With the popularity of 400G and higher-speed optical communication technologies, QSFP-DD (Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable Double Density) and OSFP (Octal Small Form-factor Pluggable) have become the main transceiver module packages for data centers and hyperscale networks. Each package has its own advantages and is suitable for different deployment requirements.
Although the current demand growth for optical module suppliers mainly comes from 400G optical modules, 800G optical network technology designed to promote high-speed, high-density ports and low-latency data center connections (DCI) is ready to go. 800G optical modules can receive 8 billion bits per second, more than twice the use of the previous generation (400G) optical modules.
What is QSFP-DD?
QSFP-DD is an enhanced version of the traditional QSFP interface. “DD” stands for Double Density, meaning it offers twice the number of electrical lanes compared to previous generations while maintaining a similar form factor.
Technical Specifications
Parameter | Description |
Form Factor | Similar to QSFP28 |
Electrical Lanes | 8 lanes, each up to 50Gbps |
Max Bandwidth | 400Gbps (8 × 50G PAM4) |
Backward Compatibility | Compatible with QSFP28 / QSFP+ / QSFP56 |
Hot Pluggable | Yes |
Electrical Interface | 76-pin |
Features
● High port density with compact size
● Backward compatible with existing QSFP modules
● Supports PAM4 modulation for high-speed transmission
What is OSFP?
OSFP stands for Octal Small Form-factor Pluggable, a new form factor designed specifically for 400G/800G applications. It supports higher power and improved thermal performance for next-generation networking.
Technical Specifications
Parameter | Description |
Form Factor | Slightly larger than QSFP-DD |
Electrical Lanes | 8 lanes, up to 50Gbps or more |
Max Bandwidth | 400Gbps / 800Gbps |
Backward Compatibility | Not backward compatible with QSFP |
Thermal Capability | Higher, supports modules up to 15W+ |
Hot Pluggable | Yes |
Features
● Superior thermal management, ideal for high-power modules
● Future-ready for 800G and 1.6T upgrades
● Widely adopted by hyperscale cloud providers (e.g., Google, Meta)
QSFP-DD vs OSFP Comparison
Feature | QSFP-DD | OSFP |
Size | Similar to QSFP28 | Slightly larger |
Bandwidth | 400G (upgradable to 800G) | 400G / 800G |
Electrical Lanes | 8 × 50G | 8 × 50G or higher |
Backward Compatibility | Compatible with QSFP28/QSFP56 | Not compatible |
Thermal Performance | Moderate (up to 12W) | Excellent (up to 15W+) |
Deployment Use | High-density switches, backward-compatible upgrades | High-performance AI/HPC networks |
QSFP-DD Application Scenarios
● Enterprise and traditional data center upgrades: Enables smooth migration from 100G to 400G using existing QSFP ports.
● Core switches and routers: Ideal for spine-leaf architectures.
● Carrier networks and telecom: Suitable for networks needing backward compatibility and high density.
OSFP Applications Scenarios
● Hyperscale data centers: Used by large cloud platforms like Google and Meta for AI training clusters and backbone networks.
● AI/HPC connectivity: Supports high-power 800G AOC/DAC cables for GPU interconnection and high-speed computation.
● Next-gen networks: Prepares networks for 800G and beyond (e.g., 1.6T).
Recommended Products from Sopto Technology
Model | Interface Type | Speed | Distance | Use Case |
SPT-QSFP-DD-MSR8 | QSFP-DD | 400G | 100m/OM4 | Short-reach data center interconnect |
SPT-QSFP-DD-FR4 | QSFP-DD | 400G | 2KM | Data center interconnect |
SPT-QSFP-DD-LR4 | QSFP-DD | 400G | 10KM | Data center to metro access |
SPT-OSFP-SR8 | OSFP | 800G | 100m | Cloud backbone and AI network fabric |
SPT-OSFP-DR8 | OSFP | 800G | 500m | Data Center and Cloud Networking |
SPT-OSFP-LR8 | OSFP | 800G | 10KM | Data Center and Cloud Networking |
If you need to choose the right optical module for your network equipment, welcome to learn about the full range of SFP/SFP+ optical module products provided by Sopto. We provide you with high-quality, compatible and cost-effective solutions. Inquiry [email protected], My whatsapp: https://wa.me/+8618688759008/
Tags : 400G QSFP-DD, 800G OSFP, Fiber Optical Transceiver
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