What Is a 100G QSFP28 Transceiver?

A 100G QSFP28 (Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable 28) transceiver is a high-speed optical or copper networking module that provides data transmission speeds of up to 100 Gigabits per second (100GbE). QSFP28 modules are widely used in data centers, enterprise networks, cloud computing, telecommunications, and high-performance computing (HPC) environments.

Compared to older 40G QSFP+ modules, QSFP28 offers significantly higher bandwidth while maintaining a compact form factor, making it ideal for modern high-density network deployments.

How Does QSFP28 Work?

QSFP28 modules utilize four high-speed electrical lanes, each operating at 25 Gbps, to achieve an aggregate throughput of 100 Gbps.

Depending on the application, QSFP28 modules can transmit data over:

Single Mode Fiber (SMF)
Multimode Fiber (MMF)
Direct Attach Copper (DAC)
Active Optical Cable (AOC)

This flexibility allows network administrators to choose the most cost-effective solution based on distance and performance requirements.

Common Types of 100G QSFP28 Transceivers

QSFP28 SR4

Uses Multimode Fiber (OM3/OM4)
850nm wavelength
MPO-12 connector
Up to 70m on OM3
Up to 100m on OM4

Best for:

Data centers
Short-distance server connections

QSFP28 PSM4

Single Mode Fiber
1310nm wavelength
MPO connector
Up to 500 meters

Best for:

Medium-distance campus links

QSFP28 CWDM4

Single Mode Fiber
Duplex LC connector
1310nm CWDM wavelengths
Up to 2km

Ideal for:

Enterprise backbone
Data center interconnects

QSFP28 LR4

Single Mode Fiber
Duplex LC connector
1310nm LAN-WDM
Up to 10km

Perfect for:

Campus networking
Metro networks

QSFP28 ER4

Single Mode Fiber
Duplex LC connector
Up to 40km

Used for:

Long-distance telecommunications
Service providers

QSFP28 DAC (Direct Attach Copper)

Passive or Active Copper Cable

Typical lengths:

0.5m
1m
2m
3m
5m

Advantages:

Lowest cost
Lowest latency
No optical components

Ideal for:

Switch-to-switch connections
Switch-to-server links inside racks

QSFP28 AOC (Active Optical Cable)

Integrated optical cable

Advantages:

Lightweight
Longer reach than DAC
Easy installation

Common lengths:

5m
10m
20m
30m
50m
100m

Advantages of QSFP28

High Performance

Supports:

100 Gigabit Ethernet
InfiniBand EDR
High-performance computing

High Density

QSFP28 allows many 100G ports in a single switch, maximizing rack space.

Lower Power Consumption

Most optical QSFP28 modules consume approximately 3–4.5 watts, reducing operating costs.

Flexible Connectivity

Available for:

Copper
Multimode fiber
Single mode fiber

QSFP28 vs QSFP+

Feature	QSFP+	QSFP28
Speed	40G	100G
Lane Speed	10G x4	25G x4
Max Bandwidth	40 Gbps	100 Gbps
Primary Use	Legacy Networks	Modern Data Centers

Compatible Brands

100G QSFP28 transceivers are available for many leading networking manufacturers, including:

Cisco
Juniper
Arista
Dell
HPE
NVIDIA
Mellanox
Extreme Networks
Ubiquiti
Brocade
Huawei
MikroTik
NetApp

Compatible modules offer excellent interoperability while reducing networking costs.

Applications

100G QSFP28 modules are commonly deployed in:

Cloud data centers
AI infrastructure
Storage Area Networks (SAN)
Enterprise backbone networks
Internet Service Providers
Financial trading networks
High-performance computing clusters
Telecommunications

How to Choose the Right QSFP28 Module

Before purchasing, consider:

Required transmission distance
Fiber type (Single Mode or Multimode)
Connector type (LC or MPO)
Switch compatibility
Operating temperature
DOM (Digital Optical Monitoring) support
Required data rate

Selecting the correct module ensures reliable performance and minimizes deployment issues.

Why Choose Fiber Optic Distribution?

At Fiber Optic Distribution, we offer high-quality compatible 100G QSFP28 transceivers engineered for reliable performance with leading networking brands. Every module is thoroughly tested for compatibility and performance before shipment, providing enterprise-grade networking at a competitive price.

Whether you need SR4, LR4, CWDM4, PSM4, ER4, DAC, or AOC solutions, we provide dependable products backed by responsive customer support and fast shipping.

Conclusion

100G QSFP28 transceivers have become the standard for high-speed networking, delivering exceptional performance, scalability, and flexibility for today's data centers and enterprise networks. By selecting the right QSFP28 module for your distance, fiber type, and network equipment, you can build a reliable infrastructure ready for future growth.

Need help selecting the right 100G QSFP28 transceiver? Contact Fiber Optic Distribution for expert guidance and high-quality compatible networking solutions.