1.5 Network Transceivers

Question 1

What is a transceiver in networking?

Answer 1

A transceiver combines a transmitter and a receiver into one component, enabling network devices to send and receive data over various media.

Transcript: “Transceiver is a combination of two words—‘transmitter’ and ‘receiver.’” (0:01–0:06)

Question 2

How do transceivers provide modularity in switches?

Answer 2

You can insert transceivers based on media type (e.g., copper or fiber), allowing each port to be customized for the required connection.

You can have a switch with a number of open interfaces. You slide in the transceiver that is appropriate for the media or network type you would like to use and that interface will operate with that configuration

Transcript: “You slide in the transceiver… and now that particular interface will operate…” (0:19–0:26)

Question 3

Why is media compatibility important when choosing transceivers?

Answer 3

Ethernet switches require Ethernet transceivers; Fibre Channel switches require Fibre Channel transceivers—these types are not interchangeable.

Transcript: “You can’t use Fibre Channel transceivers in an Ethernet switch…” (1:05–1:10)

Question 4

What is an SFP transceiver and what is it used for?

Answer 4

SFP (Small Form-factor Pluggable) transceivers support Gigabit Ethernet and can be used for either copper or fiber connections.

• 1 Gbit/s RJ45 SFPs also available

Transcript: “SFP’s are commonly associated with Gigabit Ethernet… plug in a fiber or copper SFP.” (1:45–2:04)

Question 5

What is SFP+ and how does it differ from SFP?

Answer 5

SFP+ is an enhanced version of SFP that supports higher speeds—up to 16 Gbps, commonly used for 10 Gbps links.

Transcript: “SFP+… support much higher speeds, up to 16 gigabits per second.” (2:14–2:21)

Question 6

What is the purpose of QSFP transceivers?

Answer 6

QSFP (Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable) allows for 4-channel data transmission in a compact form, increasing bandwidth in limited rack space.

• 4-channel SFP = Four 1 Gbit/s = 4 Gbit/s

Transcript: “QSFP… allows you to have four times the amount of throughput… in a space that’s very similar…” (2:47–3:00)

Question 7

What is the total throughput of a QSFP+ transceiver?

Answer 7

A QSFP+ supports four 10 Gbps channels for a total of 40 Gbps throughput.

QSFP+ is four-channel SFP+ = Four 10 Gbit/s = 40 Gbit/s

Transcript: “A Quad SFP+… can support four of those, for a total throughput of 40 gigabits per second.” (3:30–3:36)

Question 8

How do QSFP and SFP transceivers compare in size?

Answer 8

QSFP modules are slightly larger than SFPs, but they are not four times larger, offering an efficient use of space.

Transcript: “It’s not four times the size of an SFP… getting an efficiency in space…” (4:31–4:38)