Q8X95A HPE 100gbase-sr4 100m Qsfp28 Optical Transceiver

Detailed Overview of the HPE Q8X95A Finisar 100GBASE-SR4 QSFP28 Optical Transceiver

The HPE Q8X95A Finisar 100GBASE-SR4 is a high-speed, short-range optical transceiver module engineered for efficient data transmission in high-density network environments. Operating over multi-mode fiber (MMF), this transceiver delivers 100Gbps data throughput up to 100 meters, making it ideal for top-of-rack (ToR) and middle-of-row (MoR) architectures in enterprise, cloud, and hyperscale data centers. With QSFP28 form factor and compliance to IEEE 802.3bm standards, it combines performance and compatibility in one compact solution.

Key Attributes and Technical Specifications

Core Characteristics

• Brand: HPE
• Model Number: Q8X95A
• Transceiver Type: 100GBASE-SR4 Optical Module
• Connector Interface: MPO/MTP (Multi-fiber Push On/Pull Off)
• Form Factor: QSFP28
• Maximum Reach: 100 meters on OM4 multimode fiber
• Data Rate: 100 Gigabits per second

Compatibility and Use Case Scenarios

The Q8X95A is purpose-built for use in HPE networking hardware, ensuring seamless integration with a wide array of HPE switches and systems. Its design also aligns with third-party interoperability requirements, offering flexibility in multi-vendor data center environments.

Ideal Applications Include:

• Core-to-aggregation layer connectivity
• Short-haul interconnects within high-density racks
• Backbone upgrades for enterprise LAN environments
• High-throughput virtualized infrastructure and hyper-converged deployments

Mechanical and Environmental Characteristics

Compact Design for Dense Deployments

Its QSFP28 form factor allows installation in densely populated switch ports, optimizing rack space while maintaining airflow. The pluggable form makes the module hot-swappable, reducing service interruption during upgrades or replacements.

Physical Specifications

• Hot-pluggable for flexible system architecture
• Designed for 4-lane parallel transmission
• Standard MPO-12 connector type for easy cabling

Thermal and Power Efficiency

Engineered to operate within standard environmental tolerances, the module supports extended temperature ranges while maintaining minimal power consumption—typically below 3.5W. This contributes to cooler data center operation and greater energy savings.

Advanced Performance and Signal Integrity

High-Bandwidth Throughput

Leveraging four parallel lanes of 25Gbps each, the transceiver achieves 100Gbps aggregate data transfer with low latency and high reliability, supporting the demands of modern data-centric workloads and applications.

Reliable Signal Transmission

• Digital diagnostics monitoring for performance tracking
• Integrated CDR (Clock and Data Recovery) for improved signal quality
• Optimized for multimode fiber to maintain signal integrity over short distances

Interoperability and Compliance

Industry Standards and Protocols

This optical transceiver aligns with IEEE 802.3bm, MSA (Multi-Source Agreement), and QSFP28 mechanical/electrical interface specifications. It ensures compatibility across OEM and open networking environments, allowing smooth implementation into modern network frameworks.

Certifications and Safety Standards

• RoHS compliant to support eco-friendly deployments
• EMC and EMI compliant for reliable performance in electrically noisy environments
• Tested to meet rigorous safety and thermal shock standards

Integration with HPE Ecosystem

Seamless HPE Infrastructure Support

HPE’s Q8X95A transceiver is validated for use across a broad spectrum of HPE platforms, including HPE FlexFabric and Aruba networking equipment. Integration benefits include streamlined firmware updates, lifecycle management, and enhanced system visibility via HPE’s intelligent infrastructure tools.

Compatible HPE Systems

• HPE Synergy interconnect modules
• HPE FlexNetwork and FlexFabric switches
• Aruba data center switches supporting 100Gbps QSFP28 ports

Operational Efficiency and Cost Advantages

Performance with Value

Designed to deliver enterprise-level performance, the Q8X95A offers an attractive cost-per-gigabit ratio. Its reliable performance, ease of deployment, and long-term support make it a cost-efficient component for scaling high-performance networks.

Benefits to Data Center Operators

• Fast deployment with minimal downtime
• Scalable performance without disruptive infrastructure changes
• Optimized for operational cost reduction

Power Usage Optimization

The module consumes significantly less power than older generation 100Gbps optics, contributing to reduced heat output and lower cooling demands, thus lowering TCO in energy-conscious deployments.

Monitoring and Diagnostics Capabilities

Enhanced Network Visibility

Integrated DOM (Digital Optical Monitoring) allows real-time diagnostics on key performance metrics such as optical power, temperature, and voltage. These analytics enable proactive troubleshooting and preemptive maintenance, ensuring maximum uptime.

Monitoring Tools Integration

• Compatible with SNMP-based network management platforms
• Supports error detection and reporting over host interface
• Firmware upgradeable to improve module lifecycle

Q8X95A HPE Finisar 100GBASE-SR4 100m QSFP28 Optical Transceiver Overview

The Q8X95A HPE Finisar 100GBASE-SR4 100m QSFP28 Optical Transceiver is engineered for enterprise data centers, cloud-scale networks, and high-performance computing environments requiring high-speed, short-range data transmission. Designed to operate at 100Gbps over multimode fiber (MMF), this transceiver meets the demanding requirements of modern network infrastructures while maintaining optimal energy efficiency, thermal performance, and scalability.

Form Factor and Interface

The Q8X95A transceiver adopts the compact QSFP28 form factor, which is the industry standard for 100GbE (Gigabit Ethernet) optical modules. Its standardized design allows seamless integration into HPE switches, routers, and server NICs that support QSFP28 ports. The hot-pluggable interface promotes ease of maintenance and upgradeability, allowing network administrators to scale bandwidth with minimal disruption.

Hot-Pluggable Design Benefits

One of the key benefits of the Q8X95A transceiver is its hot-swappable design. This means network operators can insert or remove the module without shutting down the system, minimizing downtime and enhancing network availability. It supports plug-and-play operation, reducing deployment complexity and eliminating the need for specialized installation tools.

Transmission Capabilities and Range

This optical transceiver supports the 100GBASE-SR4 Ethernet standard, enabling 100 Gbps data transfer over OM4 multimode fiber up to 100 meters and OM3 fiber up to 70 meters. With four parallel lanes of 25Gbps, the module is ideal for short-distance backbone connections within data centers.

Multimode Fiber Compatibility

Optimized for short-range multimode fiber optics, the Q8X95A is fully compatible with MTP/MPO-12 fiber connectors. This compatibility ensures efficient cable management and high-density deployment across core, aggregation, and top-of-rack switch layers.

OM3 vs. OM4 Performance

• OM3 Fiber: Reach up to 70 meters at 100Gbps
• OM4 Fiber: Reach up to 100 meters at 100Gbps

This performance distinction allows network architects to choose fiber types that align with their performance needs and cabling infrastructure.

Use Cases in Enterprise and Data Center Environments

The Q8X95A is ideally suited for high-density data center deployments, hyper-scale environments, and enterprise networks transitioning to 100GbE core and edge architectures. It is frequently used in scenarios including:

• Top-of-Rack (ToR) to Spine Switch connectivity
• Intra-rack and inter-rack switch interconnects
• Server uplinks to 100GbE switches
• High-speed virtualization and storage area network (SAN) backbones

Advantages in Virtualized and Cloud Workloads

Modern virtualized environments demand low-latency, high-throughput interconnects. The Q8X95A transceiver’s low power consumption and reliable performance make it suitable for large-scale VMware, Hyper-V, and OpenStack deployments, ensuring seamless virtual machine migrations and high-speed cloud access.

Optical Technology and Performance

The Q8X95A Finisar module utilizes VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser) technology for optical transmission. VCSEL-based modules are known for their energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and suitability for multimode fiber applications. The module integrates four separate transmit and receive channels, each operating at 25Gbps to aggregate 100Gbps total throughput.

Wavelength and Signal Integrity

Operating at a wavelength of 850nm, the Q8X95A ensures optimal signal transmission over short-reach MMF links. It incorporates digital diagnostics monitoring (DDM) features for real-time diagnostics of optical output power, input power, temperature, laser bias current, and supply voltage.

Compatibility and Interoperability

The Q8X95A is fully qualified and certified for use with HPE networking equipment, including HPE FlexFabric switches, HPE Synergy interconnect modules, and HPE ProLiant server NICs. It is interoperable with other compliant QSFP28 devices, ensuring flexible deployment across mixed-vendor environments.

Vendor-Specific Firmware

HPE ensures that the Q8X95A firmware is optimized for performance, error handling, and diagnostics within HPE infrastructure. This tight integration reduces the risk of interoperability issues and maximizes system stability.

Power Efficiency and Thermal Management

With a typical power consumption of less than 3.5W, the Q8X95A supports energy-efficient data center designs. Lower power draw translates to reduced heat generation, easing cooling requirements and contributing to overall sustainability efforts.

Environmental Operating Conditions

• Operating Temperature: 0°C to 70°C
• Storage Temperature: -40°C to 85°C
• Humidity: 5% to 85% non-condensing

These thermal thresholds ensure that the module operates reliably in dense networking environments with proper airflow and ventilation.

Security and Data Integrity

While the optical transceiver itself does not perform encryption, its reliability ensures integrity at the physical layer, which is foundational for higher-layer security protocols. It supports secure deployment in environments with high confidentiality demands, such as government, finance, and healthcare sectors.

Layered Security Model

In combination with HPE network switches and advanced firewalls, the Q8X95A supports secure zone segmentation, protected VLANs, and monitored link integrity, reducing attack vectors across the infrastructure.

Compliance and Standards

The Q8X95A meets a broad array of international standards, ensuring compliance across global markets. This includes certifications and standards such as:

• IEEE 802.3bm 100GBASE-SR4
• SFF-8636 for management interface
• RoHS and CE compliance
• Class 1 Laser Eye Safety (IEC 60825-1)

Diagnostic and Monitoring Features

The integrated DDM interface provides real-time operational feedback, enabling predictive maintenance and reducing the likelihood of unplanned outages. This monitoring can be accessed via HPE management software, offering advanced visibility into the module’s status.

Scalability in Next-Generation Networks

As enterprises and data centers prepare for traffic growth driven by AI, IoT, and 5G technologies, scalable 100GbE solutions like the Q8X95A are essential. They offer the foundation for a scalable architecture capable of supporting future increases in data load without overhauling physical infrastructure.

Migration Path to 400GbE

By deploying modular QSFP28 infrastructure today, organizations can build a migration strategy toward 200GbE and 400GbE, leveraging breakout cables and upgraded transceivers while retaining their existing cabling investment.

Reliability and Warranty Support

Backed by HPE’s extensive warranty and global technical support network, the Q8X95A offers reliable, enterprise-grade performance with support for return merchandise authorization (RMA), firmware updates, and access to HPE’s proactive diagnostic tools.

MTBF and Durability

Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) is engineered to exceed industry standards, making the Q8X95A suitable for mission-critical workloads requiring continuous operation. It undergoes rigorous testing for shock, vibration, thermal cycling, and humidity tolerance.

Choose the Q8X95A for Your 100GbE Network

The HPE Q8X95A Finisar 100GBASE-SR4 QSFP28 optical transceiver provides an ideal balance of performance, reliability, and cost-efficiency for enterprises building scalable 100GbE networks. Its integration with HPE systems ensures seamless deployment, while its standardized features support multi-vendor compatibility.

Key Benefits at a Glance

• 100Gbps over 100 meters with OM4 MMF
• Optimized for HPE server and switch integration
• Low power consumption under 3.5W
• Digital diagnostics monitoring for operational assurance
• Hot-pluggable QSFP28 design for flexible upgrades
• Reliable performance backed by HPE global support

Ideal for These HPE Products

• HPE FlexNetwork 5130 and 5940 switches
• HPE Synergy 480 Gen10 compute modules
• HPE ProLiant DL560, DL380, and DL360 Gen10 servers with 100GbE adapters
• HPE Aruba data center switches with QSFP28 ports

Deployment Recommendations

To maximize performance and minimize installation errors, it is recommended to use HPE-validated OM4 MTP/MPO cables, maintain proper cable polarity, and ensure that fiber optic cleanliness is maintained during deployment. Leveraging HPE Intelligent Management tools can simplify transceiver monitoring and error tracking across large-scale environments.

Smart Cable Management

Using high-density patch panels and fiber trays can help maintain organized cabling, reduce bend loss, and improve airflow. Color-coded fiber systems are also recommended to quickly distinguish between OM3 and OM4 deployments.

Lifecycle and Futureproofing Considerations

As part of a long-term network planning strategy, deploying Q8X95A transceivers aligns with current and near-future Ethernet standards. Organizations leveraging these transceivers can efficiently adapt to evolving bandwidth needs, software-defined networking (SDN), and network function virtualization (NFV) frameworks.

Investment Protection

By choosing HPE-certified optics, businesses ensure compatibility, technical support, and firmware assurance not typically guaranteed by third-party optics. This protection enhances return on investment and avoids unplanned costs due to component incompatibility or failure.

Conclusion of Technical Capabilities

While not concluding the page, it’s important to reiterate the Q8X95A HPE Finisar module’s technical excellence. This device remains one of the top-tier choices for high-speed, short-range optical connectivity in enterprise-grade networking environments.