XFP

XFP stands for 10 Gigabit Small Form Factor Pluggable and refers to a pluggable transceiver module for transmission rates of 10 Gbit/s. It is used in switches, routers and transport systems, predominantly for fibre optic links using multimode or singlemode fibre. Compared with the older XENPAK and X2 formats, XFP is considerably more compact, yet it is larger and more power hungry than the later SFP+ format. Serialisation takes place within the module itself, allowing the host to be connected through a single serial lane. Versions are available for various reach classes as well as for CWDM and DWDM applications. As SFP+ has largely replaced this form factor in new equipment, XFP is mainly found in existing installations and legacy platforms. Refurbished modules maintain continued operation in such environments.