The insatiable demand for bandwidth, driven by cloud computing, 5G, and hyperscale data centers, has made 100G networking a standard rather than a luxury. At the heart of this high-speed revolution are optical transceivers—the critical components that convert electrical signals into light and vice versa. Among the various form factors developed for 100G, the CFP family stands out for its pioneering role.
This guide will break down the evolution of the CFP standard—from the original CFP to the more advanced CFP2 and CFP4—helping you make an informed decision for your network infrastructure.
🚀 What is a CFP Transceiver? The Genesis of 100G
CFP stands for C form-factor pluggable. The "C" originally represented the Latin letter Centi, signifying 100, as in 100 Gigabit. It was the first multi-source agreement (MSA) standard specifically designed for high-speed 100G applications.
The original CFP module was a workhorse, but its large size was a necessary compromise to house the complex optics and cooling required for early 100G technology. Think of it as the pioneering foundation upon which more efficient designs were built.
🚀 The Evolution: CFP2 and CFP4 - Doing More with Less
As technology advanced, the industry pushed for higher port density and lower power consumption. This led to the development of CFP2 and later, CFP4.
CFP2: This form factor halved the size and power consumption of the original CFP. Achieved through improved electro-optical design and integration, it allowed network operators to double their port density on a line card.
CFP4: Taking miniaturization a step further, the CFP4 reduced the size by another 50% compared to CFP2 (quarter the size of the original CFP). This maximized density and efficiency, making it a popular choice for modern data center deployments where real estate and power are precious commodities.
🚀 CFP vs. CFP2 vs. CFP4: A Quick Comparison
The following table summarizes the key differences between these three important form factors.
Feature | CFP (Gen 1) | CFP2 (Gen 2) | CFP4 (Gen 3) |
|---|---|---|---|
Dimensions (W x H x D) | ~ 144 x 82 x 13.6 mm | ~ 104 x 42 x 13.6 mm | ~ 92 x 21.5 x 13.6 mm |
Approx. Power Consumption | ~ 24W | ~ 12W | ~ 9W |
Primary Use Case | Early 100G deployments, Telecom | Denser 100G switches/routers | High-density data center applications |
Modern Relevance | Legacy, being phased out | Still in use, but declining | Current & Highly Relevant |
🚀 Why Choose LINK-PP for Your 100G CFP Needs?
While the industry is moving towards even smaller form factors like QSFP28, the CFP family, particularly CFP4, remains vital for many existing and new 100G deployments. Selecting a reliable manufacturer is key to ensuring network uptime and performance.
LINK-PP manufactures a range of high-quality, MSA-compliant optical transceivers designed for interoperability and durability. Our modules, like the CFP-100G-LR4, are rigorously tested to provide superior performance for long-reach applications, ensuring your data travels securely over distances up to 10km.
For more specific needs, such as high-density data center interconnect solutions, our CFP4-100G-LR4 offers an excellent blend of performance and efficiency for long reaches using single mode fiber.
🚀 Conclusion: Choosing the Right Form Factor
The journey from CFP to CFP4 is a story of remarkable technological progress. For new deployments, CFP4 is almost always the recommended choice within this family due to its superior density and efficiency. However, understanding the differences is crucial for compatibility with existing hardware.
Ready to upgrade your network with reliable 100G optics?
➡️ Contact our experts to help you find the perfect solution for your specific network requirements.
🚀 See Also
Different Form Factors for 100G Optical Transceiver: QSFP28, CFP, CFP2, CFP4 and CXP
A Complete Guide to Selecting 100G QSFP28 Optical Transceivers: SR4, LR4, CWDM4 & More
Why Choose LINK-PP 100G Transceivers for High-Speed Connectivity
