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If you’re upgrading leaf–spine fabrics, stitching campus buildings, or extending metro/edge links, a reliable Optical Transceiver Module at 100 Gbps is table stakes.
This guide breaks down NS-branded QSFP28 modules—SR4, LR4, and DR—with practical advice on reach, fiber types, connectors, power, DOM, interoperability, and lifecycle management. It’s written for engineers who need to deploy fast and for buyers who must justify each Compatible Transceiver Module across Cisco, Huawei, Juniper, NVIDIA and more.
QSFP28 is the workhorse 100 G form factor: compact, hot-pluggable, and designed for four electrical lanes. It’s defined by SFF-8665 (mechanical/electrical) and managed via SFF-8636 (DOM/DDM over I²C). Most 100 G Ethernet optics you’ll encounter in data centers and enterprise backbones use this housing. In short: if you want a 100 Gbps Module that “just works” across mainstream switches, QSFP28 is the default.
NS 100G Optical Transceiver Modules Overview
All modules share a few pillars:
- MSA compliance (QSFP28) for multi-vendor physical/management interoperability.
- DOM/DDM (SFF-8636) to read temperature, voltage, TX/RX power, bias current.
- Hot-swap readiness, low power relative to older 100G form factors, and standard connector types per application.
Core part numbers
- NS QSFP28-100G-SR4 — 850 nm MMF, MPO-12, up to 70 m (OM3) / 100 m (OM4). Ideal for short-reach leaf–spine and ToR aggregation.
- NS QSFP28-100G-LR4 — 1310 nm LAN-WDM on SMF, LC duplex, 10 km reach. Great for campus backbone and data center interconnect within metro rings.
- NS QSFP28-100G-DR — single-lambda PAM4 at 1310 nm, LC duplex, 500 m on SMF with FEC. Perfect for modern leaf–spine or 400G-to-4×100G breakouts.
Note: DR is single-wavelength 100G PAM4; LR4 is four-wavelength LAN-WDM; SR4 is four-lane parallel MMF. These architectural differences directly drive fiber type, connector choice, reach, and cost.
Quick Spec
| Model | Media | Wavelength(s) | Connector | Typical Reach | Key Standard |
| NS QSFP28-100G-SR4 | OM3/OM4 MMF | 4×850 nm | MPO-12 | 70 m (OM3) / 100 m (OM4) | IEEE 802.3bm 100GBASE-SR4 |
| NS QSFP28-100G-LR4 | G.652 SMF | 4×LAN-WDM (≈1295–1309 nm) | LC duplex | 10 km | IEEE 802.3ba 100GBASE-LR4 |
| NS QSFP28-100G-DR | G.652 SMF | single-lambda 1310 nm PAM4 | LC duplex | 500 m (with FEC) | IEEE 802.3cd 100GBASE-DR / 100G Lambda MSA |
DOM/DDM and Telemetry
Every NS Compatible Transceiver Module exposes live health data via DOM/DDM as defined in SFF-8636: temperature, voltage, TX power/RX power, bias current, alarms and warnings - queryable from your switch CLI or via SNMP.
If you’re building automation, DOM makes it straightforward to trip alerts on low power budget or rising case temps long before links flap.
Deep Dive: Picking SR4 vs. DR vs. LR4
NS QSFP28-100G-SR4 (short-reach MMF)
- When to use: leaf–spine inside a hall, high-density ToR/aggregation where distances are ≤70 m (OM3) or ≤100 m (OM4), or where you prefer MPO cabling already in place.
- Pros: lowest optics cost at 100G; plentiful in-stock; supports 100G↔4×25G breakout with harnesses; great for dense fabrics.
- Considerations: requires 8 active fibers (4 TX + 4 RX) on an MPO-12 trunk; distances cap out at 100 m on OM4; check polarity (Type-B is common).
NS QSFP28-100G-DR (single-lambda 500 m)
- When to use: modern leaf–spine where you want SMF simplicity, LC connectors, and an upgrade path to 400G DR4 → 4×100G DR breakouts; runs up to 500 m with FEC.
- Pros: Single-wavelength design reduces optical complexity compared with LR4; often lower cost than LR4; smooth interoperability with 400G platforms in breakout.
- Considerations: Requires FEC on the host; verify your switch’s default FEC mode for DR interop (a common source of “why won’t it link?”).
NS QSFP28-100G-LR4 (10 km)
- When to use: campus backbones, metro rings, DCI or large sites where you need up to 10 km on standard G.652 SMF (duplex LC).
- Pros: proven, broadly supported, and vendor-agnostic; no FEC required per the base IEEE spec (many platforms run it anyway).
- Considerations: Higher cost and power than DR/SR4 (expect ~4–4.5 W typical depending on vendor design); plan heat/airflow accordingly.
Fiber, Connectors, and Polarity
- SR4 needs MPO-12 (Type-B) trunks and cassettes; ensure endface cleanliness and correct polarity. Distances are 70 m (OM3) / 100 m (OM4)—budget for connector loss.
- DR/LR4 use duplex LC on SMF (G.652). DR requires host FEC; LR4 doesn’t in the base spec.
Compatibility & Interoperability
A truly Compatible Transceiver Module at 100 Gbps should integrate seamlessly into any supported switch or router—without vendor-specific hacks or downtime. NS QSFP28 modules achieve this by:
- Pre-programmed EEPROM profiles that emulate OEM vendor identifiers—eliminating “unsupported transceiver” warnings.
- Factory-burned, MSA-compliant ID fields for instant recognition in all major platforms.
- Extensive multi-vendor lab validation on Cisco Nexus/Catalyst, Huawei CloudEngine/NetEngine, Juniper QFX/EX, Arista 7000/7200, NVIDIA Spectrum, and NS platforms.
By standardizing on NS Fiber Optic transceiver modules, network teams can reduce spare part SKUs, avoid fragile register tweaks, and bypass expensive OEM licensing fees.
Whether you’re building out a leaf–spine in a hyperscale data center or adding uplinks at the enterprise edge, you can plug in an NS 100 Gbps Module and deploy with confidence.
NS 100G Modules vs. OEM Modules vs. Other 3rd-Party Modules
| Feature | NS Brand QSFP28 | OEM QSFP28 (e.g., Cisco, Huawei) | Other 3rd-Party QSFP28 |
| Multi-Vendor Compatible | Yes (Cisco, Huawei, Juniper, Arista, NVIDIA, NS, etc.) | No (vendor-locked) | Partial (often Cisco-only) |
| Data-Rate Support | 100 Gbps (and breakout modes where applicable) | 100 Gbps | 100 Gbps |
| Media Types | SR4, LR4, DR, FR, CWDM4, PSM4, ER4 | SR4, LR4, DR, FR, CWDM4, ER4 | SR4, LR4, CWDM4 (varies) |
| Warranty | 3 years | 1 year | 1 year (varies) |
| DDM/DOM Support | Full (SFF-8636) | Full | Limited |
| Typical Power Consumption | 2.5–4.5 W (model-dependent) | 2.5–5 W | 3–5 W |
| Price vs. OEM | Up to 30% lower | Premium | ~10% lower |
| Availability | Global stock | Regional stock | Spotty |
Bottom line: NS modules match or exceed OEM optical performance while delivering a longer warranty, wider compatibility, and significant cost savings—without sacrificing stability or interoperability.
Technical Support & After-Sales Service: NS vs. OEM vs. Other Resellers
Selecting the right Optical Transceiver Module isn’t just about reach and wavelength—it’s also about the support you get after deployment. Here’s how NS stacks up against OEM vendors and generic resellers when it comes to keeping your 100 Gbps Modules running smoothly.
| Service Aspect | NS Brand Modules | OEM Modules | Other Resellers |
| 24/7 Technical Hotline | Yes (phone, email) | Business hours only | Limited |
| Advanced RMA | Next-business-day | 5–7 days | 7–14 days |
| Firmware & EEPROM Updates | Regular via USB tool | Fixed, vendor-controlled | Rare |
| Compatibility Lab Testing | Ongoing multi-vendor | OEM only | Occasional |
| Configuration Assistance | Free, 24/7 | Paid support contract | Not provided |
| Bulk Pricing & Quoting | Dedicated account mgr | Channel pricing | MSRP |
By choosing NS modules through Network-Switch.com, you gain OEM-level reliability plus third-party agility—ensuring you get the best of both worlds: certified performance and flexible, responsive service.
FAQ (for real-world rollouts)
Q: Will NS 100 G QSFP28 work in Cisco/Huawei/Juniper/NVIDIA switches?
A: Yes. Compatible Transceiver Module coding plus QSFP28/IEEE compliance is how multi-vendor optics interop today. Public vendor docs and compatibility programs confirm distances, signaling, and management alignment.
Q: DR vs. LR4, how do I pick?
A: If your links are ≤500 m and you want LC on SMF with an easy 400G breakout path, choose DR (enable FEC). For longer runs up to 10 km, choose LR4.
Q: Can SR4 break out to 4×25G?
A: Yes. Use an MPO-to-4×LC harness with switch breakout support.
Q: What about 2 km campus runs?
A: Consider FR (single-lambda 2 km) or CWDM4 (four-λ 2 km). FR often aligns better with the 400G DR4 ecosystem; CWDM4 is widely proven.
Q: Do these modules support DOM?
A: Yes—QSFP28 DOM via SFF-8636 (I²C). You’ll see temperature, TX/RX power, bias current, and alarms in your CLI/SNMP.
Q: Any thermal or power gotchas?
A: SR4 runs coolest; DR/FR and LR4 draw more (often up to ~4–4.5 W). Ensure adequate airflow in dense deployments.
Conclusion
If you want a Fiber Optic transceiver module strategy that scales across vendors and generations, NS QSFP28 is the safe, flexible choice.
- SR4 covers short-reach MMF inside racks and rows.
- DR gives you clean LC-SMF at 500 m and a path to 400G breakouts.
- LR4 stretches to 10 km with battle-tested LAN-WDM optics.
You’ll keep your inventory lean, your cabling sane, and your upgrade paths open—while staying fully aligned with IEEE and MSA practices for a truly Compatible Transceiver Module strategy.
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