Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) is a hot-swappable interface used primarily in network and storage switches
. SFP modules are designed to be compact, versatile, and provide communication between switches and important network components
. They are commonly used in various applications, such as high-definition audio transmission and reception, passive optical networks (PON), and multiplexing and simplex networking
. There are several types of SFP modules, including:
- SFP : Also known as mini-GBIC (gigabit interface converter), these modules support data rates of up to 1 Gb
- SFP+ : This faster version of the same form factor supports data rates up to 10 Gbps
- BiDi SFP : These modules support bidirectional communication over a single fiber
- Quad SFP (QSFP) : These modules support four fibers carrying Ethernet, Fiber Channel, or other protocols
- QSFP28 : This format supports 25 Gbps over both multimode and single-mode fiber
SFP modules are designed to work with various modern networks, such as copper connections with 1000BASE-T and 1000BASE-TX modules for gigabit Ethernet networking
. They are often used in server and enterprise switches, as well as in plug-in cards for servers and enterprise switches
