40G QSFP+ TRANSCEIVERS
QSFP+ is a cost-efficient solution for 40G Ethernet that is popular for breakout to maximize fiber utilization
What is QSFP+?
QSFP+ (Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable Plus) is a compact, hot-pluggable transceiver designed for 40G Ethernet providing a balance of port density and power efficiency. While 100G or higher has become the primary upgrade path for legacy networks running 1-10G, QSFP+ remains in use for specific applications. For instance, QSFP+ breakout applications to 10G links is a relevant use case for enterprise DCI and service providers.
Smartoptics range of QSFP+ transceivers
Smartoptics offers a comprehensive range of QSFP+ transceivers, all for running 40G Ethernet at various distances, including:
- Short-range multimode QSFP+ – Designed for data center applications, supporting up to 150 meters over multimode fiber using MPO connectors.
- Long-range single-mode QSFP+ – Enables reliable 40G transmission up to 10 kilometers over single-mode fiber with LC connectors, suitable for metro and regional networks.
- DWDM QSFP+ for extended reach – Supports DWDM for long-distance data center interconnects and carrier transport networks.
All Smartoptics QSFP+ transceivers are compatible with major switch vendors, ensuring seamless integration into existing network architectures.
Selected benefits of Smartoptics QSFP+ transceivers
- Breaks out to 4× 10G SFP+ connections
- Interoperable with major switch vendors
- Supports multimode and single-mode fiber for flexible deployment
- Pluggable compact form factor
- Rigorously tested for thermal, electrical and optical reliability
- Enhanced digital diagnostic information via I2C interface
- Easily reprogrammable for additional uses
- Dedicated 24/7 in-house support
- Multi-source agreement (MSA) compliant
- QSFP-DD vs. OSFP – Key differences
QSFP+ vs. QSFP28 – Key differences
|
Feature |
QSFP+ | QSFP28 |
| Data rate | 40G Ethernet (4x 10G lanes) | 100G Ethernet (4x 25G lanes) |
| Backward compatibility | N/A | QSFP28 ports supports QSFP+ |
| Cost & Efficiency | Lower power consumption | Higher bandwidth efficiency with lower cost per Gbps |
For networks transitioning beyond 40G, Smartoptics QSFP28 transceivers provide a natural upgrade path to 100G Ethernet.
Transonders
QSFP+ breakout applications
With Smartoptics transponders, QSFP+ transceivers support breakout configurations, making it possible to repurpose a 40G port for multiple 10G connections.
- 1x QSFP+ (40G) → 4x SFP+ (10G)
Many networks today jump directly from 10G to 100G or higher, but QSFP+ breakout provides an alternative scaling strategy for 10G deployments. Instead of upgrading an entire network to 100G, organizations can extend the life of existing 10G infrastructure while improving port utilization. QSFP+ breakout allows four independent 10G links to operate over a single 40G transceiver, reducing the number of interfaces needed and optimizing fiber resources.
Keep in mind that QSFP+ breakout to SFP+ requires transponders and breakout cables since QSFP+ is not natively backwards compatible with SFP+. Learn more about how breakout and aggregation work.
dac & aoc
QSFP+ Cables: DAC & AOC
To complement QSFP+ transceivers, Smartoptics offers a range of QSFP+ cable solutions for different networking needs.
- QSFP+ Direct Attach Copper (DAC) cables – Provide a complete, cost-effective solution for short-distance connectivity, such as rack-to-rack links in data centers.
- QSFP+ Active Optical Cables (AOC) – Use real transceivers with fiber optics, offering longer-distance connectivity while remaining lightweight and flexible.
These QSFP+ cable solutions provide a reliable and scalable way to adapt and optimize high-speed connectivity across enterprise data centers and service provider networks.
Learn more or browes all our transceivers
Learn more about Smartoptics QSFP+ transceivers
Download the overview datasheet for QSFP+ transceivers, or browse all our transceivers, AOC and DAC cable assemblies.
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