The growing use of virtualization in data centers has addressed the need for 10G Ethernet as a way to reduce the complexities when using the existing 1G Ethernet infrastructures. Moving to 10G Ethernet has a number of choice from 10GbE interfaces including CX4, 10G SFP+, SFP+ direct attach copper (10G SFP+ Cu) and 10GBASE-T. However, 10GBASE-T is perceived as a more cost-effective solution for broad deployments. The10GBASE-T SFP+ copper transceiver offers the potential to deliver power saving connectivity by utilizing Cat 6a/7 cable infrastructure with pay-as-you-grow flexibility.
10GBASE-T, also known as IEEE 802.3an, is the Ethernet standard released in 2006 to provide 10Gbps connections over unshielded or shielded twisted pair cables (Cat6/Cat7) over distances up to 100 meters (330 ft). 10GBASE-T is the fourth generation of IEEE standardized BASE-T technologies which all use RJ45 connectors and unshielded twisted pair cabling to provide 10Mbps, 100Mbps, 1Gbps and 10Gbps data transmission, while being backward-compatible with prior generations.
Last year, HPE and other vendors launched a 10GBASE-T SFP+ copper transceiver, giving the equipment designers and data center professionals a new option in deploying their network solutions. The 10GBASE-T SFP+ copper transceiver is specifically designed for high speed communication links that require 10 Gigabit Ethernet over Cat 6a/7 cable with a link limit of 30 m. It is the first SFP+ transceiver that offers 10Gb/s communication over RJ45 copper cables. And this latest generation of 10GBASE-T interfaces reduces the average watt per Gigabit to less than that of GbE connections. The power consumption of SFP+ 10GBASE-T copper module is 2.5 watts, which is far less than the SFP+ DAC cable (nearly 4-8 watts). These power savings can add-up in ToR, mid-row and end-of-row switch connectivity. So the 10GBASE-T transceiver is a power optimized solution for lengths up to 30m to optimize capital expense and reduce recurring operational expense.
10GBASE-T SFP+, SFP+ DAC, and SFP+ optical transceiver are the most commonly used types in the 10G network. When migrating data center from 1G to 10G, many people are confused how to make choice: 10GBASE-T or SFP+. SFP+ optics including SFP+ fiber optical transceivers and SFP+ direct attach copper (DAC) cables, dominates the 10Gbps connectivity solution in the core or spine due to the longer link lengths and higher aggregated data bandwidth. However, SFP+ 10GBASE-T module uses the Cat6a cables for a link length of 30 m over RJ45 connectors, which is proven to be unbeaten for its lower cost, ease of installation and reliable performance for 10Gbps edge network.
| Comparison | 10GBASE-T SFP+ | SFP+ Optical Transceiver | SFP+ DAC |
| Media | Cat6a/Cat7 | Fiber cable (SMF/MMF) | UTP Cable |
| Connector | RJ45 | LC | SFP+ |
| Distance | 30m | Max 100km | 15m |
| Cabling System | Copper system | Fiber system | No |
| Date Rate | 10 Gbps | 10 Gbps | 10 Gbps |
| Application | Top of Rack (ToR)Middle of Row (MoR)End of Row (EoR)Top of Rack (ToR) | Top of Rack (ToR)Middle of Row (MoR)End of Row (EoR)Core networkDA/HDA/MDAMD/ZD/EO | Top of Rack (ToR) |
- Top of Rack: Intra-cabinet connectivity from servers to ToR switches
- Middle of Row (MoR): Intra-cabinet connectivity from servers to MoR switches
- End of Row (EoR): Inter-cabinet connectivity from servers to EoR switches
- DA/HDA/MDA: Intermediate, Horizontal and Main distribution areas as outlined in TIA 942-A
- MD/ZD/EO: Main Distributor, zone distributor and Equipment Outlets as outlined in ISO 24764
- Core network: Backbone
Each option has its advantages, but 10GBase-T’s compatibility with existing structured cabling devices and existing low-speed devices makes it uniquely suited for widespread deployment from Gigabit Ethernet to 10G Ethernet. And the copper SFP+ bridges the gap in the market between 7m direct-attach cables (DACs) and short-haul 10GBASE-SR SFP+ optics. They are ideally suited for data center applications, where 10G copper spans exceeding 10m are becoming more prevalent. This is particularly evident in leaf-to-spine links. So when faced with choosing between SFP+ and 10GBASE-T, 10GBASE-T should be considered if cost, flexibility and scalability are critical. Today, 10GBase-T SFP+ transceiver is becoming more and more popular in network switches and servers because of its lower cost and higher ease of use.
- Cost-effective twisted pair copper cabling, the lowest cost 10GbE Ethernet deployment
- Auto-negotiable backward-compatibility with previous-generation BASE-T networks for a seamless migration to 10GbE
- Field twisted pair cabling with familiar RJ-45 connector
- Based on previous generations of basic knowledge and training of existing expertise
- Cable (Cat6a/Cat7) length of up to 100 meters, enough to support almost all data center topology
- Extend support for aggregated environments
Broad deployment on 10GBASE-T will simplify data center infrastructures, making it easier to manage server and storage connectivity while delivering the bandwidth needed for heavily virtualized servers and I/O-intensive applications. Third generation advancements in 10GBASE-T PHYs have significantly lowered the cost per port and the power consumption for 10GbE. These factors and key 10GBASE-T features, including backwards-compatibility with GbE infrastructures and distance flexibility, will help drive 10GBASE-T to a prominent place in the data center.
Compared with fiber and SFP+ DAC, using 10GBASE-T SFP+ is an effective 10G connectivity solution that reduces capital and operational costs while improving reliability and performance. If you need longer transmission distances more than 100meter, then fiber SFP+ transceiver is the most appropriate. Regardless of the solution you use, it is important to remember that high-quality cabling from reputable vendors will help ensure performance and reliability.