400g optical module fiber optic cable
400G optical modules use either multimode fiber (MMF) for short-range links or single-mode fiber (SMF) for medium- to long-range connections, depending on the module type.
Short-Range Modules (SR8 / SR4.2)
For intra-data center connections, 400G modules like 400GBASE-SR8 and 400GBASE-SR4.2 use multimode fiber (MMF), typically OM3, OM4, or OM5. SR8 modules employ 8 parallel channels, each carrying 50G, with a maximum reach of 100 meters on OM4 fiber and around 70 meters on OM3 fiber. SR4.2 modules use 8 channels at 50G per channel, supporting distances up to 100 meters on OM4 and 70 meters on OM3, making them ideal for rack-to-rack or short intra-data center links (Cloudswit.ch, Fibermall, Arista) .
Medium-Range Modules (DR4 / FR4)
For medium-range connections, such as inter-data center links within a campus, 400GBASE-DR4 and 400GBASE-FR4 modules use single-mode fiber (SMF). DR4 modules typically use parallel SMF with 8 fibers, supporting distances up to 500 meters, while FR4 modules use duplex SMF and can reach up to 2 kilometers. These modules are suitable for high-speed aggregation and metro-area connections (Juniper, Fibermall) .
Long-Range Modules (LR4 / ER4)
For long-haul or backbone networks, 400G modules like 400GBASE-LR4 and 400GBASE-ER4 also use duplex single-mode fiber. LR4 supports distances up to 10 km, and ER4 can reach 30–40 km, making them suitable for inter-building or metropolitan area networks (Juniper, Fibermall) .
Summary Table
| Module Type | Fiber Type | Channels | Max Distance | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SR8 / SR4.2 | Multimode (OM3/OM4/OM5) | 8 | 70–100 m | Short-range, intra-data center |
| DR4 | Single-mode (SMF) | 4 | 500 m | Medium-range, data center interconnect |
| FR4 | Single-mode (SMF) | 4 | 2 km | Metro-area or campus links |
| LR4 | Single-mode (SMF) | 4 | 10 km | Long-haul, inter-building |
| ER4 | Single-mode (SMF) | 4 | 30–40 km | Extended long-haul networks |
Key Considerations
- Parallel vs. Duplex: Short-range SR modules use parallel MMF with multiple fibers per channel, while medium- and long-range modules use duplex SMF with wavelength multiplexing.
- Modulation: Most 400G modules employ PAM4 to double data rates per lane, reducing the number of fibers needed.
- Application: Choose MMF for cost-effective, short intra-data center links, and SMF for longer distances or inter-building connections. In conclusion, the fiber type for a 400G optical module depends on the module standard and required reach: MMF for short-range SR modules and SMF for DR, FR, LR, and ER modules for medium- to long-range applications.
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