An Introduction to 100G QSFP28 Optical Module and Its Advantages

After the optical module data rate, the development of optical module form factor, the market there are a variety of optical modules and a variety of packages, then QSFP28 optical module now appears, it has some advantages that can help become the mainstream of 100G optical networks. Below, we will introduce to everyone what is QSFP28 optical module and what are the advantages of QSFP28 optical module.

What Is QSFP28 Optical Module?

First, let's look first: What is QSFP28 optical module. Generally speaking, the optical module form factor refers to the optical module shape, with the progress of science and technology, optical module form factor is a step by step evolution, the volume is gradually smaller, of course, not only the appearance of the change in the rate, power consumption, distance , costs, etc. are also constantly moving forward.

Currently 100G optical modules have several main form factors, including: QSFP28 optical module, CFP optical module, CFP2 optical module, CFP4 optical module, these kinds of encapsulated optical modules all belong to 100G, of which the QSFP28 optical module is a mainstream 100G optical module on the current market.

The post will compare 100G QSFP28 optical module and other 100G optical modules in terms of port density, power consumption, and cost respectively.

What Are the Advantages of QSFP28 Optical Module?

1. Port Density

The first generation of 100G optical modules was a very large CFP optical module, and then CFP2 and CFP4 optical modules were launched, among which CFP4 optical module was the latest generation of 100G optical modules and had a width of only 1/4 of the CFP optical modules. However, the form factor of 100G QSFP28 optical module is smaller than the CFP4 optical module, which means the 100G QSFP28 optical module has a higher port density on the switch.

2. Power Consumption

The power consumption of 100G QSFP28 optical module is usually lower than 3.5W while that of other 100G optical modules is usually between 6W and 24W. From this, 100G QSFP28 optical modules have much lower power consumption than other 100G optical modules.

3. Cost

Now the data center is mainly 10G network architecture, in which the interconnection solution is mainly 10GBASE-SR optical module and duplex LC multimode fiber jumper. If the existing 10G network architecture can be directly upgraded to 40 / 100G networks, it will save a lot of time and cost.

Although 100G QSFP28 optical modules have many advantages, it is only one of many solutions for 100G network. For data centers and server rooms, suit is best. Therefore, other 100G optical modules also have a place in the 100G network. Gigalight thinks that 100G QSFP28 optical module series, like 100G QSFP28 SR4, 100G QSFP28 LR4, 100G QSFP28 CWDM4 and 100G QSFP28 PSM4, have brought a new solution for 100G applications that will promote the faster development of 100G.