https://network-switch.com/pages/about-us
As data-center fabrics and enterprise backbones evolve to support ever-higher bandwidth, the right Optical Transceiver Module is critical.
NS’s 25 Gbps SFP28 Module family, comprising the SFP28-25G-SR, SFP28-25G-LR, and SFP28-25G-BX, delivers multi-vendor compatibility, low power consumption, and digital diagnostics monitoring (DDM) in a compact sfp28 module form factor.
Fully compliant with SFP28 MSA (SFF-8402) and IEEE 802.3by standards, these fiber optic transceiver modules serve as true compatible transceiver modules across Cisco, Huawei, Juniper, Arista, and NS equipment.
Product Overview
NS’s generic SFP28 portfolio supports 1.25 Gbps through 25.78 Gbps rates, ensuring backward compatibility with 10 Gbps SFP+ ports while exploiting full 25 Gbps in SFP28 slots. Highlights include:
- MSA Compliance (SFF-8402) for plug-and-play across OEM and third-party switches/routers
- Low Power (<1 W) to reduce cooling loads compared to 25GBase-T optics
- Hot-Plug Ready: 20-pin SFP28 interface for live swaps
- DDM/DOM per SFF-8472 for real-time optical and electrical monitoring
By standardizing on these generic modules, network teams can consolidate inventory SKUs and eliminate vendor-lock.
Hardware Specifications
| Model | Media Type | Wavelength | Max Reach | Connector | Data Rate |
| SFP28-25G-SR | Multi-Mode Fiber | 850 nm | 70 m @ OM3; 100 m @ OM4 | LC Duplex | 1.25–25.78 Gbps |
| SFP28-25G-LR | Single-Mode Fiber | 1,310 nm | 10 km @ G.652 SMF | LC Duplex | 1.25–25.78 Gbps |
| SFP28-25G-BX | Single-Mode Fiber (BiDi) | 1,270/1,330 nm | 10 km (single strand WDM) | LC Duplex | 25.78 Gbps |
- SFP28-25G-SR: Optimized for intra-rack or adjacent-rack links in data centers.
- SFP28-25G-LR: Ideal for campus backbones and inter-building spans up to 10 km.
- SFP28-25G-BX: Bi-directional WDM transceiver using one fiber strand for both directions—perfect for fiber-constrained runs.
All modules operate from 0 °C to 70 °C (industrial grades to –40 °C) with typical power consumption under 1 W, and support Digital Diagnostics Monitoring (DDM) via I²C.
Compatibility & Interoperability
A hallmark of a true compatible transceiver module is zero-touch interoperability across leading vendors. NS SFP28 modules are factory-burned with MSA-compliant EEPROM profiles and vendor OUI emulation, ensuring they appear as “supported” in:
- Cisco Nexus & Catalyst Series
- Huawei CloudEngine & NetEngine Platforms
- Juniper EX/QFX & MX Series
- Arista 7000/7200 Switches
- NS Brand Switches & Routers
Extensive lab testing confirms that NS modules work seamlessly in both fiber optic transceiver module slots and hybrid SFP+ ports without CLI overrides or register hacks.
NS Modules vs. OEM Modules vs. Other 3rd-Party Modules
| Feature | NS SFP28 Modules | OEM SFP28 (e.g., Cisco) | Other 3rd-Party SFP28 |
| Multi-Vendor Compatibility | Yes: Cisco, Huawei, Juniper, Arista, NS | No: typically locked to vendor | Partial: often Cisco-only |
| Data-Rate Support | 1.25–25.78 Gbps | 1.25–25.78 Gbps | 1.25–25.78 Gbps |
| Media Types (SR/LR/BX) | All three variants | All three variants | Limited (often SR/LR only) |
| Warranty | 3 years | 1 year | 1 year |
| Power Consumption | < 1 W | < 1.3 W | ~ 1 W |
| Price vs. OEM | – 30% | Premium | – 10% |
NS 25Gbps SFP28 modules match or exceed OEM feature sets—while offering broader compatibility and significant cost savings.
Deployment Scenarios & Use Cases
- Data-Center Spine/LeafSR modules link leaf switches to aggregation over OM3/OM4 MMF. BX modules provide quick copper-to-fiber fallbacks without extra strands.
- SR modules link leaf switches to aggregation over OM3/OM4 MMF.
- BX modules provide quick copper-to-fiber fallbacks without extra strands.
- Campus BackboneLR optics span academic or corporate buildings up to 10 km apart. Mix with QSFP28 uplinks for gradual rollouts in mixed-speed fabrics.
- LR optics span academic or corporate buildings up to 10 km apart.
- Mix with QSFP28 uplinks for gradual rollouts in mixed-speed fabrics.
- Single-Fiber Metro RingsBX BiDi modules halve fiber requirements for ring topologies. Support rapid failover in ring protection switching.
- BX BiDi modules halve fiber requirements for ring topologies.
- Support rapid failover in ring protection switching.
- Branch Office & EdgeSR or LR modules integrated into NS or third-party SFP28 uplinks. Backhaul 25 Gbps WAN links for high-performance cloud connectivity.
- SR or LR modules integrated into NS or third-party SFP28 uplinks.
- Backhaul 25 Gbps WAN links for high-performance cloud connectivity.
By deploying one NS SKU for SR, LR, and BX, organizations streamline spares stocking and simplify fault replacement.
Product Management
Installation & Diagnostics
Despite being generic modules, NS’s SFP28 line supports full SFF-8472 DDM functions:
- Optical & Electrical Metrics: Real-time temperature, voltage, bias current, transmit/receive power.
- Hot-Plug: Insert or remove modules without interrupting adjacent ports.
- Link Activity: NS switch LEDs and CLI commands reflect link speed and status automatically.
Sample Cisco IOS Verification
Switch#
show interfaces transceiver details tenGigabitEthernet1/1/1
Type: SFP28-25G-SR
Wavelength: 850 nm
Nominal bitrate: 25781 Mbit/s
Temperature: 39.2 C
Voltage: 3.31 V
Tx Power: -1.8 dBm
Rx Power: -8.2 dBm
Across Huawei (display transceiver interface), Juniper (show interfaces diagnostics optics), and Arista (show interfaces sfp detail), diagnostics yield identical metrics.
Technical Support & After-Sales Service
| Support Aspect | Network-Switch.com | OEM Vendors | Other Resellers |
| 24/7 Technical Hotline | Yes (phone & email) | Business hours only | Limited |
| RMA Turnaround | Next-business-day advance | 5–7 days | 7–14 days |
| EEPROM/EEPROM Updates | Regular via USB tool | Fixed, vendor-controlled | Rare |
| Compatibility Lab Testing | Ongoing multi-vendor | OEM only | Occasional |
| Bulk Pricing & Quoting | Dedicated account managers | Channel pricing | MSRP |
Partnering with Network-Switch.com delivers OEM-grade support plus the flexibility of a generic module supplier.
FAQs
-
Can NS 25 Gbps SFP28 Modules auto-negotiate to 10 Gbps?
Yes—MSA-compliant sfp28 modules support dual-rate operation down to 10 Gbps. -
Are BiDi (BX) modules truly single-fiber?
Yes—the SFP28-25G-BX uses WDM, TX on 1,270 nm and RX on 1,330 nm over one SMF strand. -
What is required for DDM?
Any host port with SFF-8472 support—no special firmware or commands needed. -
Do these modules require FEC?
Per IEEE 802.3by, RS-FEC is mandatory for 25 GbE; most modern switches enable it automatically. -
Is there an industrial-grade temperature option?
Yes—–40 °C to +85 °C variants are available on request for harsh environments. -
What if a compatibility issue arises?
NS offers a 30-day money-back guarantee plus next-business-day RMA replacements.
Conclusion
NS’s SFP28-25G-SR, SFP28-25G-LR, and SFP28-25G-BX modules redefine plug-and-play 25 Gbps connectivity. With broad OEM interoperability, low power draw, and digital diagnostics, these fiber optic transceiver modules simplify your network build and slash costs.
Did this article help you or not? Tell us on Facebook and LinkedIn . We’d love to hear from you!
