Transceivers

Definition

• Combination of transmitter and receiver.
• Usually combined within the same piece of equipment or component.

Modularity

• Allows for modularity in network setups.
• Example: A switch with multiple open interfaces where you slide in the appropriate transceiver.
• Can configure interfaces for specific media or network types:
  • Copper configuration for gigabit Ethernet.
  • Fiber-based 10 gig connection.

Types of Transceivers

• Different types and form factors depending on the media:
  • Ethernet Transceivers for Ethernet switches.
  • Fiber Channel Transceivers for fiber channel switches.
• Cannot mix types (e.g., fiber channel transceivers in Ethernet switches).

Benefits

• Allows choice of media type (copper or fiber) based on configuration needs.
• Changeability: Can replace transceivers mid-installation to change connection types.
• Modularity can come at an additional cost.

Common Transceiver Types

SFP (Small Form Factor Pluggable)

• Supports 1 Gbit/s connections.
• Can connect fiber or copper media by sliding in the appropriate SFP.

SFP+ (Enhanced Small Form Factor Pluggable)

• Identical in size to SFP.
• Supports higher speeds up to 16 Gbit/s.
• Typically used for 10 Gbit connections.

QSFP (Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable)

• Provides four times the throughput of a standard SFP.
• Four channels of SFP, e.g., 1 Gbit/s per channel.

QSFP+

• Four channels of SFP+.
• Used for 10 Gbit connections, allowing up to 40 Gbit/s total throughput.

Space Efficiency in Data Centers

• Equipment is limited to 19 inches wide with limited rack space.
• QSFP and QSFP+ allow for increased throughput in a compact space.
• Efficient use of space despite larger form factor compared to SFP/SFP+.

Cost and Efficiency

• Cost benefits with equipment and media by using quad transceivers.
• Despite similar names, the form factors are slightly different.
• QSFP and QSFP+ are larger but not four times the size of SFP/SFP+, providing space efficiency.