What Is an Optical Module

On an optical network, a sender needs to convert electrical signals into optical signals before sending them to a receiver, and the receiver needs to convert received optical signals into electrical signals. An optical module is a component that completes electrical/optical conversion on an optical network. Figure 10-2 shows the structure of an optical module.

Figure 10-2 Structure of an optical module (using an SFP/eSFP optical module as an example)

Figure 10-3 shows an SFP/eSFP optical module.

Figure 10-3 SFP/eSFP optical module

Figure 10-4 shows the appearance of an SFP+ optical module.

Figure 10-4 Appearance of an SFP+ optical module

Figure 10-5 shows the appearance of an SFP28 optical module.

Figure 10-5 SFP28 optical module

Figure 10-6 and Figure 10-7 show the appearance of a QSFP+ optical module.

Figure 10-6 Appearance of a QSFP+ optical module (for LC optical fibers)

Figure 10-7 Appearance of a QSFP+ optical module (for MPO optical fibers)

The side with an L-shaped notch close to the connector is the top of a QSFP+ optical module, as shown in Figure 10-6. When connecting a QSFP+ optical module to a port, keep the top side upward. Do not insert the QSFP+ optical module upside down.

Currently, there is no formal standard for 40G Ethernet. Therefore, a device may not display complete diagnostic information about 40GE optical modules. This is an acceptable fact in the telecommunications industry and does not affect functions of 40GE optical modules.

Figure 10-8 shows the appearance of a CSFP optical module.

Figure 10-8 Appearance of a CSFP optical module

Figure 10-9 shows the appearance of an XFP module.

Figure 10-9 Appearance of an XFP optical module

The SFP+ and XFP optical modules are 10GE hot-swappable optical modules. Compared with the SFP+ optical modules, the XFP optical modules have a larger caliber.

Figure 10-10 and Figure 10-11 show CFP optical modules for different optical fibers.

Figure 10-10 CFP 100GE optical module (for LC optical fibers)

Figure 10-11 CFP 100GE optical module (for MPO optical fibers)

Figure 10-12 and Figure 10-13 show the appearance of a QSFP28 optical module.

Figure 10-12 Appearance of a QSFP28 optical module (for MPO optical fibers)

Figure 10-13 Appearance of a QSFP28 optical module (for LC optical fibers)