SFP vs. SFP+: What's the Difference?

The main difference between SFP and SFP+ is their data rate. Otherwise, they both are compact media connectors that eliminate the requirement for excess modules of various media types for network repairs or upgrades. Therefore, they reduce network equipment inventories and help future-proof network upgrades.

SFP stands for small form-factor pluggable, and these transceivers support data rates up to 1Gbps. SFP+ stands for enhanced small form-factor pluggable, and it is backward compatible to SFP that can support higher data rates up to 16 Gbps.

SFP vs. SFP+ Compatibility

The SFP and SFP+ transceiver modules are compatible with almost all network devices like Ethernet routers, Ethernet Switches, PoE Fiber Switches, Ethernet media converters, Ethernet switches, and T1/E1 Multiplexers, which have the SFP ports. As the SFP and SFP+ transceiver modules are portable and interchangeable, they can be easily installed in the network switches for communication.

• SFP Compatibility

SFP transceivers are compatible with managed media converters, unmanaged media converters, PoE switches, industrial PoE switches, Ethernet media converters, and most 3rd party products to meet specific networking protocols and media requirements. The SFP transceivers support multi-mode dual fiber, single-mode dual fiber, single-mode single-fiber, Coarse Wave Division Multiplexing, and unshielded twisted pair (UTP) copper cabling.

• SFP+ Compatibility

The SFP+ transceivers are compatible with managed media converters and Ethernet switch products to meet specific networking protocols and media requirements. The SFP+ transceivers support multi-mode dual fiber, single-mode dual fiber, single-mode single-fiber, and Coarse Wave Division Multiplexing.

CWDM SFP vs. CWDM SFP+

As we utilize the SFP transceivers with CWDM/DWDM Multiplexers, the network capacity will increase because CWDM SFP transceivers transmit multiple data channels over separate wavelengths on the same fiber pair.

• CWDM SFP

The SFP CWDM transceivers provide fiber connectors to enable connectivity between CWDM passive devices and the existing network equipment. CWDM SFP transceivers support wavelengths of 1270 nm to 1610 nm in 20 nm increments, and they are compliant with the ITU G.694 CWDM standard.

• CWDM / DWDM SFP+

The SFP+ transceivers (10 gigabits enhanced small form-factor pluggable) are interchangeable compact fiber connectors. CWDM SFP+ transceivers provide the right tools for a single network device to connect to various types of fiber optic cables and distances. DWDM transceivers support wavelengths between 1525–1565 nm (C band) with 100GHz spacing.

CWDM SFP vs. CWDM SFP+ Compatibility

The CWDM SFP and SFP+ transceiver modules are compatible with almost all network switches/routers, media converters and PoE switches.

• CWDM / DWDM SFP/SFP+ Transceivers Compatibility

Omnitron SFP CWDM transceivers can be used with managed media converters, unmanaged media converters, PoE switches, industrial PoE switches, and Ethernet media converters products that support SFP transceivers. The CWDM/DWDM SFP+ transceivers support single-mode dual fiber applications with Coarse Wave Division Multiplexing (CWDM) and Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM) wavelengths. 

Conclusion 

All types of SFP and SFP+ transceivers allow you to connect multiple network switches to communicate and create ring protection protocols. If you are still unsure which of these SFP transceivers is practical for your network, contact us!  Omnitron Systems provides 24/7/365 pre-sales support and free technical support to assist with customers' network designs and product selection. We are available 24/7 to answer your questions. Call us now