What is a QSFP28 Transceiver?

QSFP28 is an abbreviation for quad small form-factor pluggable 28. The QSFP28 transceiver is intended for use with 100 Gigabit Ethernet, EDR InfiniBand, or 32G Fibre Channel networks. The QSFP28 100G transceiver has four high-speed differential signal channels with data rates ranging from 25 Gbps to 40 Gbps. In the 100G optics market, QSFP28 transceivers are more popular than CFP, CFP2, and CFP4 form factors.

100G QSFP28

What is a QSFP+ Transceiver?

QSFP+, often known as QSFP, is an abbreviation for quad (4-channel) small form-factor pluggable. QSFP+ optics is yet another tiny, hot-pluggable transceiver used in data transmission. Compared to SFP+, QSFP+ supports 4x10G or 4x14G SFP+ data rates to enable increased bandwidth capabilities. It provides several data rate options for Ethernet, Fibre Channel, InfiniBand, and SONET/SDH technologies.

40G QSFP+

1. QSFP+:

• Data Rates: QSFP+ modules support data rates up to 40 Gbps (Gigabits per second) per channel.

• Common Applications: QSFP+ is commonly used for 40 Gigabit Ethernet (40GbE) connections in data centers and high-performance computing environments.

2. QSFP28:

• Data Rates: QSFP28 modules support higher data rates, typically up to 100 Gbps per channel.

• Common Applications: QSFP28 is used for 100 Gigabit Ethernet (100GbE) connections, providing higher bandwidth and increased speed compared to QSFP+.

While QSFP+ and QSFP28 have similar form factors, they are not interchangeable due to differences in electrical and optical specifications, as well as the supported data rates. The '+' in QSFP+ indicates the enhancement or "plus" in comparison to the original QSFP. QSFP28, on the other hand, represents the next generation with higher data rates.

When selecting optical transceivers for networking equipment, it's crucial to match the module's specifications with the requirements of the network infrastructure. Always check the compatibility and supported data rates of both the transceivers and the networking devices to ensure proper functionality. Additionally, consider the specific standards (e.g., Ethernet, InfiniBand) and distances required for your application.