavelengths in opposing directions over 1 fiber effectively doubling the throughput capacity of the transceiver. A 10Gbps WDM transceiver allows 20Gbps of transmission.

Illustration of a standard fiber transceiver compared to a WDM transceiver.  Standard fiber  transceivers send and receive using a fixed wavelength.  WDM can modify the wavelength so that more of the fiber can be used without interfering with other light transmissions on the same fiber.

SFP+ This is an “enhanced” version of the SFP that supports data rates of 10Gbps, as well as 4G, 8G, and 16G over Fibre Channel.  The SFP+ also communicates over a single lane and utilizes LC or RJ-45 connectors.

Edgeium 25GBASE SFP28 transceiver module with 850nm MMF laser.

Transceiver

Max Distance

Media

Connectors

Special Feature

10GBase-T

80m

Copper

RJ-45

 

10GBase-USR

100m

MMF

LC

 

10GBase-SR

300m

MMF

LC

 

10GBase-LRM

220m

MMF

LC

 

10GBase-LR

10km

SMF

LC

 

10GBase-ER

40km

SMF

LC

 

10GBase-ZR

100km

SMF

LC

 

10GBase-BIDI

80km

SMF

LC

Bi-directional support

10GBase-CWDM

80km

SMF

LC

Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing

 

Edgeium SFP-10G-SR-EDGE transceiver samples arranged in a semi-circle.

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SFP28  Also the same physical characteristics as the SFP and SFP+, but with an upgraded electrical interface that can handle 25Gbps per lane over ethernet and 32Gbps over Fibre Channel.  All SFP28 transceivers utilize LC connectors.

Edgeium 25GBASE SFP28 transceiver module for 25Gbps Ethernet via fiber.   SFP28s allow SMF or MMF connections via an LC connector.

Transceiver

Max Distance

Media

Connectors

Special Feature

25GBase-SR

100m

MMF

LC

 

10/25GBase-SR

100m

MMF

LC

Compatible with SFP+ and SFP28 ports

25GBase-ESR

400m

MMF

LC

 

10/25GBase-ESR

400m

MMF

LC

Compatible with SFP+ and SFP28 ports

25GBase-LR

10km

SMF

LC

 

10/25GBase-LR

10km

SMF

LC

Compatible with SFP+ and SFP28 ports

25GBase-ER

40km

SMF

LC

 

25GBase-BIDI

80km

SMF

LC

Bi-directional support

 

QSFP+  The “Quad” Small Form-Factor Pluggable (QSFP) introduces 4 channels over a single fiber in a slightly larger form-factor.to allow 4x 10Gbps transmission totaling a 40Gbps throughput.  The QSFP+ also introduces MPO and MPT connection options.  MPO/MPT are capable of bundling multiple fibers in a single connector to support greater throughput.

Edgeium 100GBASE-SR4 QSFP28 transceiver allowing 40Gbs transmission via fiber.   QSFP+s allow SMF or MMF connections via an LC, MPO, or MPT connectors.

Transceiver

Max Distance

Media

Connectors

Special Feature

40GBase-SR4

150m

MMF

MPO/MPT

 

40GBase-ESR4

400m

MMF

MPO/MPT

 

40GBase-IR4

40km

SMF

LC

 

40GBase-LR4

10km

SMF

LC

 

40GBase-SWDM4

150m

MMF

LC

 

40GBase-LX4

150m/10km

MMF/SMF

LC

 

40GBase-ER4

30km

SMF

LC

 

40GBase-BD

150m

MMF

LC

 

 

Diagram of wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) with LC connectors for QSFP+ transceivers, showing 4 Tx and 4 Rx channels at 850nm, 880nm, 910nm, and 940nm.

QSFP28 The QSFP28 simply added 4 channels using the SFP28 technology allowing 4x 25Gbps per channel to total 100Gbps throughput capability.

Edgeium 100GBASE QSFP28 transceiver, supporting 4x 25Gbps channels allows 100Gbs transmission via fiber.  QSFP28s allow SMF or MMF connections via an LC, MPO, or MPT connectors.

Transceiver

Max Distance

Media

Connectors

Special Feature

100GBase-SR4

100m

MMF

MPO/MTP

 

100GBase-ESR4

300m

MMF

MPO/MTP

 

100GBase-PSM4

2km

SMF

MPO/MTP

 

100GBase-SWDM4

150m

MMF

LC

 

100GBase-IR4

2km

SMF

LC

 

100GBase-ECWDM

10km

SMF

LC

 

100GBase-LR4

10km

SMF

LC

 

100GBase-ER4L

40km

SMF

LC

 

100GBase-ZR4

80km

SMF

LC

 

100GBase SL-DR

500m

SMF

LC

 

100GBase SL-FR

2km

SMF

LC

 

100GBase SL-LR

10km

SMF

LC

 

 

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QSFP56 - The QSFP56 is a slightly more complex improvement of the QSFP28 and was designed to support 200Gbps of throughput. The primary change is the modulation technology which uses PAM-4 rather than NRZ. Without going too much into the details, just think of NRZ as having a maximum transmission value of 25Gbps where PAM-4 allows 50Gbps. Rather than 4x25Gbps in the QSFP28, the QSFP56 transmits over 4 independent channels at 50Gbps totaling 200Gbps throughput. 

Edgeium 200GBASE QSFP56 transceiver, supporting 4x 50Gbps channels allowing 200Gbs transmission via fiber.  QSFP56s offer SMF or MMF connections via LC, MPO, or MPT connectors.

Modulation is the process of converting data into radio waves. After the light signal is generated, it needs to be modulated, or packaged, with the electrical data signal.

Transceiver

Max Distance

Media

Connectors

Special Feature

200GBase-SR4

100m

MMF

MTP/MPO-12 UPC

4x50G PAM4

200GBase-FR4

2km

SMF

LC

4x 50G PAM4

QSFP112 The QSFP112 pushes throughput capability to 400G. Uses 4 optical pairs, each channel operates at 50Gbps PAM4, resulting in a total of 8 fibers (4x TX and 4x RX). These transceivers can be used to connect a single 400G connection, or break out to 4x100G with a compatible cable.

Edgeium 400GBASE transceiver, supporting 4x 100Gbps channels allowing 400Gbs transmission via MMF and MTP or MPO connectors..

Transceiver

Max Distance

Media

Connectors

Special Feature

400GBase-SR4

100m

MMF

MTP/MPO-12 APC

4x100G PAM4

400GBase-DR4

500m

MMF

MTP/MPO-12 APC

4x 106.25G PAM4

 

QSFP-DD The QSFP-DD brings “double density” to the party. The QSFP-DD is built with an additional row of contacts allowing 4 channels of high-speed transmission up to 100Gbps totaling 400G throughput capability.

Edgeium 400GBASE QSFP-DD transceiver, supporting 8x 50Gbps channels allowing 400Gbs transmission via fiber.  QSFP-DDs allow SMF or MMF connections via LC, MPO, or MPT connectors.

Transceiver

Max Distance

Media

Connectors

Special Feature

400GBase-SR8

100m

MMF

MTP/MPO-16 APC

8x 50G PAM4

400GBase-SR4.2

150m

MMF

MTP/MPO-12 UPC

8x 50G PAM4

400GBase-DR4

500m

SMF

MTP/MPO-12 APC

 

400GBase-FR

2km

SMF

MTP/MPO-12 APC

 

400GBase-LR

10km

SMF

MTP/MPO-12 APC

 

400GBase-FR4

2km

SMF

LC Duplex

 

400GBase-LR4

10km

SMF

LC Duplex

 

 

OSFP The OSFP or Optical Small Form-factor Pluggable doubles the capacity of the QSFP-DD. This transceiver has 8 channels for transmission each capable of 100Gbps totaling 800Gbps throughput capability with development of 200Gbps channels in the works totaling 1.6TB.  Some OSFP modules allow a "breakout mode" which enables the transceiver to connect with multiple lower bandwidth applications including QSFP-DD, QSFP56, QSFP28, and even some SFP28 and SFP+ form factors.

Edgeium 800GBASE OSFP transceiver, supporting 8x 100Gbps channels allowing 800Gbs transmission via fiber.  OSFPs allow SMF or MMF connections via LC, MPO, or MPT connectors.

Transceiver

Max Distance

Media

Connectors

Special Feature

800GBase-SR8

100m

MMF

2x MPO-12 APC

8x100G PAM4

800GBase-2DR4

500m

SMF

2x MPO-12 APC

8x100G PAM4

800GBase-2PLR4

10km

SMF

2x MPO-12 APC

8x100G PAM4

800GBase-2FR4

2km

SMF

2x LC

8x100G PAM4

800GBase-2LR4

10km

SMF

2x LC

8x100G PAM4

 

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Edgeium Network Solutions

Edgeium transceivers, AOCs, DACs, and jumpers are the highest quality third party parts in the industry and cost up to 95% off OEM list prices. Edgeium brand products are nearly identical to OEM products in functionality, look, weight and feel. No special command line interface (CLI) commands are required for our products to work.

Quote from Network Manager who has had a good experience using Edgeium optics.

In this blog post, we’ve explored optical transceivers from SFP to QSFP-DD, highlighting their evolution in response to the growing demands for speed and efficiency in network infrastructure. Whether you're upgrading an existing system or designing a new one, understanding the capabilities and specific applications of each transceiver type is essential.

As technology continues to advance, staying informed about these developments will ensure your network is ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow's data transmission demands.

Ready to Upgrade Your Network?

Ensure your network is equipped with the best transceivers in the industry. Contact us today to learn more about our products and how they can enhance your network performance.

 

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