Aruba JL743A Compatible 100GBASE-ER4 Lite QSFP28 40km LC Module

EdgeOptic's JL743A compatible is an Aruba coded 100GBASE-ER4 Lite QSFP28 transceiver built on the 100G-QSFP28-40 hardware platform. The module ships pre-programmed with the Aruba EEPROM values for the JL743A ordering code, so the optic identifies on AOS-CX as the OEM transceiver. JL743A is HPE Aruba's part number for a 40km QSFP28 ER4 Lite module on the CX-platform JL-prefix ordering scheme; the JL310A LR4 covers the 10km reach class on the same form factor and is a different optical budget.

Optically the module conforms to the 100GBASE-ER4 Lite specification. Four LAN-WDM channels at 1295.56, 1300.05, 1304.58 and 1309.14 nm each carry 25.78125 Gbps NRZ, multiplexed onto one duplex LC single-mode fiber pair. The transmitter is an EML array; the receiver is an APD array, providing the additional sensitivity that distinguishes ER4 Lite from a standard LR4 PIN-receiver build. ER4 Lite is not an IEEE 802.3ba or 802.3bm subclause and is not a 100G Lambda MSA grade; it is a generic 100GBASE-ER4 Lite specification used across vendor catalogs.

Reach is 40km on G.652 SMF with host RS-FEC enabled and 30km on the same fiber without FEC. Optical budget is 22 dB with FEC, 18 dB without. Host-side FEC is the gating requirement for the 40km reach; the optic itself is transparent to FEC and contains no internal FEC engine. Engineers planning campus core or metro backbone links between 30 and 40km should confirm the host port has RS-FEC available on the 100GE MAC and verify both ends match during commissioning. Without FEC the link will close at distances up to 30km on plant operating near typical 0.35 dB/km attenuation.

The JL743A is supported on Aruba CX 8325, 8360 and 9300 series platforms with QSFP28 ports, and on the CX 8400X chassis with the applicable advanced QSFP28 line module on a current AOS-CX release. Several CX platforms restrict ER4 Lite optics to specific port positions because of the 4.5 W per-module power profile; verify per-port and per-model support and the minimum AOS-CX release in the Aruba Transceiver Guide before deployment, as supported optic lists vary by hardware family and firmware revision. AOS-CX validates transceiver vendor identifiers on insertion; with the Aruba coded EEPROM the module reports as recognized in standard AOS-CX transceiver inventory output.

QSFP28 MSA SFF-8665 and SFF-8636 management compliance covers the electrical and software interfaces. DDM/DOM telemetry exposes per-lane TX and RX optical power, module temperature, supply voltage and laser bias current to the host for AOS-CX CLI inspection, REST API collection and SNMP polling. The duplex LC connector accepts standard SMF patch cords. Power draw is bounded at 4.5 W maximum; the commercial 0 to +70 degC case-temperature range covers central-office and metro POP environments. Connector hygiene matters at ER4 Lite reach budgets; inspect and clean both end-faces before turn-up to avoid attenuation that erodes the FEC margin.

Backed by 15+ years of EdgeOptic compatibility engineering across vendor optical platforms. Ships next business day from EU stock with a lifetime warranty. For BOM verification or volume pricing, contact our sales team.