Understanding of 10GBASE-T SFP+

Copper Transceiver Modules

April 14, 2017

With the broad adoption of network function virtualization (NFV) and unified
data and storage networking toady, servers are now seeing increased I/O
demands. To keep pace with the increased I/O demand, network access line
rates have migrated from 1Gb/s to 10Gb/s. Several connectivity solutions
exist to service these network access needs including direct attach cables
(DAC), optical transceiver modules and 10gbase-t sfp+ transceiver. Each
comes with its own set of distinct advantages and disadvantages, but only
the new 10g sfp+ copper transceiver offers the potential to deliver power
saving connectivity by utilizing Cat 6a/7 cable infrastructure with pay-as-
you-grow flexibility.

The 10GBASE-T SFP+ copper transceiver is specifically designed for high

speed communication links that require 10 Gigabit Ethernet over Cat 6a/7
cable with a link limit of 30 m. It is the first 10G copper SFP RJ45 module
that offers 10Gb/s communication over Ethernet copper cables. In addition,
this 10gbase-t rj45 sfp transceiver is compliant with SFF-8431 and SFF-
8432 MSA. The power usage and heat generated for 10GBASE-T is 4-8
watts, but 10GBASE-T SFP+ copper transceiver consumes 2.5 watts.
Obviously, the specification of SFP+ 10gbase-t rj45 transceiver has been
optimized to save more than 0.5 W per port when compared to an
embedded 10GBASE-T RJ45 port for link distances up to 30m. These
power savings can add-up in ToR, mid-row and end-of-row switch
connectivity. Implemented as an SFP+ form factor, the new 10GBASE-T
copper sfp transceiver is a power-optimized solution for lengths up to 30m.
Figure 1: 10gbase-t SFP+ RJ45 transceiver
module on sale
10GBASE-T SFP+ Modules Vs. SFP+ DAC Cables
As mentioned above, the maximum linking distance of 10GBASE-T SFP+
module is 30m, while the SFP+ 10G copper cable is up to 7m. Furthermore,
SFP+ 10GBASE-T module has reduced the power consumption of 10G
copper modules, which is great news for the heavy-loaded 10G data center
networks. The 10G SFP+ DAC cable has significantly lower overall cost
when you include a switch, NIC and cable, however 10GBase-T copper sfp+
transceiver has more flexibility and can reach longer distance. For data
centers, the advantages of SFP+ 10G copper cable are a very good match
for today’ s requirements and emerging trends. That’s why SFP+ DAC is
being adopted rapidly as the best practice for new data centers. For wiring
closets, 10GBase-T copper sfp transceiver module will be the obvious
choice once the demand for bandwidth becomes more acute and once the
price and power for 10GBase-T technology comes down.

10GBASE-T SFP+ Modules Vs. SFP+ Optical

Modules
Both of the 10g copper SFP RJ45 module and SFP+ fiber module are hot-
pluggable with a managed soft-start and are interoperable with any SFP+
cage and connector system. However, 10gbe sfp+ vs 10gbase-t: they have
total different performance when plugging into the 10G switches. 10G
copper SFP+ module uses the 10G RJ45 cable Cat6a cable for a link length
of 30 m over RJ45 connectors. SFP+ SR operates over OM3 cables with a
distance of 300m over LC connectors, while SFP+ LR optics utilizes the
OS2 LC duplex cables for a distance of 10 km. Short wavelength (850nm)
optical transceiver modules can be used for lengths up to 300m at 10Gb/s
data rates. In comparison, multi-mode fiber cabling is considerably more
expensive than Cat 6a UTP and the solution overall is not well suited for
cost sensitive network edge applications. Field termination of fiber requires
special skill sets and tools which significantly increase the complexity and
cost of installation.

Why Is a 10GBASE-T SFP+ Copper Transceiver

Module Needed?
From what we have discussed, we can see that the power consumption of
10GBASE-T SFP+ Copper module is higher than 10G SFP+ Copper cable
and SFP+ optical transceiver. And its price is also higher than the other two
components. But with the available cheap SFP+ DAC and reliable SFP+ fiber
optics available for 10Gbps application, why should people use the 10gb
SFP+ copper transceiver modules?

Firstly, in data centers like the enterprise system, the length of the vast
majority of links lies between 10 meters and 100 meters. The 10GBASE-T
transceiver which provides 10Gb/s of data transmission over distance of 30
meters implements the limitation of SFP+ DAC. Secondly, with the common
RJ-45 connector, 10G copper sfp module has the benefits over SFP+
solutions. Because copper-based infrastructure is far less expensive than
fiber optics. Thirdly, 10GBASE-T SFP+ copper transceiver is convenient for
operators to deploy their network systems. When connecting 10G modules
to copper networks, RJ45 10GBASE-T SFP+ copper transceiver can be
directly added into the copper networks, while the 10G SFP+ optical fiber
transceiver needs to connect with Ethernet switch or media converter to
realize this connection.

It is true that 10GBASE-T Cat 6a/7 cabling can provide limited support of
10GBASE-T in some environments, but the reality is that there are several
compelling reasons to specify SFP+ 10GBASE-T copper modules in a new
10 Gbps-ready data center:

Smaller Form Factor: Interoperable with any SFP+ cage and connector
system

Reliability: The RJ45 connector interface is rock solid. No surprises when

deployed in your data center

Reach: Up to 30 m over Cat 6a UTP cable, sufficient for all network access
use cases

Innovation: Hot-pluggable with a managed soft-start

Performance: Full PHY presentation, which means nothing is missing

Cost: Pay-as-you-grow model that performs for today and scales for
tomorrow

10GBASE-T SFP+ Copper Transceiver Application

Scenario
As it has been mentioned before, 10Gb SFP+ copper transceiver is based
on 10GBASE-T, which has the advantage of being an interoperable,
standard-based technology that uses the familiar RJ-45 connector and
provides backwards compatibility with legacy networks. Supporting top of
rack, middle of row or end of row architectures, the 10G SFP+ copper
transceiver can extend the life of any switch hardware, without having to
change the existing infrastructure. The following pictures present the two
application cases for 10G RJ45 transceiver .

Scenario one: Connecting server and/or storage appliances with 10GBASE-

T RJ-45 to a SFP+ network switch

Figure 2: 10GBASE-T SFP+ copper transceiver

connecting server and storage
Scenario two: Network upgrade to 10G at edge switches

Figure 3: 10GBASE-T SFP+ copper transceiver at

edge switch
Summary
The new 10GBASE-T SFP+ copper transceiver module delivers
compatibility with Cat 6a UTP structured cabling up to 30m link distance, at
a minimum of 0.5W power saving per port embedded over 10GBASE-T
RJ45 ports. By using the existing SFP+ port for copper transmission, 10G
copper SFP module offers greater flexibility for low density 10G copper
applications than a fixed-port 10G switch. Network Edge equipment,
developed with SFP+ ports and designed for the new 10GBASE-T copper
SFP+ transceiver module, can be deployed to precisely match today’s
network edge bandwidth demand. It can also be migrated to a pay-as-you-
grow model to meet future demand, optimizing initial capital expenditures
and ongoing operating costs.

Related Article:

Why 10GBASE-T

FS 10GBASE-T Switch with 40G QSFP Uplink Case Study

Cat6 vs Cat6a: Which Is the Better 10GBASE-T Cable?

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