What is the difference of SFP+, SFP and XFP?

The 10G module has been developed from 300Pin. XENPAK, X2, XFP and finally achieve with the same size as SFP which can transmit 10G signals called SFP+.

SFP by virtue of its small cost and other advantages to meet the needs of high-density equipment, SFP+ has been replaced the XFP 10G modules and became the mainstream.

The advantages of SFP+ modules:

1. SFP+ has a more compact form factor package than X2 and XFP.

2. It can connect with the same type of XFP, X2 and XENPAK directly.

3. The cost of SFP+ is lower than XFP, X2 and XENPAK.

The differences between SFP and SFP+

They have the same size and appearance, but in different standard which SFP is based on IEEE802.3 and SFF-8472.

The connection between XFP and SFP+

1. Both of them are 10G fiber optical modules and can connect with other type of 10G modules.

2. The size of SFP+ is smaller than XFP, thus it moves some functions to motherboard, including signal modulation function, MAC, CDR and EDC.

3. XFP is based on the standard of XFP MSA.

4. SFP+ is compliance with the protocol of IEEE802.3ae, SFF-8431, SFF-8432.

5. SFP+ is the mainstream design.

April 9, 2012

Continue