Cisco 100GBase-LR4 CPAK Module for SMF

The Cisco 100GBase-LR4 CPAK Module for SMF is engineered to deliver blazing-fast 100Gbps connectivity with the reliability and precision Cisco customers expect. Built for modern data centers, high-performance computing environments, and enterprise core networks, this high-density CPAK transceiver combines four 25G lanes into a single robust module that travels over single-mode fiber (SMF) to reach long-haul distances. Designed for scalability, efficiency, and seamless integration with Cisco switching and routing platforms, it is the ideal solution for operators and IT teams pursuing low-latency, high-capacity links that can scale with growing traffic demands. Whether you are upgrading a campus core, extending a data center spine, or powering a service-provider backbone, this 100G LR4 module provides the performance headroom and reliability required for today’s mission-critical networks.

• High-density, multi-lane 100G connectivity: The CPAK form factor packs four 25G lanes into a single module to deliver a unified 100GBASE-LR4 interface. This enables you to maximize port utilization and reduce rack space while preserving the flexibility to deploy long-reach, single-mode fiber links. The LR4 approach uses wavelength-division multiplexing to carry four independent channels over SMF, creating a scalable path to higher bandwidth without unwinding fiber infrastructure.
• Long-reach performance for data centers and service providers: Designed for enterprise core, data center interconnect, and service-provider backbones, this module supports extended reach over SMF, enabling cost-effective, high-capacity connections between data centers and remote sites. With reach suitable for common LR4 deployments, it helps you consolidate links, simplify topology, and reduce the total cost of ownership while maintaining robust signal integrity across long distances.
• Rugged CPAK packaging for reliability and ease of maintenance: The CPAK packaging is engineered for durable operation in dense rack environments. It is hot-swappable on supported Cisco platforms, making maintenance and upgrades less disruptive. The modular design reduces downtime during field replacements and simplifies inventory management for large-scale deployments, ensuring you can scale capacity with minimal operational impact.
• Cisco ecosystem compatibility and seamless integration: Built to align with Cisco Nexus, ASR, and other Cisco switching and routing platforms that support CPAK modules, this 100G LR4 transceiver integrates smoothly into existing networks. It supports Cisco’s management and monitoring ecosystem, enabling straightforward provisioning, status checks, and health monitoring through standard Cisco CLI and management tools. This compatibility minimizes integration risk and accelerates deployment timelines across multi-vendor environments where Cisco equipment forms the backbone of the network.
• Enterprise-grade efficiency, monitoring, and reliability: Beyond raw speed, the module emphasizes power and thermal performance, with careful attention to reliable signaling, error management, and optical monitoring features. It delivers stable performance under typical data-center temperature ranges and supports the kinds of traffic patterns seen in modern 100G networks, including bursty workloads, disaster recovery traffic, and large-scale virtualization traffic that demands consistent throughput and low jitter.

Technical Details of Cisco 100GBase-LR4 CPAK Module for SMF

• Form Factor: CPAK transceiver module
• Data Rate: 100 Gbps total (comprising four 25 Gbps lanes by design)
• Media Type: Single-Mode Fiber (SMF)
• Reach: Up to typical LR4 distances on SMF (distance varies with fiber plant and optics quality; consult your network design for exact reach)
• Wavelength Plan: LR4 channels employing wavelength-division multiplexing around the 1310 nm region
• Connector Type: LC duplex
• Interface Standard: 100GBASE-LR4 compliant transceiver protocol and signaling
• Power Consumption: Typical power usage within a few watts range appropriate for high-density data-center deployments (specifics vary by platform and operating conditions)
• Operating Temperature Range: Designed for standard data-center environments; consult platform specifications for exact operating temperature
• Hot-Swappable: Yes, on supported Cisco platforms
• RoHS and Safety Compliance: Conforms to applicable environmental and safety standards for Cisco optical transceivers

How to install Cisco 100GBase-LR4 CPAK Module for SMF

• Power down or gracefully suspend traffic on the host device as required by your network policy before installation.
• Identify the correct CPAK slot on the Cisco switch or router that supports 100G LR4 modules and CPAK packaging.
• Remove any filler module from the slot and inspect the slot and module to ensure there are no obstructions or bent pins.
• Align the CPAK module with the slot, slide it carefully into place, and press until you hear or feel a secure click. Do not apply excessive force.
• Secure the module’s latch or retention mechanism if required by the platform, then connect the SMF fiber to the LC duplex connectors, ensuring proper polarity and avoiding excessive bend radius.

Power up the device and verify the module is recognized by the system. Use your Cisco management tools or CLI to confirm link status, lane negotiation, and optical health. If necessary, perform basic commissioning steps such as enabling 100G interfaces, configuring IP addressing, and applying any platform-specific QoS or routing policies. Monitor the link for stability and verify throughput with representative traffic to ensure the LR4 channels are operating as expected. If any issues arise, consult Cisco documentation for platform-specific troubleshooting and verify firmware compatibility with the module revision.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the Cisco 100GBase-LR4 CPAK Module for SMF? A: It is a high-density 100Gbps transceiver packaged in Cisco’s CPAK form factor, designed for single-mode fiber links using LR4 technology to carry four 25G lanes over a single fiber pair, suitable for data centers, enterprise cores, and service-provider networks.
• Q: What does LR4 mean in this context? A: LR4 refers to the wavelength-division multiplexed approach for 100G Ethernet, using four parallel 25G channels carried over SMF with four distinct wavelengths to achieve 100G aggregate bandwidth over longer distances.
• Q: Which Cisco platforms support this CPAK module? A: This module is designed to integrate with Cisco switches and routers that support CPAK optics, including select Nexus and ASR platforms. Always verify platform compatibility and firmware requirements with Cisco's official documentation before purchase or deployment.
• Q: How do I know if the module is working correctly? A: After installation, check link status, lane negotiation, and optical health using the device’s CLI or management interface. Look for healthy Rx/Tx, stable 100G interface uplink, and error-free performance. Cisco management tools often provide dashboards and alerts for transceiver health.
• Q: What maintenance considerations apply to this transceiver? A: Handle the module with care during replacement or upgrades, maintain proper fiber handling with minimal bend radius, monitor temperature and power consumption within the platform’s specifications, and keep firmware and driver compatibility up to date for optimal performance and reliability.