The 3HE04821BA is a 100G LR4 CFP optical transceiver module built for long-reach single-mode fiber links. Here's what it does, its core specs, and where it typically gets used.
What Is a CFP Transceiver?
A CFP (C Form-factor Pluggable) module converts an electrical signal to an optical one, and back, at the edge of a router or switch, so the host hardware doesn't need its optics built in. LR4 modules use four wavelengths over a single fiber pair to reach 100 Gbps aggregate throughput over longer distances than a single-wavelength design manages.
Key Specs of the 3HE04821BA:
- 100G LR4: Up to 100 Gbps aggregate throughput.
- Four-Lane WDM: Four 25 Gbps wavelengths multiplexed onto a single-mode fiber pair.
- Long-Reach Single-Mode Fiber: Built for longer links than a short-reach module covers.
- Platform Fit: Designed for Alcatel-Lucent 7750 SR service router systems.
Applications:
- Service Provider Core/Edge Links: 100G LR4 is a common choice for router-to-router links that need to cover distance without amplification.
- Data Center Interconnect: Long-reach 100G optics link facilities too far apart for short-reach modules.
Genuine vs. Counterfeit Modules
Optical transceivers get counterfeited often enough that sourcing matters: a counterfeit module can fail compatibility checks on the host platform, run outside its rated specifications, or fail without warning in service. A genuine, properly-sourced 3HE04821BA carries the manufacturer's own quality and interoperability testing; a counterfeit one carries none of it.