[c-nsp] QSFP to SFP+ over 300 meters: Can it be done out of box?

[Phil Bedard]

Traditionally most people aren't using those for long reach applications just higher top of rack density, or within the same datacenter.   But now switches are starting to come with more and more qsfp+ ports.  

Good news is optics vendors like Avago, Finisar, etc. are making what you want which is a 4x10GE SM 10KM QFSP+ module.   But they have only been announced in the few months so there is no Cisco or other device vendor version yet as far as I know.   You may be able to get them and have them work via the unsupported-transceivers command, as long as the electrical,side remains compatible.  

Phil

On Jun 20, 2013, at 10:08 PM, Troy Lucero <troy at osihardware.com> wrote:

> Anyone care to comment on trying to go from a 40gig port to a 10gig port over 300 meters?
> 
> I seem to have discovered that the QSFP+ standard for 10 gig is not flexible for long-haul applications.
> 
> I am deploying a couple Nexus 6004's (mixed 40gig and 10gig) for various distances but can't seem to find a basic way to connect without having to commit budget suicide.
> 
> One of the selling points of the QSFP+ standard is that you can use a break-away cable for 10gig applications, right?
> 
> Well, seems not really.  Here are the 10gig options in a 40Gig port:
> 
> -For 10 meter or less the solution is to use a QSFP-to-4xSFP10G-splitter/break-away/twinax cable.  Check.
> 
> -For 300 meter or less use QSFP-40G-SR4 with a MPO-to-4xLC splitter/break-away/fiber cable (multimode).  (Looks like this: http://support.f5.com/kb/global/manual_images/MAN-0423-00/img_qsfp_breakout_cable.png)  Check.
> 
> -For 300m-10km use.....?
> 
> Seems there is no option here.  The QSFP-40G/E-LR4 doesn't have an MPO connector like its' SR4 counterpart, so there is no MPO break-away option to choose from if I want to go 10gig over singlemode.
> 
> I can't be the only person who has tried this?  Seems like a flaw in the standard to not allow you to connect 10gig beyond 300 meters right out of the box for devices that have QSFP ports.
> 
> "Dear IEEE.  My budget hates your standard.  XOXO."
> 
> tal
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