Some time ago, we wrote a blog article about Cisco CPAK transceivers, about how special it is, and that there is no alternative in the 3rd party market for it. Since then, things have changed, and there is ONE now!

In short, we can use a Cisco-coded CFP2 converter (CFP2-QSFP28-CONV)

100G QSFP28 module in it, 100G-QSFP28-10 (Cisco PN: QSFP-100G-LR4-S)
And WUALA, we have a solution!

Please kindly check the details below about how our engineers managed to make a 10km connection between Cisco Nexus 93108TC-EX (N9K-C93108TC-EX), which supports QSFP28 ports, and Cisco ASR 9000 (with A9K-MPA-2X100GE line card), which only supports CPAK or CFP2 for ER4 connections.

Here is the scenario:

At first, when we are talking about connecting network routers, first things first, is to check datasheets, which are provided by the router manufacturer, for complying (supported) transceivers.

Cisco Nexus 93108TC-EX:

By checking the Nexus router compatible 100G transceivers, we discover that there is a transceiver that complies with our initial requirements. Specifically, QSFP28 form factor QSFP-100G-LR4-S for a 10km connection. EDGE Technologies' portfolio contains QSFP28 form factor transceivers (100G-QSFP28-10 for 10km connection). This transceiver is capable of reaching 10km cable distance by utilizing 1310nm wavelength.

Cisco ASR 9000:

Specifically A9K-MPA-2X100GE board as mainstream supports Cisco proprietary CPAK form factor, but as well, it has supports CFP2-100G-ER4 (40km scenario).

In our case, we have done tests using EDGE Optical Solutions 100G-QSFP28-10 for a 10km connection (Cisco PN: QSFP-100G-LR4-S) together with CFP2-QSFP28 (PN: CFP2-QSFP28-CONV) converter adapter.

When such a connection between Cisco Nexus 93108TC-EX (N9K-C93108TC-EX) and Cisco ASR 9000 (with A9K-MPA-2X100GE line card) has been made, everything worked perfectly! We can see the testing results below, where the 10km link is working and transceivers at both sides are recognized as valid:

Cisco ASR 9000 (A9K-MPA-2X100GE line card) side:

show controllers Hu0/5/0/0 all Tue Dec 5 14:46:28.381 EET Operational data for interface HundredGigE0/5/0/0: State: Administrative state: enabled Operational state: Up LED state: Green On Phy: Media type: R fiber over 4 Lane optics (long reach) Optics: Vendor: EDGE Part number: 100G-QSFP28-10 Serial number: 1711100002 Wavelength: 0 nm Digital Optical Monitoring: Transceiver Temp: 29.000 C Transceiver Voltage: 3.264 V Alarms key: (H) Alarm high, (h) Warning high (L) Alarm low, (l) Warning low Wavelength Tx Power Rx Power Laser Bias Lane (nm) (dBm) (mW) (dBm) (mW) (mA) -- ----- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ 00 n/a 1.6 1.4464 0.3 1.0728 34.318 00 n/a 1.0 1.2537 0.4 1.1041 33.020 00 n/a 1.9 1.5329 -0.9 0.8123 31.564 00 n/a 1.8 1.4997 -0.1 0.9685 30.956

Cisco Nexus 93108TC-EX (N9K-C93108TC-EX) side:

Ethernet1/49 transceiver is present type is QSFP-100G-LR4 name is EDGE part number is 100G-QSFP28-10 revision is 01 serial number is 1711100002 nominal bitrate is 25500 MBit/sec per channel Link length supported for 9/125um fiber is 10 km cisco id is 17 cisco extended id number is 204
If any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to help and assist you with your requests!

Cisco CPAK 100GBASE alternative = CFP2 converter + 100G QSFP28 module

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