Cisco CFP2 Module — 100G Pluggable Optical Transceiver for Enterprise Networking

The Cisco CFP2 Module is a state-of-the-art networking solution designed to elevate enterprise and data-center connectivity with high-density, high-performance 100G capabilities. Built to meet the evolving demands of modern networks, this pluggable transceiver delivers reliable, scalable throughput for core and aggregation layers, while remaining compatible with Cisco’s robust management frameworks. Whether you are upgrading your data center spine, expanding a campus backbone, or enabling rapid interconnects between facilities, the CFP2 Module provides a forward-looking pathway to faster, more efficient networks. With Cisco’s focus on interoperability, diagnostics, and field readiness, this module helps IT teams deploy predictable performance and simplified operations across heterogeneous environments. The CFP2 Form Factor reduces port sprawl and supports flexible deployment scenarios, giving you the speed you need without compromising manageability or reliability.

• High-performance 100G pluggable transceiver. Delivers aggregated 100 Gbps throughput across four 25 Gbps lanes, enabling scalable data-center interconnects, high-speed campus networks, and backbone links. This module is engineered to minimize latency and maximizes utilization of fiber resources, helping you achieve lower total cost of ownership while supporting peak traffic patterns and bursty workloads.
• Seamless Cisco ecosystem integration. Designed to work in harmony with Cisco switches and routers, the CFP2 Module integrates with Cisco IOS/XR and NX-OS ecosystems. Expect plug-and-play deployment, straightforward management, and consistent behavior with other Cisco optics, enabling uniform monitoring, policy enforcement, and lifecycle management across your network stack.
• Advanced diagnostics and reliability features. Built with digital diagnostics monitoring (DDM) and robust error detection, this transceiver provides real-time visibility into key parameters such as optical power, transmit bias, and temperature. The result is proactive health checks, rapid fault isolation, and easier compliance with service-level agreements (SLAs) in mission-critical environments.
• Flexible reach options for diverse deployments. Available in LR/ER variants to accommodate data-center, metro, and inter-building deployments. The module’s design supports long-reach connectivity over standard single-mode fiber, enabling flexible topology planning, future-proofing for bandwidth upgrades, and streamlined upgrades without changing the physical layer infrastructure.
• Rugged, enterprise-grade design for data centers and campuses. The CFP2 Module features a compact, hot-swappable form factor that minimizes downtime during maintenance or upgrades. Its materials and engineering emphasize reliability, with a focus on thermal efficiency, corrosion resistance, and compatibility with dense rack deployments often found in modern data centers and enterprise networks.

Technical Details of Cisco CFP2 Module

• Form Factor: CFP2 pluggable optical transceiver designed for 100G Ethernet applications and compatible with Cisco line cards and switch modules that support CFP2 interfaces.
• Data Rate: 100 Gbps aggregated across four 25 Gbps lanes (4×25G). Optimized for scalable, high-throughput links within data centers and backbone networks.
• Interface: Electrical interface comprises four high-speed lanes that connect to the host device, enabling efficient data transfer and straightforward integration into Cisco platforms.
• Optical Standards: Supports common 100G optical interfaces used in enterprise and data-center networks (LR4/ER4 variants are typical options for long-reach and extended reach deployments).
• Wavelengths and Reach: Available in LR and ER variants to address short- and long-reach deployments over single-mode fiber, helping to optimize fiber budgets and reduce link costs.
• Operating Temperature: Designed for data-center environments with standard operating temperature ranges suitable for typical 0–70°C facilities, ensuring reliable performance in dense racks.
• Power and Efficiency: Engineered with efficient power usage to minimize heat load and cooling requirements while maintaining strong performance across traffic profiles.
• Diagnostics: Includes digital diagnostics monitoring (DDM) capabilities for real-time visibility into laser bias, transmit power, temperature, and optical receiver metrics.
• Compatibility: Tested and validated for interoperability within Cisco networking ecosystems, ensuring smooth integration with Cisco switches, routers, and management tools.

How to install Cisco CFP2 Module

Installing the Cisco CFP2 Module is straightforward when you follow standard safety and equipment procedures. Before you begin, review your device’s maintenance window policies and ensure you have backup configurations and current firmware levels. This guide assumes you are upgrading or adding a CFP2 module to a Cisco switch or router with available CFP2 slots. Always power down or follow the device’s hot-swap policy as required by your hardware environment.

• Power down or prepare the device for maintenance. If your platform supports hot-swapping, you can proceed without a full shutdown, but ensure port policies and link states are respected. If needed, place the device in a maintenance mode and disable the target port to prevent traffic disruption during the swap.
• Remove the existing module (if upgrading). If you are replacing an existing CFP2 or related transceiver, carefully unlatch and remove the old module according to your equipment’s service manual, ensuring no lingering fiber connections or bent fiber tips.
• Inspect and prepare the slot. Verify the CFP2 slot is free of debris and free of damage. Align the module with the connector guides and ensure you have the correct orientation before insertion. Do not force the module; it should slide in with a gentle, firm push until it seats and a click confirms engagement.
• Insert the CFP2 Module. Gently push the module into the slot until it is fully seated. Confirm that the module’s LEDs indicate power and link status per the device’s user guide. If your device supports DDM, verify initial readings to ensure a healthy connection begins immediately after installation.
• Power up, initialize, and verify operation. Power up the device (if required) and re-enable the port. Use the device’s management interface to confirm the transceiver is recognized, the link is up, and the correct data-rate settings are in place. Run a basic throughput and BER test to validate performance, and monitor the transceiver’s diagnostics for any anomalies.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the Cisco CFP2 Module? The Cisco CFP2 Module is a 100G pluggable optical transceiver designed for enterprise networks and data centers. It provides high-density, high-throughput connectivity through a CFP2 form factor, delivering reliable 100G links for core-to-edge deployment while integrating with Cisco management and monitoring tools.
• Which Cisco devices support CFP2 modules? CFP2 modules are designed for Cisco switches and routers with CFP2-enabled interfaces. Compatibility depends on the platform’s line cards and supported optics. Always refer to the device’s interoperability matrix to confirm CFP2 support for your specific model and software version.
• How does CFP2 differ from QSFP28? CFP2 is a distinct form factor and optical interface designed for 100G Ethernet with four 25G lanes in a compact pluggable module. QSFP28 is another 100G/40G form factor with a different physical interface. While both can deliver 100G, they are not always interchangeable without the appropriate hardware slots and optic compatibility. Check your hardware’s slot type and firmware requirements before mixing form factors.
• What maintenance or monitoring capabilities does the CFP2 Module offer? The CFP2 Module typically provides digital diagnostics monitoring (DDM) to report real-time parameters such as laser power, bias current, temperature, and receiver performance. This information supports proactive maintenance, fault isolation, and SLA adherence by enabling rapid correlation between physical layer metrics and network behavior.
• Is the CFP2 module hot-swappable? Yes. The CFP2 module is designed to be hot-swappable on supported Cisco platforms, allowing you to replace or upgrade without powering down the entire device in many cases. Always follow your vendor’s recommended hot-swap procedures and ensure proper risk assessment before changing active links.