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“SR” refers to 100m reach using multi-mode fiber, and “8” implies there are 8 optical channels. Each of the 8 optical channels from an SR8 module are carried on separate fibers, resulting in a total of 16 fibers (8 Tx and 8 Rx). Each optical channel operates at 50Gb/s. The SR8 module uses an MPO-16 APC connector to connect to 8 fiber pairs. The SR8 module can be configured for 400G- SR8, 2x 200G-SR4 and (operating at ½ rate) 2x 100G-SR4.
“VSR” refers to 50m reach using multimode fiber, and the “4” implies there are 4 optical channels. Each of the 4 optical channels are carried on separate fibers, resulting in a total of 4 pairs of fibers. Each optical channel operates at 100Gb/s. There are two IEEE defined standards for 100G/wave MMF optics: 400GBASE-SR4 (for 100m reach over parallel OM4 MMF), and 400GBASE-VR4 (for 50m reach over parallel OM4 MMF).
“DR” / “XDR” / “LR” refer to 500m / 2km / 10km reach using single-mode fiber, and “4” implies there are 4 optical channels. Each of the 4 optical channels are carried on separate fibers, resulting in a total of 4 pairs of fibers. Each optical channel operates at 100Gb/s. The DR4 / XDR4 / PLR4 modules use the widely deployed MPO-12 APC SMF connector to connect to 4 fiber pairs.
“FR” / “LR” refers to 2km / 10km reach using single-mode fiber, and “4” implies there are 4 optical channels. Unlike the DR4 and SR8, all 4 optical channels from an FR4 / LR4 are multiplexed onto one fiber, resulting in a total of 2 fibers from the module (1 Tx and 1 Rx). Each optical channel operates at 100Gb/s. The modules use a duplex LC optical connector.
QSFP-DD is a highly versatile and high-density transceiver designed to support 400 Gbps data rates. It features 8 lanes of 50 Gbps each, using PAM4 (Pulse Amplitude Modulation with 4 levels) signaling.
Data Rate: Up to 400 Gbps
Electrical Lanes: 8 lanes of 50 Gbps (PAM4)
Compatibility: Backward compatible with QSFP, QSFP+, and QSFP28 modules
QSFP56-DD is an evolution of the QSFP-DD form factor, maintaining double density while offering enhanced performance with 8 lanes of 50 Gbps each, using PAM4 signaling.
Data Rate: Up to 400 Gbps
Electrical Lanes: 8 lanes of 50 Gbps (PAM4)
Compatibility: Backward compatible with QSFP, QSFP+, QSFP28, and QSFP56 modules
QSFP112 is a future-focused transceiver, designed to support higher data rates with 4 lanes of 100 Gbps each, using PAM4 signaling, offering a significant performance upgrade.
Data Rate: Up to 400 Gbps
Electrical Lanes: 4 lanes of 100 Gbps (PAM4)
Compatibility: Expected to be backward compatible with QSFP, QSFP+, QSFP28, and QSFP56 modules
The OSFP (Octal Small Form-factor Pluggable) features 8 electrical lanes capable of 50 Gbps each, using PAM4 (Pulse Amplitude Modulation with 4 levels) signaling. Slightly larger than the QSFP-DD form factor, the OSFP is optimized for thermal performance and power handling.
Data Rate: Up to 400 Gbps
Electrical Lanes: 8 lanes of 50 Gbps (PAM4)
Compatibility: Not directly backward compatible with QSFP modules, but adapters are available to provide some level of compatibility
The QSFP-DD form factor is based on the QSFP form factor with an extra row of electrical pins added. It allows strict backwards compatibility with 40G and 100G QSFP modules. To dissipate the larger power of 400G modules, the QSFP-DD relies on an external heatsink that is part of the switch platform – i.e. when a QSFP-DD module is inserted into a QSFP-DD port, the platform must provide a heatsink that makes contact with the QSFP- DD module with sufficient pressure to guarantee a low thermal resistance interface.
The OSFP form factor was designed from the ground up for optimal performance at 400G and 800G. It allows for backwards compatibility to 40G and 100G QSFP optics using the ADPT-O-Q-100G passive adapter. A key difference of the OSFP is that the heatsink is integrated into the module case itself. This has the advantage of ensuring the best possible thermal contact between the power dissipating components and the heatsink, enabling better thermal performance. The OSFP also has approximately 50% more surface area than the QSFP-DD, enhancing the ability of the module to dissipate heat.
400G platforms allow data centers and high-performance computing environments to address growing needs for higher bandwidth at lower cost and power per gigabit. Key benefits include:
• Increase switching bandwidth by a factor of 4. Migrating from 100G to 400G systems increases the bandwidth per RU from 3.2-3.6T to 12.8-14.4T / RU.
• Enable higher density 100G ports using optical or copper breakouts. A 32 port 1RU 400G system enables 128 100GE ports / RU. This enables a single Top of Rack (TOR) leaf switch to connect to multiple racks of servers or Network Interface Cards (NICs).
• Reduce the number of optical fiber links, connectors, and patch panels by a factor of 4 when compared to 100G platforms for the same aggregate bandwidth.
• Enable 2-4X lower cost and power / bit, reducing capex and opex.
There are two form-factors defined for 400G optical modules and cables:
• The OSFP: The OSFP stands for “Octal Small Form-factor Pluggable”. It is described as an “Octal” module because the electrical interface of an OSFP connector consists of 8 electrical lanes, running at 50Gb/s each, for a total of bandwidth of 400Gb/s.
• The QSFP-DD: The QSFP-DD stands for “Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable (QSFP) – Double Density (DD)”. The electrical interface of a QSFP-DD connector also has 8 electrical lanes, running at 50Gb/s each, for a total bandwidth of 400Gb/s. The QSFP-DD form factor is similar to the QSFP form factor, except a second row of electrical contacts has been added to increase the number of high-speed electrical lanes from 4 (in a QSFP) to 8 (in a QSFP-DD).
No. The OSFP and the QSFP-DD are two physically distinct form factors. If you have an OSFP system, then OSFP optics and cables must be used. If you have a QSFP-DD system, then QSFP-DD optics and cables must be used.
Yes. The OSFP and QSFP-DD describe the physical form factor of the module. As long as the Ethernet media types are the same (i.e. both ends of the link are 400G-DR4, or 400G-FR4 etc.), OSFP and QSFP-DD modules will interop with each other.
Yes, the 400G-DR4 / XDR4 / PLR4 transceivers can interoperate with each other, with the max distance limited by the shortest reach transceiver.
400G
transceivers, Active Optical Cables (AOCs), and Direct Attach Copper (DAC)
cables are critical components for high-speed networking in modern data
centers, enterprise networks, and high-performance computing environments.
These components support data rates of up to 400 Gigabits per second (Gbps),
providing the bandwidth necessary to handle today's data-intensive
applications.