Modular Transceivers
- networks us multiple types of cabling
- servers, switches, and routers need to be able to terminate different cables
- modular, hot-swappable transceivers are available
SFP & SFP+
Small form-factor pluggable (SFP) transceivers use LC connectors and support Gigabit Ethernet data rates.
- Enhanced SFP (SFP+) supports 10 GbE but still uses LC connector
- multi-source agreement (MSA) ensures that a transceiver from one vender is compatible with appliances of another vendor
- are transceivers that support Fibre Channel storage area network protocol
- not compatible with Ethernet switches
QSFP & QSFP+
Quad small form-factor pluggable (QSFP) is a transceiver form factor that supports 4x1 Gbps links.
- typically aggregated to a single 4 Gbps channel
- supports 40 GbE by provisioning 4x10 Gbps links
- typically used with parallel fiber and multi-fiber push on (MPO) termination
- can be used with wavelength division multiplexing Ethernet standards
Info
- there are SFP+ and QSFP+ with Direct Attach Copper (DAC) ports
Info
- WDM transceivers must be installed in match pairs
- Tx wavelength used on one side must match the Rx wavelength used on the other