40GBASE QSFP+ AOC and 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ Transceiver, Which Is Your Choice

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40GBASE QSFP+ AOC

and 40GBASE-SR4
QSFP+ Transceiver,
Which Is Your Choice?
Fiber optic transceiver as an integral part of overall system design, has been greatly improved in the
past decades driven by the increasing needs for speed and performance. 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+
transceiver which has small size and can support conversion between optical signals and electrical
signals of high data rate, is now a commonly applied interconnection solution in data center for
short distance. Meanwhile, an alternative for network interconnection is also catching our attention.
This rising star is known as AOC (active optical cable), which is kind of DAC (direct attach cable) and
can also support interconnection in data center.
A 40G AOC usually contains a length of fiber optic cable connected with QSFP+ connectors on both
ends. There are also fanout versions of 40GBASE QSFP+ AOC with one end connected with a QSFP+
connector and the other end with several SFP+/XFP connectors. Compared with copper DAC, the
interconnection relay on 40GBASE QSFP+ to QSFP+ AOC has more advantages in transmission
distance, bend radius, cable size, cable weight and cable management. Compared with
40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ transceiver, 40G AOC removed the need for fiber optic connectors and have a
similar performance as the former, which seems to be a much more faster and easier methods for
40G interconnection. However, everything has its pros and cons. 40G QSFP+ AOC and 40G QSFP+
SR4 transceiver, which should be your choice? The following is offering the answer.
Fiberstore (FS.COM) | 40GBASE QSFP+ AOC and 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ Transceiver, Which Is Your
Choice?
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To figure out which one is more suitable for your applications, the comparison between the two
components should be conducted from the following aspects: transmission distance, reliability,
installation and maintenance, monitoring, and cost.
Transmission Distance
Optical signals are weaken as the transmission distance increases. Thus, to ensure the transmission
quality, the transmission distance should be the first aspects to determine which one is better for
your applications. Generally, 40G QSFP+ SR4 can support longer transmission distance than that of
40G QSFP+ AOC. For 40G transmission, if the distance is less than 100 meters, 40G QSFP+ AOC and
40G SR4 QSFP+ transceiver could have nearly the same performances. However, when the
transmission distance is longer than 100 meters, the performance of 40G AOC will be limited. In this
case, 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ will have a better performance. However, Fiberstore can provide 40G
AOC supporting 40G transmission distance up to 300 meters.
Reliability
Cables and connectors in data center inevitably need to be plugged out from devices like switches
or servers for regular use and maintenance. With the actions of repeating plugging, the reliability
and stability of a component became extremely important. The connectors of 40G AOC is factory
pre-terminated, while QSFP+ SR4 transceivers is connected by additional MPO connectors and fiber
optic cable. Thus, compared with QSFP+ SR4 transceiver, AOC is less affected by the repeating plug
during daily use. In addition, there will be no insertion loss and return loss of 40G AOC, which can
ensure its reliability furthermore. It has been proved that AOC has better reliability than that of
transceivers.
Installation and Maintenance

Both 40G AOC and 40G QSFP+ SR4 transceiver are highly integrated components that provide
increased port density and high data rate connection with great convenience during installation and
maintenance. However, 40GBASE QSFP+ AOC is superior in this aspect. This is mainly because, it is
factory pre-terminated. Just plug the connectors on the devices, the AOC can start working. It
eliminates the process of linking two modules, which must be done for interconnection using 40G
QSFP+ SR4 transceivers. Moreover, if there is a fault, you can just replace the AOC. However, the
tests for the MPO connectors and cables are needed if 40G QSFP+ SR4 transceivers are used. Thus,
AOC is easier and faster in installation and maintenance.
Choice?
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Digital Diagnostic Monitoring

Digital diagnostic monitoring, shorts for DDM, is a function that most modern transceivers have.
With this function the working performance of optics can be visually tested and controlled. No
doubt that 40G QSFP+ SR4 has DDM function. The coupler state and sensitivity of this 40G
transceiver can be adjusted to the best with the help of DDM. Currently, 40G AOC provided by the
market doesnt have such a strong function.
Cost
Choosing a solution for 40G interconnection, the cost must be considered from two main aspects.
One is the material cost, the other is the maintenance cost. Currently the market price of 40G
QSFP+ AOC is generally lower than 40G QSFP+ SR4 transceiver. To accomplish the connection,
additional cost for patch cables should be considered for interconnection using 40G QSFP+ SR4
transceivers. For maintenance, as above mentioned, AOC is faster and easier which do not require
much skills and saves labor. If the cost is limited, then AOC could be your choice.
Conclusion
After the comparison, it is clear that 40GBASE QSFP+ AOC is more reliable and stable than 40GBASE
SR4 QSFP+ transceiver and costs less for 40G interconnection. However, it cannot perform as much
good as 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ when the transmission distance is longer than 100 meters. And the
function of DDM can help this 40G transceiver find its best working state, which is cannot be
achieved by AOC. With these instructions, can you figure out which is the one you need? For better
selecting, Fiberstore provides 40GBASE QSFP+ AOC and 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ transceiver in various
specification for your reference. These modules and AOC can be trusted totally, cause they will be
all tested before go to the market. Kindly contact [email protected] or visit FS.COM for more details.
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Contact Us
Manufacturing R & D (China)
North America (United States)
Eastern Side, Second Floor, Science &

Technology Park, No.6, Keyuan Road,
Nanshan District, Shenzhen 518057,
China
Tel: +86 (755) 8300 3611
Fax: +86 (755) 8326 9395
Email: [email protected]
331 Andover Park East Ste330, Tukwila,

WA 98188,United States
Tel: +1-425-226-2035
Fax: +1-253-246-7881
APAC Office (Hong Kong)
London Office (United Kingdom)
1220 Tung Chun Commercial Centre,

438-444 Shanghai Street, Kowloon,
Hong Kong
Tel: +852 81763606
Fax: +852 81763606
Third Floor 207 Regent Street, London,

W1B 3HH, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 2081441980
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Notice: This document is for informational purposes only and does not set forth any warranty, expressed or
implied, concerning any equipment, equipment features, or service offered or to be offered by Fiberstore.
Fiberstore reserves the right to make changes to this document at any time, without notice, and assumes no
responsibility for its use. This information document describes features that may not be currently available.
Contact a Fiberstore sales team for information on feature and product availability.
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40GBASE QSFP+ AOC

Installation and Maintenance

Digital Diagnostic Monitoring

North America (United States)

Eastern Side, Second Floor, Science &

331 Andover Park East Ste330, Tukwila,

APAC Office (Hong Kong)

London Office (United Kingdom)

1220 Tung Chun Commercial Centre,

Third Floor 207 Regent Street, London,

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