The Etern 100GBASE QSFP28 (Quad Small Form-Factor Pluggable 28Gbps per lane) series offers a wide variety of high-density and low-power 100 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity options for data center, high-performance computing networks, enterprise core and distribution layers, and service provider applications. This article will introduce how 100G transceivers play a key role in high-speed networks.

Figure 1: Etern Optoelectronics 100G QSFP28 Partial Optical Transceiver Photoes

Basics of 100G transceivers

To realize 100G data transmission, QSFP28 transceivers are usually used. QSFP28 (Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable) four-channel small, hot-swappable transceivers, which support high-density deployments, are capable of transmitting multiple channels at the same time to achieve 100Gbps data transmission.

100G transceivers typically support multiple interface standards such as 100G BASE-SR4/AOC/SWDM4/PSM4/CWDM4/LR4/ER4/ZR4. This compatibility enables 100G transceivers to seamlessly integrate with network equipment from different vendors to provide, high-speed, reliable data transmission.

Figure 2: Etern Optoelectronics 100G QSFP28 Partial Optical Transceiver Showcase

Features and benefits of Etern QSFP28 modules:

1) Hot-pluggable input/output device that plugs into a 100G Gigabit Ethernet mainstream brands switch’s QSFP port.

2) Certified and tested on mainstream brands switch’s QSFP-100G ports for superior performance, quality, and reliability.

3) High-speed electrical interface compliant to IEEE 802.3bm, IEEE 802.3-2015, 100G PSM4 MSA, CWDM4 MSA.

100G QSFP28 SR4 (100GBASE-SR4, Compatible with QSFP-100G-SR4-S)

The Etern FLS100C010S 100G QSFP28 SR4 transceiver supports link lengths of up to 70m over OM3 and 100m over OM4 Multimode Fiber with MPO connectors. It primarily enables high-bandwidth 100G optical links over 12-fiber parallel fiber terminated with MPO multifiber connectors. FLS100C010S supports 100GBase Ethernet rate, 112G OTU4 and 128GFC is optional, 300m over OM4 eSR4 is optional also.

100G QSFP28 AOC (100GBASE-SR4, Compatible with QSFP-100G-AOCxM)

The Etern FLS100C003S-Lxx 100G QSFP28 AOC (Active Optical Cable) supports link lengths of up to 70m over OM3 and 100m over OM4 Multimode Fiber with AOC types, are suitable for short distances and offer a flexible way to connect within racks and across racks. Active optical cables are much thinner and lighter than copper cables, which makes cable management easier. AOCs enable efficient system airflow, which is critical in high-density racks. 

100G QSFP28 SWDM4 (Option for QSFP-100-SRBD)

100G QSFP28 SWDM4 transceiver FLS100C011S, is a Hot-pluggable QSFP28 form factor, complies with both QSFP28 MSA and SWDM MSA, using 4x25Gb/s 850mm VCSEL-based transmitter, Maximum link length of 150m on OM5 multimode Fiber, or 100m on OM4 MMF. And the most important value is that the optical interface is duplex LC connector, using two cores fiber only, meet the scenario of new build finance datacenter, or expansion smoothly with existing SWDM4 structure.

It is designed for use in 100G Ethernet links over duplex multimode fiber. Four channels/lanes in the 850-940nm wavelength range @ 25.78Gbps to transport the Ethernet signal. Digital diagnostics functions are available via an I2C interface, as specified by the QSFP28 MSA.

100G QSFP28 PSM4 (Compatible with QSFP-100G-PSM4-S)

The Etern 100G QSFP28 PSM4 supports link lengths of up to 2km (PSM IR4) FLS100P02S or 10km (PSM LR4) FLS100P10S on G.652 Single-Mode Fiber (SMF). It enables high-bandwidth 100G optical links over 12-fiber parallel fiber terminated with MPO/MTP multifiber female connectors. It can also be used in a 4x25G mode for interoperability with 25GBASE-LR interfaces up to 2km or 10km.

The 4x25G connectivity is achieved using an external 12-fiber parallel to 2-fiber duplex breakout cable, which connects the 4x25G LR module to four 25GBASE-LR optical interfaces.

100G QSFP28 CWDM4 (Compatible with QSFP-100G-CWDM4-S)

The Etern 100G QSFP28 CWDM4 transceiver supports link lengths of up to 2 km FLS100C112S or 10km FLS100C210S over a standard pair of G.652 Single-Mode Fiber (SMF) with duplex LC connectors. The 100 Gigabit Ethernet signal is carried over four wavelengths. Multiplexing and demultiplexing of the four wavelengths are managed within the device.

100G QSFP28 LR4 (100GBASE-LR4, Compatible with QSFP-100G-LR4-S)

The Etern FLS100C211S 100G QSFP28 LR4 supports link lengths of up to 10km over a standard pair of G.652 single-mode fiber with duplex LC connectors. The 100 Gigabit Ethernet signal is carried over four LWDM wavelengths. Multiplexing and demultiplexing of the four wavelengths are managed within the module. Compliant with 100G Ethernet IEEE802.3-2015 and 100GBASE-LR4 Standard.

FLS100C212S OTU4 and 128GFC application is optional, FLS100C910S-RX Rx only model for network security application is optional also. 100G QSFP28 eLR4 20km FLS100C213S for longer distance is available also.

100G QSFP28 ER4 (100GBASE-ER4, Compatible with QSFP-100G-ER4L-S)

The Etern 100G QSFP28 ER4 FLS100C240S supports link lengths of up to 40km over a standard pair of G.652 single-mode fiber with duplex LC connectors. The 100 Gigabit Ethernet signal is carried over four LWDM wavelengths. Multiplexing and demultiplexing of the four wavelengths are managed within the module. Compliant with 100G Ethernet IEEE802.3bm and 100GBASE-ER4 Standard, support OTU3 and ODR/DDR InfiniBand application.

100G QSFP28 ZR4 (100GBASE-ZR4, Compatible with QSFP-100G-ZR4-S)

The Etern 100G QSFP28 ZR4 FLS100C280S supports link lengths of up to 80km over a standard pair of G.652 single-mode fiber with duplex LC connectors. The 100 Gigabit Ethernet signal is carried over four LWDM wavelengths 1295.56/1300.05/1304.58/1309.14nm in 200GHz O-band LWDM grid. Multiplexing and demultiplexing of the four wavelengths are managed within the module. Compliant with 100G Ethernet 100GBASE-ZR4 Standard and IEEE802.3ba.

QSFP28 to SFP28 Adapter (Compatible with CVR-QSFP28-SFP25G)

The Etern QSFP28 to SFP28 Adapter Q28S100T25 Module offers 25, 10 and 5 Gigabit Ethernet Connectivity for QSFP 100G ports. The adapter gives customers flexibility to upgrade to 100GE platforms while maintaining connectivity to lower speed endpoints. The QSFP28 to SFP28 Adapter converts a QSFP28 port to an SFP28, SFP+ or SFP port. The Q28S100T25 is qualified for 10GbE SFP+ and 1GbE SFP transceivers meeting the Small Form Factor Pluggable (SFP) Transceiver Multi-source Agreement (MSA). The QSA module provides a solution for integrating systems using different vendors ‘equipment, is vendor agnostic and provides a direct path to the SFP port unit’s memory.

Summary

In summary, 100G is a high-speed data transmission technology for application scenarios requiring high bandwidth and large-capacity data transmission. It plays an important role in data centers, telecom operators and enterprise networks with compatibility and deployment flexibility, are using in the global market still even in today.

Etern Optoelectronics, as a professional transceiver manufacturer, can provide a series of 100G transceivers as well as high quality transceiver solutions.

For more information about Etern optics solution, visit Etern Optoelectronics website:

 https://www.szetern.com, or email to: sales@szetern.com