800G Transceivers: QSFP-DD vs OSFP, Which to Choose?

Date 06/14/2024

Learn the main differences between the two packages of 800G transceivers, QSFP-DD and OSFP, and compare their similarities and differences in 4 aspects: form factor, power consumption and heat dissipation, compatibility, and application. And analyze from 3 dimensions: current infrastructure, future expansion plans, and energy efficiency requirements to help you resolve your selection concerns.

With the emergence of AI, big data, and cloud computing, the demand for 800G transceivers has increased. Especially for enterprises that want to stay ahead, choosing 800G QSFP-DD or 800G OSFP may be crucial. This article will give you an in-depth understanding of the main differences between these two packages.

Overview of 800G Transceivers

800G optical transceivers are high-speed optical transmission technologies designed to support data rates of 800Gbps. They are widely used in data centers, cloud computing, and 5G communications to handle massive data loads and meet the needs for high bandwidth and fast data transmission needs. QSFP-DD (Quad Small Form-Factor Pluggable Double Density) and the OSFP (Octal Small Form-factor Pluggable) are two packages of 800G optical modules, both supporting 8-channel transmission, which are the two mainstream package forms of 800G transceivers at present.

Key Differences Between QSFP-DD and OSFP

There are similarities and differences between QSFP-DD and OSFP. The following will introduce their differences in detail from the aspects of form factor, power consumption, heat dissipation, compatibility and application.

Form Factor

The OSFP package is slightly larger than the QSFP-DD package, but like the QSFP-DD, it still supports 36 OSFP ports per 1U front panel, enabling 14.4 Tbps per 1U.

800g qsfpdd package and osfp package transceiver size comparison

Power Consumption and Heat Dissipation

Due to its larger size, the OSFP package has a higher thermal capacity, OSFP can handle higher power consumption, up to 15W, and provide better heat dissipation and signal stability. In contrast, the QSFP-DD module can only handle a maximum of 12W of power consumption due to size limitations, which is relatively more energy-efficient.

Compatibility

QSFP-DD is designed with backward compatibility, so it is perfectly backward compatible with QSFP, QSFP28, QSFP56 and 400G QSFP-DD interfaces, helping you achieve seamless upgrades and cost savings. On the other hand, OSFP is slightly larger and can only be used on devices equipped with OSFP ports. Therefore, infrastructure updates are usually required to adapt to its larger size and connector interface, leading to higher hardware modification costs during deployment.

Application

From the perspective of application fields, QSFP-DD is generally widely used in the Ethernet field. However, OSFP has a broader range of applications, including Ethernet networking, InfiniBand, and high-performance computing.

For example, QSFP-DD 800G DR8 modules can be used in Ethernet, data centers, and 800G to 2x 400G applications, while OSFP 800G DR8 modules are suitable for InfiniBand NDR end-to-end systems in addition to these scenarios.

800G QSFP-DD vs 800G OSFP Parameter Comparison：

Parameter	800G QSFP-DD	800G OSFP
Data Rate	800 Gbps	800 Gbps
Electrical Lanes	8	8
Form Factor	18.35 mm x 8.5 mm x 89.4 mm	22.58 mm x 13.00 mm x 107.8 mm
Port density in 1U	36	36
Bandwidth in 1U	14.4 Tbps	14.4 Tbps
Power Consumption	Up to 12W	Up to 15W
Backward Compatibility	QSFP/QSFP28/QSFP56/QSFP-DD(400G)	/
Application Fields	Ethernet	Ethernet/InfiniBand

How to Choose 800G Optical Transceivers?

When choosing the suitable 800G optical module, multi-dimensional considerations are required to ensure the best performance and return on investment. The following will analyze the three main aspects of current infrastructure, future expansion plans, and energy efficiency requirements to help you solve your selection concerns.

Current Infrastructure

Evaluate the compatibility of your existing infrastructure with 800G QSFP-DD or OSFP to determine the best deployment plan within your budget. For example, if you already have a QSFP infrastructure, 800G QSFP-DD is a more cost-effective option, allowing seamless upgrades without replacing hardware.

Future Expansion Plans

If you plan a long-term network expansion and pay more attention to future scalability without strict cost limitations, OSFP might be a better choice. OSFP not only supports high-speed such as 400G and 800G but also supports 1.6T or higher rates. Besides, it can also support technologies such as InfiniBand, which will be of better help for future development.

Energy Efficiency Requirements

Assess your current performance needs. The 800G QSFP-DD has lower power consumption and is ideal for energy-saving environments. However, 800G OSFP can handle high power consumption and fast heat dissipation, making it more suitable for environments requiring higher data rates and signal stability.

For example, if you want to use 800GBase-2FR4 modules for long-distance transmission, OSFP packaging is more suitable because it offers fast heat dissipation and strong stability; or if you want to use 800GBase-SR8 modules for short-distance transmission, QSFP-DD packaging is more appropriate because it offers energy savings.

Conclusion

In conclusion, 800G QSFP-DD and 800G OSFP have advantages and disadvantages. QSFP-DD provides a lower-cost, backward compatibility, and more energy-efficient solution, while OSFP provides a higher-performance and future scalability solution. Choosing between the two should be based on evaluating your infrastructure, future growth, and energy efficiency requirements to make the best decision for your network deployment. If you have relevant needs, QSFPTEK currently offers a variety of 800G transceivers for you to choose from and has also filmed a package comparison video of 800G QSFP-DD vs 800G OSFP for you to watch.