QSFP28 VS QSFP56 : What’s the Difference?

As a member of the QSFP package family, the QSFP28 and QSFP56 packages play an important role in their respective fields. But because of technology, cost and other reasons, do you still have some confusion in the purchase process? Now follow us to explore the differences: QSFP28 VS QSFP56 packages.

QSFP28 VS QSFP56: Performance comparison

QSFP packaging technology is known as Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable, including QSFP+, QSFP28, QSFP56, and QSFP-DD. The QSFP package adopts MSA and IEEE standards to ensure perfect compatibility and high-speed transmission of the module. The QSFP28 optical module is mainly used for 100Gbps transmission rate and has four lanes, each of which has a transmission rate of 25G. The QSFP28 package adopts NRZ modulation technology (Non-Return to Zero), which has advantages in short-distance transmission and is easy to understand. However, its anti-interference ability is weak, and the bandwidth efficiency also shows limitations. Comparatively, the QSFP56 optical module is mainly used for 200Gbps transmission rate with PAM4 modulation technology (Pulse Amplitude Modulation with 4 Levels). PAM4 modulation technology adopts more advanced technology, which reflects high bandwidth efficiency, strong anti-interference ability. And it is suitable for long-distance transmission.

The following table shows a comparison of some of the QSFP28 and QSFP56 packages offered by Mvslink:

QSFP28 VS QSFP56: Application Comparison

QSFP28 modules support 100Gbps transmission rate and have various product types, such as SR4, LR4, PSM4, BIDI, CWDM, SWDM. These transceivers are widely used in various scenarios. Such as the connection between various devices in data centers and data transmission in telecommunication networks. The QSFP56 optical module can provide higher speed data transmission due to the use of advanced modulation technologies. At the same time, the QSFP56 optical module continues the compatibility characteristics of QSFP optical module. This package can be backward compatible with QSFP28 package, which is convenient for subsequent upgrade and expansion. It is widely used in scenarios that require higher transmission rates and efficiency such as enterprise networks, cloud services, and HPC. Both are capable of functioning in the data center, QSFP28 can already meet most of the needs. But if you’re looking for the ultimate result, QSFP56 is the way to go.

QSFP28 vs QSFP56: Cost Comparison

But if you’re looking for the ultimate result, QSFP56 is the way to go. Due to its technical superiority and complexity, the cost of QSFP56 optical transceiver is higher than that of general QSFP28 optical transceivers. In scenarios that require high-speed information transmission, such as high-performance computing centers, QSFP56 is the first choice. However, if you have a limited budget, QSFP28 is actually a good choice. In addition, there are many price gaps between optical modules with different rates and transmission rates. So it is necessary to consider the actual situation of the moment and choose the most cost-effective product.

Tips: Configuration Flexibility

QSFP56 theoretically provides a rate of 50Gbps on a single channel. However, in practical applications, in order to cooperate with the special network architecture, the QSFP56 can be adjusted to a single-channel rate of 25Gbps. The existing 100G network basically uses the QSFP28 interface, and the QSFP56 can be compatible with the 100G network by adjusting the internal structure.

Summary

Through the above analysis, I believe you have a preliminary understanding of the comparison of these two packages and how to choose. Through the above analysis, I believe you have a preliminary understanding of the comparison of these two packages. Furthermore, you should now have a clearer idea of how to choose between them. It is foreseeable that with the upgrading of technology and the change of market demand, the modules of these two packages will play a more important role in the future.