Small form-factor pluggable and quad small form-factor pluggable are transceiver interfaces. The difference between QSFP vs. SFP is that QSFP supports higher speeds with multiple channels, while SFP supports lower speeds over one channel.
QSFP vs. SFP
SFP and QSFP are both pluggable optical modules, also known as transceivers. These connect network switches and other devices in fiber optic cable systems.
The main difference between QSFP and SFP is in their channel quantities, which affects their transmission rates. SFP has only one channel while QSFP has four. SFP offers speeds of 1 Gb per second and SFP+ offers speeds up to 10 Gb per second. However, QSFP supports up to 4 Gb per second and QSFP+ supports up to 40 Gb per second.
Interchangeability
A 40 Gb to 10 Gb QSFP+ adapter provides the ability to use 10 Gb SFP+ transceivers to the QSFP+ port. A 100 Gb to 25 Gb QSFP28 adapter allows you to use 25 Gb SFP28 transceivers in the port.
SFP
These are compact modules that connect equipment to cabling. You would need them if you are running a data center or telecommunication network. These hot-pluggable transceivers connect to network and storage switches and transfer data between them. Switches with SFP ports connect to fiber and Ethernet cables of different types and speeds. Almost all enterprise networks include SFP ports.
SFP supports data transmission rates up to 10 Gb per second in SFP+ and 1 Gb per second in standard SFP. This is because they only have a single channel for transmission. These are common in gigabit ethernet and 10 gigabit ethernet connections. They are most common in short-distance transmissions.
Applications
SFP transceivers make important connections between high-speed data centers and network equipment. They ensure smooth data transfers between servers and other devices. SFPs are also widely used in cloud computing, ethernet routers, switches, fiber switches, media converters, and multiplexers.
Features
SFPs are hot-pluggable, meaning they are easier to replace or change. The slots are modular, meaning they are good for media-specific transceivers. They can also connect to various types of cables, including fiber optic, ethernet, and copper.
Speeds
SFP supports speeds up to 1 Gb per second. SFP+ supports speeds up to 10 Gb per second.
Compatibility
Some systems run copper instead of fiber optic cables. SFP ports can accommodate either type of cable. If you are building a new system and go with SFP, choosing between copper or fiber can depend on the transfer capabilities of your SFP transceivers. If you already have your cabling, make sure that you choose an SFP that is compatible with either the regulation fiber or copper you’ve chosen. If you run fiber, make sure that you choose the correct one for either single or multimode cable.
While they are hot-pluggable, not all SFPs are compatible. There are single and multimode options. Each one is only compatible with the proper cable and comes labeled. If they are not labeled, single-mode connectors are usually blue while multimode ones are gray, black, or beige.
The restriction for connecting two switches is that both SFP ports must use the same wavelength or have similar modules.
Choosing SFP Transceivers
To know what type of SFP to use, check your network devices for their port-supported speed, then match them with the correct SFP. You should also consider the type of cabling in your system. If you use multimode fiber, you need to choose multimode SFP. If you have single-mode cabling, you need a single-mode transceiver.
QSFP
QSFP is a transceiver that supports high-speed data transmission in fiber optic cables. This makes it suitable for long-distance connections in data centers and networks. QSFP modules have different data rates, with 40 Gb per second and 100 Gb per second being the most common, and make systems flexible and scalable.
When you need high-speed transmissions or have a system that needs a higher bandwidth, QSFP and fiber optics are the better option. This is because of the multi-channel transmission that allows the ports to handle multiple data streams at the same time, giving a system more bandwidth. QSFP options run from the original to QSFP-DD, which stands for quad small form-factor pluggable double density.
Applications
QSFP+ connectors are popular on shorter cables. These are great for when you are looking for inexpensive solutions for a system on the same shelf or rack. At short distances, these can offer 40 Gb per second speeds.
Speeds
QSFP modules offer up to 400 Gb per second speeds, making them ideal for businesses that need high-bandwidth, long-distance networking solutions. This is because QSFP has four channels for transmission. QSFP+ modules can replace four SFP+ modules and make a system more efficient.
There are multiple types of QSFP connections. QSFP+ supports up to 40 Gb per second by using four 10 Gb per second channels. QSFP28 supports up to 100 Gb per second by using four 25 Gb per second channels, while QSFP-DD supports either 200 Gb per second or 400 Gb per second.
Speeds can vary depending on the specific implementation and the version of the transceivers being used. However, QSFP-DD is always the fastest.
Compatibility
Standard QSFP is compatible with both single and multimode fibers, making this option more flexible. However, certain types of QSFP adapters are only compatible with multimode fibers.
QSFP28 transceivers have the same form factor as the QSFP transceivers. They can be plugged into the same slots, they just carry more data through each channel. This is also known as backward compatible.
DSFP vs. SFP vs. QSFP
QSFP28 is the most common choice for when you need 100 Gb per second connections, but SFP-DD and DSFP are also capable of supporting this rate, with DSFP being able to reach even higher speeds. The best transceivers for your system are those that are compatible with your existing hardware, including your switches and routers.
QSFP vs. SFP: Which One Is Right for Your Network?
When it comes to QSFP vs. SFP, SFP is the more common option and SFP+ is one of the most popular options on the market. However, QSFP offers more bandwidth and scalability. Learn more and get the right option on our website today.
