WHITE PAPER

Do You Know about

SMF&MMF 40G QSFP+
Transceiver?
There is a growing need in the data center for upgrading from 10G to 40G switch connections due
to server consolidation, virtualization, and performance improvements. However, for many data
center operators this upgrade and conversion is more challenging based on two primary factors.
First, the potential for a reconfiguration of the physical layer of the network based on the reduced
reach of the OM3/OM4 multimode optics from 10GBASE-SR (300/400 m) to 40GBASE-SR4 (100/150
m) and second, the existing fiber optic cabling plant may need to be upgraded based on the
additional fiber count needed to support the IEEE-defined 40GBASE-SR4 parallel optics. These two
factors bring the SMF&MMF 40G QSFP+ transceiver to market.

What Is SMF&MMF 40G QSFP+ Transceiver?

As we all know, a fiber optic transceiver may either
operate on multimode fiber (MMF) or single-mode fiber
(SMF). However, a SMF&MMF 40G QSFP+ transceiver can be
used with both MMF and SMF without the need for any
software/hardware changes to the transceiver module or
any additional hardware in the network. Usually, this
transceiver is based on IEEE defined 40GBASE-LR4
specifications and operates in the 1310nm band. It uses a
duplex LC connectors and supports distances up to 150 m over OM3 or OM4 multimode fiber and
up to 500 m over single-mode fiber (different vendor may have different specifications). This is
usually accomplished by combining four 10G optical channels at different wavelengths (1270, 1290,
1310, and 1330 nm) inside the transceiver module to transmit and receive an aggregate 40G signal
over a single pair of multimode or single-mode fibers. At present, there are two main SMF&MMF
40G QSFP+ transceiver in the market. One is the Arista QSFP-40G-UNIV universal QSFP+ transceiver,
and the other is the Juniper JNP-QSFP-40G-LX4 40GBASE-LX4 QSFP+ transceiver. These two types
QSFP+ for both MMF and SMF are widely installed and used for upgrading from 10G to 40G
networks without modification or expansion.

Fiberstore (FS.COM) | Do You Know about SMF&MMF 40G QSFP+ Transceiver?

WHITE PAPER

Advantages of SMF&MMF 40G QSFP+ Transceiver

With the increase in data center bandwidth requirements, migration to 40G for switch to switch
connections is in higher demand. SMF&MMF 40G QSFP+ transceiver is designed to allow for
seamless migrations from existing 10 to 40GbE networking without requiring a redesign or
expansion of the fiber network. Besides, this transceiver also provides a cost-effective solution to
migrate from multimode to single-mode fiber, allows a single-mode fiber infrastructure for
distances up to 500m. The advantages of SMF&MMF 40G QSFP+ are as following.
Cabling Migrating from 10G to 40G
Existing 40G transceivers for short reach, QSFP+ SR4 and the extended reach QSFP+ CSR4, utilize
four independent 10G transmitters and receivers for an aggregate 40G link, which use an MPO-12
connector and require 8-fiber parallel multimode fiber (OM3 or OM4). However, a SMF&MMF
QSFP+ uses duplex LC connector, which is consistent with the existing 10G connections, which are
also commonly MMF cables with duplex LC connectors. Therefore, a SMF&MMF QSFP+ allows the
same cables to be used for direct 10G connections to direct 40G connections, resulting in zero-cost
cabling migration.

Increase Number of 40G Links in the Network

As existing MMF 40G solutions need the use of 8 fibers for a 40G link, customers have to add
additional fiber to increase the number of 40G links. By deploying the SMF&MMF 40G QSFP+
transceiver, customers increase the number of 40G links by 4 times without making any changes to
their fiber infrastructure, which greatly expand network scale and performance.

Migrate from Multimode to Single-mode Fiber

Fiberstore (FS.COM) | Do You Know about SMF&MMF 40G QSFP+ Transceiver?

WHITE PAPER
As data rates increase from 40G to 100G and beyond to 400G, there is a strong desire for data
centers to move to single-mode fiber for cost effectiveness. Due to the limitations of multimode
transceivers to support existing distances with ever increasing data rates, migrating to 100G and
400G in the future will be simpler with single-mode fiber. However, the single-mode transceivers
typically cost up to 4 times more compared to multimode transceivers. As SMF&MMF QSFP+
interoperates with 10km QSFP-LR4 optics, it s a cost effective solution for SM fiber infrastructure for
distances up to 500 m.
Simplify the Data Centers with a Mix of MMF and SMF Deployments
The SMF&MMF 40G QSFP+ transceiver offers the unique advantage of operating on both
multimode and single-mode fiber without any requirement for additional hardware or software.
Customers can consolidate their optics and use SMF&MMF QSFP +in their network irrespective of
the fiber type, which makes full use of the existing cabling systems, reduces the cost of deployment
and of support, and simplify purchasing and deployments.

Conclusion
The SMF&MMF 40G QSFP+ transceiver enables data centers running at 10G today to seamlessly
upgrade to 40G without having to re-design or modify the cable infrastructure, which allows
organizations to migrate their existing 10G infrastructure to 40G at zero cost of fiber and to expand
the infrastructure with low capital investment. It also offers a transition path for customer planning
migrations to single-mode fiber in data centers with a single transceiver that bridges the gap
between multi-mode and single-mode optics. With high-density 40G switches on hand, Fiberstore
SMF&MMF 40G QSFP+ transceiver provides a cost-effective solution for migrating to
next-generation 40G data center deployments.
Fiberstore SMF&MMF 40G QSFP+ Transceiver Solutions

Fiberstore (FS.COM) | Do You Know about SMF&MMF 40G QSFP+ Transceiver?

WHITE PAPER

Contact Us
Manufacturing R & D (China)

North America (United States)

Eastern Side, Second Floor, Science &

Technology Park, No.6, Keyuan Road,
Nanshan District, Shenzhen 518057,
China
Tel: +86 (755) 8300 3611
Fax: +86 (755) 8326 9395
Email: sales@fs.com

331 Andover Park East Ste330, Tukwila,

WA 98188,United States
Tel: +1-425-226-2035
Fax: +1-253-246-7881
Email: sales@fs.com

APAC Office (Hong Kong)

London Office (United Kingdom)

1220 Tung Chun Commercial Centre,

438-444 Shanghai Street, Kowloon,
Hong Kong
Tel: +852 81763606
Fax: +852 81763606
Email: sales@fs.com

Third Floor 207 Regent Street, London,

W1B 3HH, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 2081441980

Follow us
LinkedIn
Twitter
Facebook
G+
Pinterest
Youtube
Blog

Notice: This document is for informational purposes only and does not set forth any warranty, expressed or
implied, concerning any equipment, equipment features, or service offered or to be offered by Fiberstore.
Fiberstore reserves the right to make changes to this document at any time, without notice, and assumes no
responsibility for its use. This information document describes features that may not be currently available.
Contact a Fiberstore sales team for information on feature and product availability.

Fiberstore (FS.COM) | Do You Know about SMF&MMF 40G QSFP+ Transceiver?