SFP Modules & Transceivers

About SFP Modules and Transceivers

SFP, SFP+, SFP28 and QSFP transceivers and direct-attach cables for switches, routers and server network adapters. ServerDove sources modules to match your equipment and link distance for networks across Qatar.

Transceivers are the plug-in modules that give a switch, router or network adapter port its physical link, over multimode fibre, single-mode fibre or copper. This page covers the SFP family and its faster successors, together with direct-attach cables that do the same job over short distances.

Optics are sourced to order: tell the team the equipment at both ends and the distance between them, and they will match suitable modules. It is for network engineers and integrators in Qatar adding uplinks, connecting server racks or linking buildings.

Form factors
SFP, SFP+, SFP28, QSFP+, QSFP28
Speeds
1G to 100G
Media
Multimode, single-mode, copper
Fibre connector
LC, or MPO on parallel optics

Form factors and speeds

Form factorSpeedTypical use
SFP1 Gb/sAccess switch uplinks, firewalls, routers
SFP+10 Gb/sServer and storage links, switch uplinks
SFP2825 Gb/sData centre server links
QSFP+40 Gb/sCore and spine links, or 4 x 10G breakout
QSFP28100 Gb/sData centre core, or 4 x 25G breakout

Fibre, copper or direct-attach

  • Short-reach (SR) optics run on multimode fibre, typically OM3 or OM4, within a building. 10GBASE-SR reaches up to 300 m on OM3 and 400 m on OM4.
  • Long-reach (LR) optics run on single-mode fibre; 10GBASE-LR reaches up to 10 km, suiting links between buildings.
  • Copper RJ45 modules reuse Ethernet cabling but have shorter reach and run hotter than optics.
  • Direct-attach cables (DAC) have modules fixed to each end of a copper cable, for links of a few metres within or next to a rack.

Before you order optics

Both ends of a link must use the same standard, wavelength and fibre type. Some switches accept only optics coded for their vendor, so give the team the model at each end. Check that the port supports the speed: a QSFP port will not take an SFP, and not every SFP+ port runs 1G modules. Stocked switches that take these optics are in Cisco switches and managed switches, with server cards in network adapters. To order, use the contact page, WhatsApp +974 5521 2108 or email sales@serverdove.com.

From the journal

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