Ciena QSFP28-LR4 Compatible 100G QSFP28 LR4 1310nm (LAN WDM) 10km LC SMF DDM Transceiver Module

Ciena QSFP28-LR4 Compatible 100G QSFP28 LR4 1310nm (LAN WDM) 10km LC SMF DDM Transceiver Module

Product Details

Two basic versions of QSFP28 transceiver are 100GBASE-SR4 QSFP28 transceiver and 100GBASE-LR4 QSFP28 transceiver that are respectively used for multimode (MMF) and single-mode (SMF) 100G applications.

The QSFP28 makes deploying 100GbE (or beyond) networks as easy as 10GbE networks, having a strong ability to increase density, decrease power consumption, and decreases price per bit.

There are limitations of the other versions of 100G transceiver. For example, in the first generation of 100GbE switches and routers, the smaller CXP form factor was used for cabling and the CFP or CFP2 was used for transceivers. This forced huge equipment design sacrifices. A switch with CXP ports couldn’t be used in a data center with single-mode fiber (SMF). A router using CFP2 or CPAK ports had bandwidth limited by the 8-10 ports that could fit on the front panel.

QSFP28 solves these issues because it supports both cables and transceivers. With QSFP28, a one rack-unit switch can accommodate up to 36 QSFP ports. Many more varieties of transceivers and cables can plug into these ports. The cables can be either copper direct attach cables (DACs) or active optical cables (AOCs).

What’s more, the QSFP28 transceiver can use either VCSELs (useful for shorter distances on MMF) or silicon photonics (for longer distances on SMF). Silicon photonics enables QSFP28 transceiver to support any data center reach up to 10 kilometers, and provides a high degree of integration. Silicon photonics is low power; even WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) designs can fit within the 3.5W maximum of QSFP.

What are the differences between SFP28 and QSFP28 transceivers?

A: They are different on data rate, form factor and working principle.
The transmission data rate of SFP28 transceiver is 25 Gbps, that of QSFP28 is 100 Gbps;
The form factor of SFP28 is SFP, that of QSFP28 is QSFP;
The SFP28 transceiver uses single-channel transmission and has a transmission rate of 25 Gbps;
The QSFP28 transceiver uses four channels of transmission with a transmission rate of 25 Gbps per channel.

What are the specifications of the QSFP28 transceiver?

Check the chart below:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the QSFP28 MSA?

A: The QSFP28 MSA (Multi-Source Agreement) is a standard set of specifications that defines the mechanical, electrical, and optical characteristics of the QSFP28 transceiver form factor.

Q: What is the maximum transmission distance for 100G QSFP28 transceivers?

A: The maximum transmission distance for 100G QSFP28 transceivers depends on the type of the transceiver. The maximum transmission distance for 100G QSFP28 SR4 transceivers is 100m over OM4 MMF (Optical Multimode Fiber) and 70m over OM3 MMF, while the maximum transmission distance for 100G QSFP28 LR4 transceivers is up to 10km over single-mode fiber.

Q: What are the different types of 100G QSFP28 transceivers?

A: The different types of 100G QSFP28 transceivers include SR4 (Short Range 4-channel), LR4 (Long Range 4-channel), PSM4 (Parallel Single Mode 4-channel), CWDM4 (Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing 4-channel), ER4 (Extended Range 4-channel), ZR4 (Zero Dispersion Shifted Fiber Range 4-channel), BiDi (Bidirectional), and SWDM4 (Short Wavelength Division Multiplexing 4-channel).

Q: What is the IEEE 802.3bm standard?

A: The IEEE 802.3bm standard is a specification that defines the physical media dependent (PMD) layer specifications for 100G Ethernet links over optical fiber and supports various 100G QSFP28 transceiver types.

Q: Can the QSFP28 transceiver work with CFP transceiver?

A: Yes! Both are products of the Ethernet protocol and can interoperate?with each other.

Q: What is the form factor of 100G QSFP28 transceivers?

A: The form factor of 100G QSFP28 transceivers is QSFP28, a smaller and denser form factor than the earlier QSFP form factor.

Q: What is the advantage of using 100G QSFP28 transceivers?

A: The advantage of using 100G QSFP28 transceivers is that they offer high data transfer rates, reduce power consumption, and provide higher port density, which makes them suitable for high-performance computing networks and data centers.

Q: What is the difference between 100G QSFP28 SR4 and 100G QSFP28 SR4 compatible transceiver?

A: There is no difference between 100G QSFP28 SR4 and 100G QSFP28 SR4 compatible transceivers. The compatible transceiver is designed to be fully compatible and interchangeable with the specified 100G QSFP28 SR4 transceiver type.

Q: What optical signal modulation format is used by 100G DWDM QSFP28 PAM4 transceivers?

A: The optical signal modulation format used by 100G DWDM QSFP28 PAM4 transceivers is PAM4 (Pulse Amplitude Modulation 4-level) which uses 4-level coding to transmit twice the data rate of traditional 100G non-return-to-zero (NRZ) modulation format.

Q: What is the role of CDR in 100G QSFP28 transceivers?

A: The role of CDR (Clock and Data Recovery) in 100G QSFP28 transceivers is to recover the clock signal from the incoming data signal and provide a stable and accurate clock signal to the output data signal, which helps to maintain the data integrity and reduce errors.

Q: Why do the wavelengths used by the QSFP-100G-ZR4 seem familiar to us?

A: The wavelengths of the QSFP-100G-ZR4 (1264 nm, 1296 nm, 1328 nm, 1360 nm) may seem familiar because they fall within the O-band (1260-1360 nm) commonly used in optical communications for long-haul and high-speed transmission. The O-band is known for its favorable characteristics, such as lower fiber attenuation and dispersion, making it suitable for applications that require long-distance, high-performance optical communication. The familiarity of these wavelengths highlights the adherence to industry standards and best practices in optical communication technologies.

Q: Is it feasible to utilize the QSFP-100G-ZR4 in breakout mode, where it can be divided into 4x25G channels?

A: No, the QSFP-100G-ZR4 module is not designed for breakout mode, which involves splitting the module’s bandwidth into multiple lower-speed channels. The QSFP-100G-ZR4 is specifically configured for 100Gbps transmission using four lanes of 25Gbps each to achieve the desired data rate and reach over long distances. Attempting to use it in breakout mode to split the signal into 4x25G channels would not be supported or recommended for this particular module.

Q: Is it possible for the QSFP-100G-ZR4 to be compatible with 100G coherent transceivers?

A: The QSFP-100G-ZR4 and 100G coherent transceivers are designed for different types of applications and use different technologies for signal modulation and detection. The QSFP-100G-ZR4 uses direct-detect technology, while coherent transceivers utilize more complex coherent detection methods. In general, direct-detect transceivers like the QSFP-100G-ZR4 are not interoperable with coherent transceivers due to differences in signal processing and modulation schemes. Coherent transceivers are typically used for long-haul and high-capacity applications that require advanced modulation formats and signal processing capabilities beyond what direct-detect transceivers can provide.

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