In the area of Network Hardware, we always talks about SFP, SFP+ or XFP. Then, what are they? What are their differences?
Here, I’d like to share you some information of these things.
What is SFP?
The Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) is a compact, hot-pluggable transceiver used for both telecommunication and data communications applications.
The form factor and electrical interface are specified by a multi-source agreement (MSA) under the auspices of the SFF Committee.
It is a popular industry format jointly developed and supported by many network component vendors.
The SFP interfaces a network device motherboard (for a switch, router, media converter or similar device) to a fiber optic or copper networking cable.
SFP transceivers are designed to support SONET, gigabit Ethernet, Fibre Channel, and other communications standards.
Due to its smaller size, SFP obsolesces the formerly ubiquitous gigabit interface converter (GBIC); the SFP is sometimes referred to as a Mini-GBIC. In fact, no device with this name has ever been defined in the MSAs.
What are SFP+ and XFP?
XFP stands for 10 gigabit small form factor pluggable. They usually operate at optical wavelengths (colors) of 850nm, 1310nm or 1550nm. XFP complies with the agreement known as XFP MSA agreement.
SFP+ modules are smaller than XFP. SFP+ fiber optic transceivers comply with the protocol based on IEEE 802.3ae, SFF-8431 and SFF-8432.
Actually, SFP+ and XFP are enhanced version of the SFP.
What are the differences among SFP, SFP+ and XFP?
Here is a comparison.
Furthermore, we hear about CSFP. What is it?
The compact small form-factor pluggable (CSFP) is a version of SFP with the same mechanical form factor allowing two independent bidirectional channels per port.
It is used primarily to increase port density and decrease fiber usage per port.
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