SFP+, The 10G workhorse, server access, building backbones, branch core.
SFP+ is the ten-gigabit successor to SFP, defined by SFF-8431 and SFF-8432. Same 20-pin mechanical envelope as SFP, cages and host boards are usually compatible, with a 10.3125 Gbps NRZ SerDes lane. The most-deployed transceiver form factor in enterprise networks today.
Specifications
MSA references
SFF-8431 (electrical / mechanical) · SFF-8432 (management connector) · SFF-8472 rev 12 (DDM)
Electrical interface
1 lane × 10.3125 Gbps NRZ SerDes
Power consumption
0.7 W – 2.5 W (10GBASE-T at the top end)
Signalling
64B/66B encoded NRZ
FEC
Optional BASE-R FEC on some platforms; not required at 10G
Connector types
LC duplex (fiber) · RJ45 (10GBASE-T) · SFP+ DAC connector (twinax copper)
Available SKUs
| Part number | Spec | Wavelength | Fiber | Reach | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NAP-SFPP-SR | 10GBASE-SR | 850 nm | MM OM3/4 | 300 / 400 m | VCSEL |
NAP-SFPP-LR | 10GBASE-LR | 1310 nm | SM | 10 km | DFB |
NAP-SFPP-ER | 10GBASE-ER | 1550 nm | SM | 40 km | EML |
NAP-SFPP-ZR | 10GBASE-ZR | 1550 nm | SM | 80 km | EML, no amplifier |
NAP-SFPP-T | 10GBASE-T | — | Cat6a / Cat7 | 30 m typical | Runs hot |
NAP-SFPP-BX-D / BX-U | 10G BiDi | 1270/1330 nm | SM, single strand | 10 / 40 km | Single-fiber pair |
NAP-SFPP-DAC-1M…5M | 10G DAC | — | Twinax copper | 1–5 m | Passive direct attach |
NAP-SFPP-AOC-10M…30M | 10G AOC | 850 nm | — | 10–30 m | Active optical |
NAP-SFPP-DWDM | 10G DWDM | C-band | SM | 80 km | Tunable variant available |
In production with
SFP+ modules are deployed across these platforms today. Full coding details are on the compatibility matrix.
- Cisco Nexus 5K/9K, Catalyst 9300/9500/9600
- Juniper EX4300/4400/4600, QFX5100/5110
- Arista 7050X, 7280R, 7300X
- Dell S-series and Z-series
- Aruba CX 8000, NVIDIA Spectrum SN2000
Operational notes
Recommended for
- Modern enterprise server access (where 25G is not yet justified)
- Building backbones over OS2 single-mode
- Branch core uplinks and SD-WAN edge
- iSCSI / NFS storage on legacy gear