With the unprecedented growth of networks such as data centers, high-performance computing networks, enterprise core, and distribution layers, and service provider applications, there is an urgent need for a cost-effective, high density, low power 100G Ethernet connectivity solution.

Today, the momentum of optical modules is unstoppable, with 100G optical modules taking up most of the market share, such as 100G CFP and QSFP28. So 100G CFP vs QSFP28, what are the differences and how to choose? This article will detail CFP and QSFP28 and the specific applications they cover.

SFP is short for the small form factors. It refers to a fibre optic transceiver that supports a 1Gbps data rate. In addition to SFP, there are many different types of fibre optic transceivers on the market today, such as QSFP, QSFP+ and QSFP28.

Just as we have rules for driving traffic, different rules of the road are needed to transmit our light traffic. These are called protocols. Below, we describe each of the three key protocols for storage, data, and voice.

QSFP-DD​ is highly sought after by suppliers as the smallest size package for 400G optics, offering high port density and backward compatibility with QSFP+/QSFP28 packages. Today, many suppliers have launched 400G QSFP-DD products, such as 400G QSFP-DD optical modules, 400G QSFP-DD DAC/AOC, etc.