SFP-25G-SR & SFP-25G-LR SFP28 Optical Transceivers for 25G to 100G Migration

25G Ethernet was treated as the “new” 10GbE technology once it came out in 2014. Similar to 10G Ethernet that was based on 1 x 10Gbps lane scheme, 25GbE physical interface delivers 1 x 25Gbps more data. 25GbE technology with one single lane obviously improves the port density and cost requirement. 25GbE network supports several 25Gbps capable form factors, such as CFP, CFP2, CFP4, SFP28 (1×25 Gbps) and QSFP28 transceiver (4×25 Gbps), which is also used for 100GbE. Of which 25G SFP28 SFP-25G-SR and SFP-25G-LR are two popular optical transceiver modules on the market, the former supporting up to 100m link length while the latter allows a maximum transmission distance of 10 km. This article will make a brief comparison between 25G SFP-25G-SR & SFP-25G-LR optical transceiver modules, and analyze the utilization in 25G to 100G upgrading.

SFP-25G-SR Overview

SFP-25G-SR is 850nm VCSEL 25Gigabit SFP28 transceiver designed to transmit and receive optical data over 50μm duplex LC multimode optical fiber (MMF). 25G SFP28 SR optics can support up to 70m over parallel OM3 Multimode fiber and 100m over parallel OM4 cable. This 25G SFP transceiver is equipped with Digital Optical Monitoring (DOM) function and can be delivered with different temperature ranges, allowing access to real-time operating parameters.

SFP28 SR MMF transceiver optics is comply with current specifications of IEEE 802.3, SFF-8472, SFF-8402, SFF-8432 and SFF-8431. It’s suitable for use with 25GbE Ethernet switches, routers, network interface cards (NICs) and storage networking equipment. The SFP28 SR optics offers the most power efficient way to meet the growing needs of the next-generation data center networking environment.

SFP-25G-LR Outline

SFP28-25G-LR is the SFP28 LR optical transceiver module for 25 Gigabit Ethernet long-reach application. This SFP28 LR optics module features a highly reliable 1310nm DFB transmitter and PIN photo-detector into duplex LC optical connector, providing links up to 10km over single mode fiber (SMF).

The SFP28 LR SMF transceiver optics is comply with current specifications of IEEE 802.3, SFF-8472, SFF-8402, SFF-8432 and SFF-8431. It’s suitable for use with 25GbE Ethernet switches, routers, network interface cards (NICs) and storage networking equipment. The SFP28 LR optics offers the most power efficient way to meet the growing needs of the next-generation data center networking environment. The above image displays the vivid comparison between 25G SFP28 LR optics and 40G QSFP+ LR4 modules.

SFP-25G-SR & SFP-25G-LR Used in 25G to 100G Data Center Migration

Energy saving and cost are the two important considerations for data center applications. Nowadays 10G Ethernet speed can not meet the demands of increased sever performance, and the 100G relevant devices are too expensive, the appearance of 25G Ethernet standards just made up for the deficiency of them. Compared with 40GbE connectivity, 25GbE requires just one lane (four with 40GbE) but offers superior switch port density, lower costs and power requirements. Therefore, 25GE is good choice as next step after 10GE for SMF and MMF transceivers.

SFP-25G-SR and SFP-25G-LR are the single-channel, pluggable, fiber-optic SFP28 modules for 25 Gigabit Ethernet and Infiniband EDR applications, with low power dissipation 1W.

• 100G to 25G MMF Short-reach Connection

As the following image shows, MTP12 to 4xLC MMF fiber breakout cables are needed to connect between 100G QSFP-100G-SR4 and 25G SFP-25G-SR. This connection types can support up to 100m.

• 100G to 25G SMF Long-reach Connection

As the table 2 shows, SFP28 SFP-25G-LR connects with QSFP28 QSFP-100G-PSM4 over the MTP12 to 4xLC SMF fiber breakout cable. The whole setup can support up to 500m over parallel single mode fiber.

Conclusion

With the rapid development of Internet, cloud computing and big data in recent years, the construction of IT infrastructure data center has been accelerated. A new round of updating is underway for the Ethernet including 25GbE, 40GbE, 50GbE, of them 25G Ethernet is favored. 25G SFP-25G-SR and SFP-25G-LR SFP28 optical transceivers provide smooth and cost-effective solution to 100G networks.