Dual-rate 10G/25G SFP28 Transceivers Used In 10G to 25G Upgrades

Why is the Use of 25G SFP28 Increasing;jsessionid=5057A4E6BEF004694143014FA125092C?

25G SFP28 transceiver has a similar form factor to the ubiquitous existing 10G SFP+ transceiver,  however, more and more network operators have chosen 25G SFP28 transceivers instead of multiple 10G transceivers today. SFP28 provides many advantages including as below, which we have discussed in the previous articles Upgrade Path 10G-40G-100G vs 10G-25G-100G.

1. Back compatible with 10G SFP+.
2. 2.5x bandwidth of 10G SFP+ with low power consumption.
3. Dense 25G switch port density.
4. Better Matched to higher speed network upgrading of 50G/100G/200G/400G with low costs.

On the whole, the 25GbE network is future-proof and is a dominant path for next-generation network upgrades to 100G, 200G, or even 400G. And 25G SFP28 transceivers are in high demand in today and future markets.

Why Dual-rate 25G SFP28 is Important?

Fig. 1 - QSFPTEK SFP-10/25G-CSR-S Transceiver

Upgrading from 10G SFP+ to 25G SFP28 increased 2.5x bandwidth of 10G SFP+ based on the existing 10GbE Ethernet networks and systems construction, which brings challenges to the network upgrading while the optical modules are single-rate devices. For example, the single-rate 25G SFP28 transceivers require both ends of the link upgrade simultaneously when upgrading the edge, leaf nodes, and servers to 25G SFP28, which is inefficiency and time-consuming. So here comes the dual-rate SFP28 transceivers to respond to the challenge. The dual-rate SFP28 modules provide a simplified solution for deployed systems upgrading.

Dual-rate SFP28 Types and Spec vs. Single-rate SFP+/SFP28

Table 1 and Table 2 indicate the important specifications of multimode (MMF) and single-mode (SMF) dual-rate 10G/25G SFP28 transceivers compared to equivalent single-rate optical transceivers.

Table 1 - Dual-rate vs Single-rate for MMF

Table 2 - Dual-rate vs Single-rate for SMF

Advantages of Dual-rate 25G SFP28 Transceivers

Backward Compatible and Interoperable with 10G/25G Switch Ports and Transceivers

10G/25G dual-rate SFP28 transceivers can be used in either 10G SFP+ or 25G SFP28 switches, routers and NICs. The 10/25G SFP28 module can be configured for 10G or 25G according to the switch capability. The dual-rate feature also allows interoperability with both SFP-25G-SR-S and SFP-10G-SR modules.

Easy and Flexible Upgrade Path from 10G SFP+ to 25G SFP28

The dual-rate capability allows easy upgrade of 10G Ethernet to 25G Ethernet as needed by maximizing existing cabling infrastructures. Besides, the dual-rate 10G/25G SFP28 transceivers enable upgrading one side of a connection to 25G, while deferring upgrades on the other end until later, over time.

Future Proof the Physical Layer While Saving CapEx and OpEx

While 10G/25G dual-rate SFP28 modules were installed, the upgrade path from 10G to 25G was simplified without requiring the purchase of new fiber transceiver modules, which significantly saved CapEx(Capital Expenditures) and OpEx (Operational Expenditures).

10/25G Dual-rate SFP28 Transceiver Application

Applied In 10G SFP+ to 25G SFP28 Upgrades

Dual-rate 10G/25G SFP28 transceiver enables network upgrades from 10G to 25G with no change to the transceiver modules and fiber optic cables, as shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 2 - 10G/25G dual-rate Modules Used in 10G to 25G Upgrades

Applied in QSFP 4x10G Breakout and QSFP28 4x25G Breakout

Dual-rate 10G/25G SFP28 transceivers also interoperate with 40G QSFP and 100G QSFP28 transceivers by utilizing MMF/SMF breakout cables.

The SFP-10/25G-CSR-S transceiver can be used for QSFP 4x10G breakout over MTP to 4 LC parallel MMF 4x10G breakout cable with the QSFP-40G-SR4 transceiver, and QSFP28 4x25G breakout with the QSFP-100G-SR4, as shown in fig. 3.

The SFP-10/25G-LR-S transceiver can be used for QSFP 4x10G breakout over MTP to 4 LC parallel SMF 4x10G breakout cable with the QSFP-40G-PLRL4, and QSFP28 4x25G breakout with the QSFP-100G-PSM4-S.

More specifically, when connecting 10G/25G dual-rate SFP28 transceivers to single rate 10G SFP+ and 40G QSFP+ transceivers, attenuation may be required for short links.

Fig. 3 - 10G/25G dual-rate SFP28 CSR transceivers applied in QSFP 4x10G/QSFP28 4x25G Breakout

Conclusion

Dual-rate 10G/25G SFP28 transceiver is the cost-effective and flexible solution for 10/25G Ethernet and enables high interoperability with 10G SFP+, 40G QSFP, 100G QSFP28 transceivers. QSFPTEK provides quality assured dual-rate SFP-10/25G-CSR-S SFP28 transceivers at the best price based. You can ask any questions about SFP28 via sales@qsfptek.com.