How to Convert a Port From QSFP+ to SFP+ Port?
How to Convert a Port From QSFP+ to SFP+ Port?
With the arrival of 40G Ethernet, many enterprise users have to think about how to migrate their network to a 40G network with full use of the current 10G network infrastructure. Specifically, when new 40G switches with QSFP+ ports are added in, how to directly connect them with your existing 10GbE devices (like switches and servers) with SFP+ ports is the top thing you need to consider. In this post, three widely used migration solutions to directly convert a port from QSFP+ to SFP+ will be shared for your reference.
1️⃣ QSFP+ to SFP+: QSFP+ Breakout Cable
The first method to directly convert QSFP+ to SFP+ port is using the QSFP+ breakout cable. QSFP+ breakout cables now can be found in direct attach cable (DAC) and active optical cable (AOC) types. Mostly, both two types are pre-terminated with a QSFP+ transceiver on one end and four SFP+ transceivers on the other end, which are known as QSFP+ to SFP+ breakout cables. The difference lies in that DAC is designed with copper cables while AOC uses fiber optics.
In addition, there is another type of 40G AOC breakout cable - QSFP+ to 4 duplex LC cable. It has an QSFP+ transceiver pre-terminated on one end but LC duplex connectors at the other end, which requires additional SFP+ transceivers when used
No matter what type you choose, all these QSFP+ breakout cables can split a 40G connectivity into 4x10G channels, while you connect them with a QSFP+ switch on the one end and several 10G devices (up to four) containing SFP+ ports on the other end.
2️⃣ QSFP+ to SFP+: MTP/MPO-LC Breakout Cable
https://www.5g-fibre.com/data-center/mtp-mpo-jumpers/8f-breakout-mpo-to-lc-patch-cable.html
The second way to convert QSFP+ to SFP+ port is using MTP/MPO to LC breakout cable. This solution is similar to the prior solution but without the transceiver pre-terminated on each end. With an MTP/MPO connector on one side, MPO/MTP 8-fiber assembly is often equipped with four LC duplex connectors on the other side. To realize the conversion from 40G to 10G using MTP/MPO to LC breakout cable, you need to add one QSFP+ transceiver with MTP/MPO interface and four SFP+ modules with duplex LC interfaces. As the figure is shown below, you just need to plug the cables into the matching 10G or 40G transceivers and then insert these transceivers into QSFP+ port or SFP+ ports.
3️⃣ QSFP+ to SFP+: QSFP-SFP10G-CVR (QSA)
Another way to directly convert QSFP+ to SFP+ port is via the help of a 10G type of the QSA (quad small form-factor pluggable adapter): QSFP-SFP10G-CVR. Built-in a QSFP+ form factor with a cage for SFP+ module at the back, this QSFP+ to SFP+ adapter enables smooth connectivity between devices that use 40G QSFP+ port and 10G SFP+ port. To have a 10G connection, you can insert an SFP+ module into a QSFP+ to SFP+ adapter and then connect this QSFP-SFP10G-CVR adapter to a QSFP+ port. In that connection, the QSFP+ to SFP+ adapter will act as an interface of an SFP+ module.
