QSFP-100G-SR4-S vs QSFP-100G-SR4, What is the Difference?
In the short-distance 100G interconnection solution of the data center, QSFP-100G-SR4-S and QSFP-100G-SR4 are two common optical modules. The names are similar but there are essential differences. The core differences are brand certification, compatibility, power consumption and warranty policy, which directly affect the deployment cost and equipment adaptability.
Compatibility and Certification: Original Manufacturer vs. Third Party
QSFP-100G-SR4-S
Cisco original certified model: designed for Cisco devices (such as Meraki MA-QSFP-100G-SR4), it must pass the official compatibility test to ensure plug-and-play in Cisco switches/routers.
EEPROM code lock: firmware information is bound to Cisco devices, and non-certified modules may trigger system alarms or function restrictions.
QSFP-100G-SR4
Universal third-party module: Complies with the MSA multi-source agreement, and the physical interface is compatible with QSFP28, but requires manual configuration or firmware flashing to adapt to different brands of equipment (such as Dell QSFP-100G-SR4-DE-C).
Flexibility and risk coexist: The price is lower, but compatibility may be invalid due to manufacturer firmware updates.
Power Consumption and Performance: Energy Efficiency and Stability
| Parameter | QSFP-100G-SR4-S | QSFP-100G-SR4 (third party) |
| Typical power consumption | ≤2.5W (Cisco design optimization) | ≤3.5W (general solution) |
| Temperature range | 0°C to 70°C (commercial grade) | Same as above, but differences in heat dissipation design may affect stability |
| DOM support | Complete diagnosis (voltage/temperature/optical power) | Simplified DOM function for some models |
Performance consistency: original modules have passed more stringent verification in indicators such as eye diagram test (Mask Margin >20%) and bit error rate (BER 1E-12)2.
Price and Cost: Short-Term Investment vs Long-Term Risk
Significant difference in procurement costs
Cisco QSFP-100G-SR4-S official list price is about $2,353.76, and the channel discount price is about $4288.
The third-party QSFP-100G-SR4 (such as OPSTRAN) is priced at only $59.9, which is less than 15% of the original manufacturer’s price.
Hidden cost considerations
Warranty service: The original manufacturer provides a 1-3 year replacement warranty, while the third party mostly provides a “lifetime warranty” but relies on the supplier for survival.
Operation and maintenance risks: Failure of third-party modules may cause the warranty of the entire machine to expire (such as Cisco/Dell equipment).
Selection Guide of Applicable Scenarios
Choose QSFP-100G-SR4-S:
Core Cisco equipment requires strict compatibility;
High-density deployment requires low power consumption (saving 1W per module, and saving more than $100,000 in electricity bills per year for 10,000 modules);
Enterprise-level data centers pursue zero-risk operation and maintenance.
Choose QSFP-100G-SR4:
Budget-sensitive and with technical debugging capabilities;
Multi-brand heterogeneous environment (compatibility needs to be verified);
Non-critical links such as short-distance jumpers (≤100m OM4)
Conclusion: The Art of Balancing Certification and Cost
QSFP-100G-SR4-S represents the original manufacturer’s guarantee and is suitable for key business scenarios; QSFP-100G-SR4 wins with price flexibility, but it needs to bear compatibility risks. When making decisions, you need to weigh the pros and cons: if the network scale is large and the equipment brand is unified, the long-term stability value of the original manufacturer’s module far exceeds the initial cost; conversely, third-party modules can significantly reduce TCO (total cost of ownership) in a controllable environment. In the future, with the development of open optical networks (Open Optics), standardized compatibility may gradually eliminate the differences between the two.