Introduction to QSFP+ Transceiver Module

Transmission speeds are continuing to rise as consumers demand ever higher performance from a variety of communications devices. If you are thinking about upgrading your server network connections, you may want to know about an emerging plug standard called QSFP+, which is now widely used by people as it can provide high bandwidth. Here is what you need to know about QSFP+ transceiver modules.

What Is QSFP+ Transceiver Module?

To know what a QSFP+ transceiver is, you need to understand QSFP transceiver first. QSFP (quad small form-factor pluggable) is a compact, hot-pluggable transceiver used for data communications applications. It interfaces networking hardware to a fiber optic cable or active or passive electrical copper connection. It is an industry format jointly developed and supported by many network component vendors, allowing data rates from 4x10 Gbit/s. The format specification is evolving to enable higher data rates. The QSFP specification accommodates Ethernet, Fibre Channel, InfiniBand and SONET/SDH standards with different data rate options. QSFP+ (quad small form-factor pluggable plus), as the updated version of QSFP, is a new multi-source agreement (MSA) for high speed application, such as 40G-BASE, which provide four channels of data in one pluggable interface. Each channel is capable of transferring data at 10Gbps and supports a total of 40Gbps. QSFP+ gradually replace QSFP and is widely used by people as it can provide higher bandwidth. QSFP modules increase the port-density by 3x-4x compared to SFP+ modules. The following picture shows a Juniper QSFPP-40GBASE-LR4 compatible 40GBASE-LR4 QSFP+ transceiver module.

Key Features of QSFP+ Transceiver

• 4 channels in one interface, providing 3 to 4x density of, SFP+ and XFP
• Meets QSFP+ requirements up to 10 Gbit/s per channel, total 40G interface
• Cages accommodate belly-to-belly mounting
• Heat sinks and lightpipes available
• Compliant with QSFP+ MSA and IEEE Standard 802.3ba
• Quick release latching system
• Low power dissipation

Installing a QSFP+ Transceiver

Perform the following procedure to install an QSFP+ transceiver:

• 1. Remove the module from its shipping container and store the packaging material in a safe location.
• 2. Remove the dust cover from the chassis QSFP+ slot.
• 3. If you are installing the transceiver in the top QSFP+ slot, position the transceiver with the handle facing up. If you are installing the transceiver in the bottom slot, position the transceiver with the handle facing down.
• 4. Slide the module into the slot until it clicks into place.
• 5. Repeat steps 1 to 4 if you have other QSFP+ transceivers to install.

If you are ready to attach the fiber optic cable to the transceiver, continue with removing the dust cover from the transceiver, and then inserting the fiber optic cable to the port on the transceiver, until it clicks in place. Otherwise, repeat steps 1 to 4 to install the remaining QSFP+ transceiver(s) in the line cards. Do not remove the dust cover from the installed QSFP+ transceiver until you are ready to install the fiber optic cable.

Applications of QSFP+ Transceiver

QSFP+ is the I/O cable form factor approved for use in data center applications including InfiniBand and 40G Ethernet. The 40Gbps QSFP+ transceiver is well suited for 40GBASE-SR4 and 40GBASE-LR4 applications. It combines the higher density attractions of parallel modules with some of the key advantages normally associated with SFP+ based modules. It is intended for use short reach applications in switches, routers and data center equipment where it provides higher density and lower cost when compared with standard SFP+ modules. And, QSFP+ transceivers are designed to carry Serial Attached SCSI, QDR (40G) and FDR (56G) Infiniband, and other communications standards. The QSFP+ transceiver is the dominant transceiver form factor used for 40 Gigabit Ethernet applications.

Fiberstore offers you a large number of QSFP+ transceiver modules branded by many famous companies, like Cisco, Juniper, HP, and Finisar. For example, Cisco QSFP-40G-SR4-S 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ transceiver, Finisar FTL410QD2C 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ Transceiver, and HP 805755-B21 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ transceiver, all those QSFP+ transceivers offered by Fiberstore are the most cost-effective standards-based transceiver modules and fully compatible with major brands and backed by a lifetime warranty.