UCSC-P-M4D25GF Cisco Sfp-10/25g-csr-s Compatible Transceiver Module.

High-Speed Optical Connectivity for Enterprise and Data Center Networks

The Cisco UCSC-P-M4D25GF compatible optical transceiver is engineered to support reliable 10G and 25G Ethernet transmission over multimode fiber. Designed for short-range connectivity, this SFP28 module ensures consistent performance in high-density networking environments.

Product Overview and Classification

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• SKU / Part Number: UCSC-P-M4D25GF
• Product Type: Transceiver Module
• Sub-Type: 25 Gigabit Ethernet
• Optical Standard: 10/25GBASE-CSR
• Operating Wavelength: 850nm

Optical and Transmission Characteristics

Signal and Wavelength Specifications

• Operating wavelength of 850nm for multimode fiber links
• Supports 10GBASE-CSR and 25GBASE-CSR standards
• Short-reach transmission suitable for intra-rack and inter-rack connections

Distance and Fiber Compatibility

• Maximum transmission range up to 400 meters
• Designed for multimode fiber (MMF) cabling
• Duplex LC connector for efficient bidirectional data flow

Performance and Monitoring Features

Digital Optical Monitoring (DOM)

• Integrated DOM support for real-time diagnostics
• Monitors optical power, temperature, and voltage levels
• Enhances network stability and proactive maintenance

Compatibility and Deployment Advantages

Seamless Integration

• Fully compatible with Cisco UCS and supported switch models
• Hot-swappable SFP28 form factor for simplified installation
• Auto-negotiation for 10GbE and 25GbE environments

Cost-Effective Network Expansion

• Ideal for upgrading existing infrastructure to higher bandwidth
• Reliable alternative to OEM-branded transceivers
• Supports scalable network growth without performance compromise

Use Case Scenarios

• High-speed server-to-switch connections
• Data center aggregation and access layers
• Enterprise networks requiring low-latency optical links

Enterprise-Class 10/25G Optical Transceiver Category Overview

The Cisco UCSC-P-M4D25GF Sfp-10/25g-csr-s compatible optical transceiver module belongs to the high-performance category of 10/25GBASE-CSR SFP28 and SFP+ multimode fiber transceivers designed for modern data center, enterprise, and service provider networking environments. This category focuses on short-reach optical connectivity that balances bandwidth scalability, power efficiency, and cost effectiveness while maintaining strict compliance with industry standards. Modules within this category are optimized for high-density switching, converged infrastructure, and unified computing systems where consistent throughput, low latency, and interoperability are essential.

As data center architectures evolve toward higher port densities and faster uplinks, the 10/25GBASE-CSR optical transceiver category provides a flexible migration path from legacy 10GbE environments to advanced 25GbE infrastructures. These transceivers support both 10G and 25G data rates over multimode fiber, enabling organizations to reuse existing cabling investments while incrementally upgrading switching and server interfaces. The Cisco-compatible UCSC-P-M4D25GF transceiver is purpose-built to align with Cisco UCS, Nexus, and compatible switching platforms, making this category a critical component of scalable network design.

Technology Foundation of 10/25GBASE-CSR Optical Modules

The technological foundation of the 10/25GBASE-CSR SFP28 transceiver category is based on advanced vertical cavity surface emitting laser technology operating at an 850nm wavelength. This design allows efficient optical transmission over multimode fiber with minimal signal degradation across short to medium distances. The category supports duplex LC connectors, which have become the industry standard for compact, high-density fiber terminations in enterprise and data center environments.

Modules in this category are engineered to deliver reliable optical performance up to 400 meters over OM4 multimode fiber and up to 300 meters over OM3 fiber. This reach profile makes the category ideal for intra-data center connections, including top-of-rack to aggregation switches, server-to-switch links, and inter-rack connectivity. The Cisco UCSC-P-M4D25GF compatible transceiver exemplifies this reach and performance balance, ensuring stable signal integrity even in densely populated cable trays.

Dual-Rate 10G and 25G Capability

A defining characteristic of the 10/25GBASE-CSR transceiver category is dual-rate operation, allowing seamless support for both 10 Gigabit Ethernet and 25 Gigabit Ethernet links. This capability is particularly valuable for organizations managing phased network upgrades or hybrid infrastructures. The same optical module can adapt to different switch ports or server network interface cards that operate at either data rate, reducing inventory complexity and simplifying network planning.

Dual-rate support also enhances investment protection by enabling gradual migration strategies. Enterprises can deploy 25G-capable optics today while operating at 10G speeds, then transition to full 25G throughput when the rest of the network infrastructure is ready. This flexibility is central to the value proposition of the Cisco UCSC-P-M4D25GF compatible optical transceiver category.

Standards Compliance and Interoperability

Compliance with IEEE and Multi-Source Agreement standards underpins the reliability and interoperability of this optical transceiver category. The 10/25GBASE-CSR specification ensures consistent optical characteristics, electrical interfaces, and management functions across compliant devices. This adherence allows the Cisco-compatible UCSC-P-M4D25GF transceiver to integrate seamlessly into heterogeneous network environments where multiple vendors may coexist.

Interoperability is further enhanced by strict digital optical monitoring support, enabling real-time visibility into operational parameters such as temperature, voltage, transmit power, and receive power. These monitoring features are integral to proactive network management and fault isolation, particularly in large-scale data center deployments where uptime and predictability are critical.

Physical Design and Optical Characteristics

The physical design of the 10/25GBASE-CSR SFP28 transceiver category emphasizes compactness, thermal efficiency, and durability. The standardized SFP28 form factor allows high port density on modern switches and network interface cards, maximizing bandwidth per rack unit. This compact footprint is essential for hyperscale and enterprise data centers that prioritize space optimization without compromising performance.

Optically, the category leverages 850nm multimode transmission, which offers a favorable balance between cost and performance for short-reach connectivity. Multimode fiber cabling is widely deployed in existing data centers, and the compatibility of this category with OM3 and OM4 fiber types ensures broad applicability. The Cisco UCSC-P-M4D25GF compatible transceiver is specifically tuned to deliver stable optical output within defined power budgets, minimizing bit error rates and ensuring consistent link quality.

Duplex LC Connector Architecture

The duplex LC connector architecture is a defining physical characteristic of this category. LC connectors are compact, easy to handle, and designed for high-density patch panels and transceiver ports. The duplex configuration supports separate transmit and receive optical paths, ensuring reliable bidirectional communication over multimode fiber.

This connector standard simplifies fiber management and reduces the risk of installation errors. In environments with hundreds or thousands of optical links, the consistency provided by duplex LC connectors contributes to operational efficiency and reduced maintenance overhead.

Power Efficiency and Thermal Management

Power efficiency is a critical consideration in modern data centers, and the 10/25GBASE-CSR transceiver category is engineered to minimize energy consumption while maintaining high performance. Low power draw reduces overall system heat output, which in turn lowers cooling requirements and operational costs.

Thermal management features within the SFP28 form factor ensure stable operation across a wide range of ambient temperatures. The Cisco UCSC-P-M4D25GF compatible transceiver is designed to operate reliably in dense switch configurations where airflow and thermal constraints are tightly managed.

Use Cases Across Data Center and Enterprise Networks

The 10/25GBASE-CSR optical transceiver category serves a broad range of use cases across data center, enterprise campus, and high-performance computing environments. Its short-reach multimode design makes it particularly well suited for internal connectivity where high bandwidth and low latency are required over relatively short distances.

In unified computing environments, such as those built around Cisco UCS platforms, this category plays a central role in connecting blade servers, rack servers, and fabric interconnects. The Cisco UCSC-P-M4D25GF compatible transceiver ensures consistent performance across compute, storage, and networking domains, supporting converged workloads and virtualization platforms.

Top-of-Rack and Leaf-Spine Architectures

Modern data center designs frequently employ top-of-rack and leaf-spine architectures to deliver predictable latency and scalable bandwidth. The 10/25GBASE-CSR transceiver category is ideally suited for these designs, providing reliable optical links between servers and top-of-rack switches, as well as between leaf and spine layers.

The ability to support 25G speeds over multimode fiber allows network architects to increase per-link capacity without significantly increasing cabling complexity. This scalability is a key driver for adoption of the Cisco UCSC-P-M4D25GF compatible transceiver in next-generation data centers.

Enterprise Core and Aggregation Layers

Beyond the data center, the category is also relevant to enterprise core and aggregation layers where short-reach optical links are required between switches located in the same facility or campus building. The cost efficiency of multimode fiber optics, combined with the performance of 10/25GBASE-CSR transceivers, makes this category an attractive alternative to longer-reach single-mode solutions when distances permit.

Enterprises benefit from simplified network design, reduced optical component costs, and consistent performance across their internal infrastructure. The Cisco-compatible nature of the UCSC-P-M4D25GF transceiver ensures seamless integration with existing Cisco switching investments.

Compatibility with Cisco Networking Ecosystems

A significant aspect of this optical transceiver category is its alignment with Cisco networking ecosystems. Cisco platforms are widely deployed across enterprise and data center environments, and compatibility with Cisco hardware is often a key procurement criterion. The Cisco UCSC-P-M4D25GF Sfp-10/25g-csr-s compatible transceiver is designed to meet Cisco’s electrical, optical, and firmware expectations, ensuring proper recognition and operation within supported devices.

This compatibility extends across Cisco UCS servers, fabric interconnects, and Nexus switches that support SFP28 and SFP+ ports. By adhering to Cisco-compatible coding and behavior, this category reduces the risk of link negotiation issues, warning messages, or unsupported module alerts that can disrupt operations.

Integration with Cisco UCS Unified Computing Systems

Cisco UCS environments rely on high-performance, low-latency connectivity to deliver unified management of compute, network, and storage resources. The 10/25GBASE-CSR transceiver category supports this requirement by providing consistent optical links between servers and fabric interconnects.

The UCSC-P-M4D25GF compatible module is particularly well suited for UCS deployments that require flexible bandwidth allocation and future-proof connectivity. Its dual-rate capability aligns with evolving UCS designs that transition from 10G to 25G fabric connectivity.

Support for Cisco Nexus Switching Platforms

Cisco Nexus switches form the backbone of many data center networks, and the compatibility of this transceiver category with Nexus platforms enhances its value proposition. Whether deployed in access, aggregation, or core roles, Nexus switches benefit from the reliable short-reach optical performance provided by 10/25GBASE-CSR modules.

The category’s adherence to Cisco-compatible specifications ensures that network administrators can deploy these transceivers with confidence, knowing that they will integrate smoothly into existing operational and monitoring frameworks.

Operational Reliability and Network Performance

Operational reliability is a cornerstone of the 10/25GBASE-CSR optical transceiver category. These modules are designed to operate continuously in mission-critical environments where downtime can have significant financial and operational consequences. High-quality optical components, rigorous testing, and standards compliance contribute to long-term stability and predictable performance.

Network performance benefits from low latency optical transmission and consistent signal quality. The Cisco UCSC-P-M4D25GF compatible transceiver supports high-speed data flows with minimal packet loss, making it suitable for latency-sensitive applications such as real-time analytics, virtualization, and high-performance computing workloads.

Digital Optical Monitoring for Proactive Management

Digital optical monitoring capabilities are integral to this category, providing administrators with real-time insights into transceiver health and performance. Parameters such as optical power levels and operating temperature can be monitored through standard network management interfaces.

This visibility enables proactive maintenance strategies, allowing potential issues to be identified and addressed before they impact network availability. In large-scale deployments, such monitoring is essential for maintaining service level agreements and ensuring consistent user experience.

Quality Assurance and Lifecycle Stability

The lifecycle stability of the 10/25GBASE-CSR transceiver category ensures that organizations can standardize on a consistent optical solution over extended periods. This stability simplifies procurement, sparing, and lifecycle management processes.

The Cisco-compatible UCSC-P-M4D25GF module exemplifies this stability by offering predictable performance characteristics and long-term availability aligned with Cisco platform lifecycles.

Scalability and Future-Ready Network Design

Scalability is a defining attribute of the 10/25GBASE-CSR optical transceiver category. As bandwidth demands continue to grow due to cloud adoption, virtualization, and data-intensive applications, networks must be designed to scale efficiently. The ability of this category to support both 10G and 25G speeds provides a smooth upgrade path without disruptive infrastructure changes.

Future-ready network design benefits from the standardized nature of the SFP28 form factor and multimode optical transmission. Organizations can deploy high-density switches with confidence that the optical ecosystem will support evolving requirements. The Cisco UCSC-P-M4D25GF compatible transceiver plays a key role in enabling this forward-looking approach.

Investment Protection Through Backward Compatibility

Backward compatibility with 10G environments is a significant advantage of this category. Enterprises that have invested heavily in 10G infrastructure can extend the useful life of their existing cabling and network devices while preparing for higher speeds.

This investment protection reduces total cost of ownership and allows IT budgets to be allocated more strategically. The dual-rate nature of the Cisco-compatible UCSC-P-M4D25GF transceiver directly supports this incremental upgrade strategy.

Alignment with Industry Migration to 25GbE

The industry trend toward 25GbE as a mainstream data center speed is driven by improved bandwidth efficiency and cost effectiveness compared to legacy 10GbE solutions. The 10/25GBASE-CSR transceiver category aligns perfectly with this migration, offering a practical and reliable optical interface for next-generation networks.

By adopting this category, organizations position themselves to meet future performance demands while maintaining operational continuity. The Cisco UCSC-P-M4D25GF compatible module serves as a foundational building block in this evolutionary process.

Cost Efficiency and Deployment Flexibility

Cost efficiency is an important consideration in optical transceiver selection, and the 10/25GBASE-CSR category offers a compelling balance of performance and affordability. Multimode fiber optics and 850nm laser technology are generally more cost-effective than long-reach single-mode alternatives, particularly for short-distance applications.

Deployment flexibility is enhanced by the standardized form factor and widespread compatibility of this category. Network designers can deploy these transceivers across a variety of platforms and use cases without extensive customization or specialized training.

Optimized for High-Density Environments

The compact SFP28 design enables high port densities on switches and servers, maximizing bandwidth within limited physical space. This optimization is especially valuable in colocation facilities and enterprise data centers where rack space is at a premium.

The Cisco UCSC-P-M4D25GF compatible transceiver supports these high-density deployments by delivering reliable performance without excessive power or cooling requirements.

Simplified Inventory and Maintenance

Standardizing on a single category of dual-rate optical transceivers simplifies inventory management and maintenance processes. Fewer part numbers reduce complexity and minimize the risk of deployment errors.

This simplification translates into operational efficiencies and lower administrative overhead, further enhancing the overall value of the 10/25GBASE-CSR optical transceiver category.