A Better Choice for 100G Ethernet

With the requirements for  network speeds and bandwidth raised, 10G and 40G hasn’t been able to keep pace with it. Naturally, 100G comes into light, in which QSFP28 optical module offers a better choice for 100G Ethernet and becomes the universal data center form factor for 100G optical transmission. This article will have a brief introduction to it in these aspects.

To some degree, there is no doubt that QSFP28 transceiver has various advantages to make itself more popular than other 100G optic products. In order to deploy 100G Ethernet network better, QSFP28 optical transceiver with a strong improvement is designed to increase port density and decrease power consumption with a lower cost:

Higher Port Density: As we all know, the first generation of 100G transceiver is CFP, designed with a very large form factor. As for the next generation, CFP2 and CFP4, although their sizes are decreased a lot, and they are still larger than 40G QSFP+ optical transceiver. However, QSFP28 is published soon as the smallest 100G form factor transceiver with the same footprint and panel as QSFP+ transceiver. In general, with its high port density, we can install up to 36 QSFP28 on a 1RU switch on the front panel.

Lower Power Consumption: As for the general 100G optics, their power consumption ranges from 6W to 24W. In the contrast with these optics, QSFP28 transceiver transmits signals with the lowest power, less than 3.5 W. In short, QSFP28 transceiver is the most ideal solution for 100G transmission with the lowest power consumption at present.

Lower Cost: The deployment of 100G Ethernet network with QSFP28 transceiver can save a lot. For one thing, it can save considerable amount of money due  to higher port density and lower power consumption. For another thing, it is implemented with four lanes, increasing the transmission capacity of every lane from 10G to 25G, effectively decreasing costs for each bit. In addition, both of its electrical and optical lanes work at the same speed that eliminates the costly gearbox found in CFP, CFP2 and CPAK. Finally, its way of migrating to 100G Ethernet network is also superior, which can change from 10G-40G-100G to 10G-25G-100G or 10G-25G-50G-100G, much simplifying the cabling and saving the cost in data centers.

In addition, the QSFP+ has the same form factor and maximum number of ports with QSFP+, but the lane speeds are increased to 2.5X. Thus, by comparison, the QSFP28 increases front-panel density over QSFP+.

Even though these unique strengths make QSFP28 stand out from other optics, and if we want to make QSFP28 play effective role in the data center, reasonablely technical match is necessary and essential. Therefore, the following table lists the QSFP28 related components and the suggested applications

Seen from above all, it seems that QSFP28 optic fibre module is a better choice for 100G network. However, we still have to recognize the fact even QSFP28 has various advantages, and it just offers an alternative to 100G migration. For data center and server rooms, the suitable is the best. If you want to know more details about it, welcome to consult us at any time.