Tom Tang
10GBASE-T has been available in switches and servers as an add-in card since 2008, two years after the new IEEE standard is released. Maturing 10GBASE-T products adopted by a wide ecosystem of adapter/switches vendors in 2012 with the new innovation of the 40nm 10GBASE-T PHY. So far, 10GBASE-T RJ-45-based 10Gbps connectivity has become the most flexible, economical, backward-compatible, and user-friendly 10G Ethernet connectivity option available.
Most of 10GbE switches are with SFP+ ports, when to connect server or switch with 10GBASE-T Rj45 port, the 10GBASE-T SFP+ module will enable 10G SFP+ switches and routers to connect to 10GBASE-T RJ-45 endpoints using Cat 6a cables.
10GBASE-T SFP+ module is a smaller form factor RJ-45 to 10G SFP+ transceiver. It is mainly used over Cat 6a or Cat 7 copper cabling system for 10G transmission with a maximum distance up to 100 m. It conforms to the SFF-8431 and SFF-8432 MSA standards.
Benefits of 10GBASE-T SFP+ Module Enables connectivity to end points where 10GBASE-T RJ45 connectivity has become more popular—these include rack servers, storage servers, and compute appliances.
-
Based on the existing expertise of the previous generation of BASE-T knowledge and training.
-
Connectivity over Cat 6a cables
-
Supports Top of Rack, Middle of Row or End of Row architectures
Frequently Asked Questions About 10GBASE-T SFP+ Module
Q: What cables are supported with 10GBASE-T SFP+ modules?
A: The module is compatible with 10GBASE-T, 1000BASE-T, and 100BASE-T. The Supported cables as below:
| Speed | Cable Type | Max. Cable Distance |
|---|---|---|
| 10GBASE-T | Cat 6a | 30m-50m |
| Cat6a shielded/Cat 7 | 80m-100 m | |
| 1000BASE-T / 100BASE-T | Cat 6/Cat 6a /Cat5e | 100m |
Q: Can the 10GBASE-T be used at low temperatures?
A: The 10GBASE-T is available in commercial and industrial versions. Standard products are suitable for operating temperature range of 0~70 °C. For a wider temperature range, it is recommended to purchase industrial modules (-40 to 85°C) .
Q: What are their differences of 10GBASE-T SFP+ vs SFP+ DAC vs Fiber SFP+?
A:10GBASE-T SFP+, SFP+ DAC, and SFP+ Transceiver are the most commonly used types in the 10G network. The main differences between these products are: 10GBASE-T vs SFP+ vs DAC: Which to Choose for 10GbE Data Center Cabling?
| Comparsion | SFP+ DAC | 10GBASE-T SFP+ | SFP+ Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|
| Media | Integrated copper/fiber | Category 6a or 7 | Fiber Cable (SM/MM) |
| Connector | SFP+ | RJ45 | LC |
| Distance | 15m | 30m-100m | Max 100km |
| Cabling System | No | Copper cabling | Fiber cabling |
| Data rate | 10 Gbps | 10 Gbps | 10 Gbps |
| Power Consumption | 1~1.5w | 2~5w | ~0.7w |
Q: Is the heat generated when the 10GBASE-T is working?
A: The calorific value is very high. The designed power consumption of the 10GBASE-T is 2.5w. Its heat generation is very high, and the high temperature can be obviously felt during use. The switches with multiple SFP+ interfaces cannot be fully equipped with 10GBASE-T. As for the maximum number of 10GBASE-T that can be equipped with, it depends on the switch availability.
Q: Where can 10GBASE-T be used?
A: If using 10GBASE-T, the places are required to be in the Data Center or horizontal areas (in building, including wiring closet). But it is not suited for vertical (riser links) applications within building, or campus & metro applications.
When the two switches both have SFP+ and 10GBASE-T ports, it is recommended to use the 10GBASE-T copper ports first, and save the SFP+ ports for possible future connections to an optical network for longer transmission distance.