980-9I042-00C000 Mellanox 100GbE QSFP28 1310nm DR1 Transceiver.

Mellanox 980-9I042-00C000 100GbE QSFP28 Transceiver

High-Speed 100G Optical Networking Module

The Mellanox 980-9I042-00C000 is a high-performance 100 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP28 optical transceiver engineered for data-intensive networking environments. Designed for reliable long-distance connectivity, it ensures stable and efficient optical signal transmission across advanced infrastructure systems.

Key Product Identification Details

• Manufacturer: Mellanox
• Part Number: 980-9I042-00C000
• Device Category: Optical Transceiver Module
• Speed Class: 100GbE (100 Gigabit Ethernet)

Advanced Technical Characteristics

Signal Processing and Modulation

• Supports 4x 25Gb/s NRZ modulation for high-efficiency data transmission
• Optimized signal integrity for reduced distortion and improved throughput

Interface and Power Efficiency

• Single 3.3V power supply architecture for simplified integration
• Low typical power consumption with near-zero dissipation at each end using retiming technology
• Fully hot-pluggable design for seamless installation and replacement

Compliance and Standards

• Compliant with SFF-8665 QSFP56 port standards
• Supports SFF-8636 I2C management interface for enhanced control and monitoring
• RoHS compliant for environmentally responsible deployment

Optical Performance and Reach

• Supports transmission distances up to 500 meters
• Operates at 1310nm wavelength using LC-LC connector interface
• Optimized for DR1 short-reach and data center interconnect applications

Configuration and Control Features

Programmability and Signal Tuning

• Programmable RX output amplitude for flexible system tuning
• Adjustable pre-emphasis settings to improve signal quality over distance
• Enhanced compatibility with high-density switching environments

Typical Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios

Data Center and Network Integration

• Ideal for high-speed spine-leaf network architectures
• Supports interconnection between advanced Mellanox switch systems
• Enables scalable 100G infrastructure upgrades in enterprise networks

Supported Hardware Applications

• Compatible with 4x MMS1V70-CM on MSN2700 systems
• Enables connectivity to a single MMS1V00-WM on MSN4700 platforms

Deployment Advantages

• Improves bandwidth efficiency in large-scale environments
• Reduces latency in high-performance computing networks
• Enhances overall optical link stability and reliability

Mellanox 980-9I042-00C000 100GbE 1310nm DR1 Transceiver

The Mellanox 980-9I042-00C000 100GbE QSFP28 LC-LC 1310nm DR1 Transceiver Module represents a high-performance optical networking component engineered for next-generation data centers, cloud infrastructure, high-performance computing (HPC) environments, and enterprise-grade backbone networks. Designed to support 100 Gigabit Ethernet (100GbE) transmission, this QSFP28 form-factor optical transceiver enables ultra-fast data transfer over single-mode fiber (SMF) using LC-LC duplex connectors and a 1310nm wavelength optimized for long-range optical communication stability and efficiency.

Category Positioning in High-Speed Optical Networking Ecosystems

Within the broader optical transceiver ecosystem, the Mellanox 980-9I042-00C000 module falls into the category of QSFP28 100G DR1 (Data Rate 1-lane) optical transceivers. This category is widely deployed in environments requiring dense, scalable, and energy-efficient interconnect solutions. The module is specifically designed for infrastructure where low latency, high bandwidth, and optical signal integrity are mission-critical.

Role of QSFP28 in Modern Data Centers

QSFP28 (Quad Small Form-Factor Pluggable 28) is an industry-standard form factor supporting 100Gbps Ethernet connections. Unlike earlier QSFP+ modules, QSFP28 is optimized for higher data rates while maintaining the same compact physical footprint. This allows network architects to increase port density on switches and routers without increasing rack space consumption, which is essential in hyperscale environments such as cloud service providers and enterprise data centers.

Importance of 1310nm Wavelength in Optical Transmission

The 1310nm wavelength is commonly used in single-mode fiber communication due to its low attenuation and minimal dispersion characteristics. In the context of the Mellanox 980-9I042-00C000 module, this wavelength ensures reliable signal transmission over extended distances, making it ideal for data center interconnects, metro network deployments, and structured cabling systems that require consistent high-speed performance.

Technical Architecture of Mellanox 980-9I042-00C000 Module

The internal architecture of the Mellanox 980-9I042-00C000 transceiver is designed to balance performance, power efficiency, and thermal stability. It integrates advanced optical components, digital signal processing (DSP), and high-quality laser transmission technology to ensure stable 100GbE throughput across supported distances.

QSFP28 Electrical and Optical Interface Design

The module uses a high-speed electrical interface compliant with IEEE 802.3bm standards. The QSFP28 interface consists of four high-speed lanes, each capable of carrying 25Gbps electrical signals. However, in DR1 implementations such as this module, advanced optical multiplexing or single-lane optimization techniques are employed to deliver aggregated 100Gbps throughput over a single optical channel using PAM4 or equivalent modulation technologies depending on implementation design.

LC-LC Connector Configuration

The LC-LC duplex connector system is a widely adopted fiber optic termination standard in enterprise networking. Its compact size and high precision alignment mechanism make it suitable for high-density installations. The Mellanox 980-9I042-00C000 leverages LC-LC connectors to ensure minimal insertion loss and optimal optical coupling efficiency.

Single-Mode Fiber Optimization

This transceiver module is optimized for single-mode fiber (SMF), which supports long-distance signal propagation with minimal attenuation. SMF is particularly effective in 1310nm wavelength applications where chromatic dispersion is reduced, ensuring signal integrity across extended link spans commonly found in distributed data center architectures.

Performance Characteristics and Operational Efficiency

The Mellanox 980-9I042-00C000 is engineered for high-performance networking environments where reliability and low latency are critical. Its performance characteristics make it suitable for applications such as cloud computing backbones, enterprise aggregation layers, and high-frequency trading infrastructure.

Data Rate and Throughput Capabilities

With support for 100GbE data transmission, this module ensures seamless handling of large-scale data flows. It is optimized for workloads that require high throughput such as distributed storage systems, AI model training clusters, and virtualization environments. The ability to maintain stable throughput under heavy traffic conditions makes it a preferred choice in mission-critical deployments.

Latency Optimization Features

Low latency is achieved through optimized optical signal processing and minimal electronic overhead within the module design. This is especially important in environments where microsecond-level delays can impact system performance, such as financial trading networks and real-time analytics systems.

Power Consumption Efficiency

Energy efficiency is a key design consideration in QSFP28 modules. The Mellanox 980-9I042-00C000 is built to maintain low power consumption while delivering high bandwidth. This contributes to reduced operational costs in large-scale deployments where thousands of transceiver modules may be active simultaneously.

Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The versatility of the Mellanox 980-9I042-00C000 100GbE transceiver makes it suitable for a wide range of networking environments. Its compatibility with high-speed switches and routers enables seamless integration into modern network topologies.

Data Center Interconnect (DCI) Applications

In data center interconnect environments, this module enables high-speed communication between geographically separated data centers. The 1310nm wavelength and single-mode fiber compatibility allow for stable long-distance transmission, supporting redundancy, disaster recovery, and load balancing architectures.

Cloud Infrastructure and Hyperscale Environments

Hyperscale cloud providers rely on high-density 100GbE connectivity to support massive distributed computing workloads. The QSFP28 form factor allows for scalable deployment in spine-leaf architectures, ensuring consistent bandwidth across network layers.

High-Performance Computing (HPC) Clusters

HPC environments require extremely fast inter-node communication for tasks such as scientific simulations, AI training, and large-scale data processing. The Mellanox 980-9I042-00C000 module provides the necessary bandwidth and reliability to support these computationally intensive workloads.

Enterprise Backbone and Core Network Infrastructure

Enterprise networks benefit from 100GbE transceivers by upgrading backbone infrastructure to handle increasing data traffic demands. This module helps ensure smooth data flow between core routers, aggregation switches, and distribution layers.