Buy Cisco QSFP Transceivers in the USA — 40G/100G Compatibility & Sourcing Guide (2026)
Where to buy Cisco-compatible QSFP+, QSFP28, and QSFP-DD transceivers in the USA — switch compatibility matrix, fibre vs DAC selection, refurbished vs new pricing, and same-day shipping options for B2B buyers.
Where to Buy Cisco QSFP Transceivers in the USA
Cisco QSFP transceivers are the backbone of every modern enterprise data center uplink — yet sourcing the right module for the right switch, at the right price, is harder than it should be. Cisco's own list prices on QSFP-100G-LR4-S or QSFP-40G-SR4 routinely exceed $3,500–$8,000 per module, while OEM-equivalent Cisco-coded modules from US suppliers run 70–90% less with identical optical specs.
This guide is for IT managers, network engineers, MSPs, and procurement teams sourcing Cisco-compatible QSFP+, QSFP28, and QSFP-DD transceivers for Catalyst 9500, Nexus 9000, Nexus 3000, ASR 9000, and Catalyst 8000 series platforms. Every recommendation here is based on real deployment experience and Cisco's published Transceiver Compatibility Matrix.
Browse all Cisco transceivers in stock at Pro Disk Network — over 480 SKUs with same-day US shipping on orders placed before 2pm ET.
QSFP Form Factor Quick Reference
Before buying, confirm which QSFP variant matches your switch port. Mixing form factors is the #1 cause of failed deployments.
| Form Factor | Data Rate | Lanes | Physical Connector | Common Standards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QSFP+ | 40 Gb/s | 4 × 10G | MPO-12 (fibre) or DAC | 40GBASE-SR4, LR4, ER4, CR4 |
| QSFP28 | 100 Gb/s | 4 × 25G | MPO-12 / LC duplex / DAC | 100GBASE-SR4, LR4, CWDM4, AOC, DAC |
| QSFP56 | 200 Gb/s | 4 × 50G | MPO-12 / LC duplex / DAC | 200GBASE-SR4, FR4, DR4 |
| QSFP-DD | 400 Gb/s | 8 × 50G PAM4 | MPO-16 / LC / DAC | 400GBASE-SR8, DR4, FR4, LR4 |
QSFP+ ports are electrically backward-compatible with QSFP28 and vice-versa — but only at the slower rate. A 100G QSFP28 module dropped into a 40G QSFP+ port runs at 40G; a 40G module in a 100G port simply will not link. Always size by the slowest endpoint.
Cisco-Compatible QSFP Transceivers — In Stock at Pro Disk Network
The Cisco-coded modules below are in stock for same-day US shipping. Each is lifetime-warranted, pre-programmed with the original Cisco vendor name and PID, and tested on the actual Cisco platform listed before dispatch.
40G QSFP+
- QSFP-40G-SR4 — Multimode, MPO-12, 100m on OM3 / 150m on OM4 — most-deployed Cisco 40G
- QSFP-40G-SR-BD — Bidirectional 40G over duplex MMF, 100m OM3 / 150m OM4 — for upgrades reusing 10G LC fibre
- QSFP-40G-LR4 — Single-mode 40G, LC duplex, 10km
- QSFP-40G-LR4-S — Cost-optimized single-mode variant, 10km
- QSFP-40G-ER4 — 40km single-mode for long-haul interconnects
- QSFP-H40G-CU1M / CU3M / CU5M — Passive copper DAC, 1/3/5m
- QSFP-H40G-AOC1M through AOC10M — Active optical cable, no fibre patch needed
100G QSFP28
- QSFP-100G-SR4-S — 4×25G multimode, MPO-12, 70m OM3 / 100m OM4
- QSFP-100G-SR1.2 — 100m OM3 / 150m OM4, lower-cost 1.2x SR4
- QSFP-100G-LR4-S — 4×25G CWDM single-mode, LC duplex, 10km
- QSFP-100G-CWDM4-S — Single-mode, 2km, lower-power CWDM4
- QSFP-100G-PSM4-S — 8-fibre parallel single-mode, 500m/2km
- QSFP-100G-AOC1M through AOC30M — Active optical 100G
- QSFP-100G-CU1M through CU5M — Passive 100G DAC
400G QSFP-DD
- QDD-400G-SR8-S — 100m OM4, MPO-16, 8×50G PAM4
- QDD-400G-DR4-S — Single-mode parallel, 500m
- QDD-400G-FR4-S — 2km single-mode CWDM
- QDD-400G-LR4-S — 10km single-mode
- QDD-400-CUxM — Passive copper DAC
Switch Compatibility Matrix
| Switch / Line Card | QSFP+ (40G) | QSFP28 (100G) | QSFP-DD (400G) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catalyst 9500-48Y4C | ✅ 4× | ✅ 4× | ❌ |
| Catalyst 9500-32C | ✅ 32× | ✅ 32× | ❌ |
| Catalyst 9500-32QC | ✅ 32× / 16× breakout | ✅ 16× | ❌ |
| Catalyst 9600 sup-1 | ✅ via 9600-LC-48YL | ✅ via 9600-LC-24C | ❌ |
| Catalyst 9300X-12Y | ✅ uplink | ✅ uplink | ❌ |
| Nexus 9336C-FX2 | ✅ 36× | ✅ 36× | ❌ |
| Nexus 9364C | ✅ 64× | ✅ 64× | ❌ |
| Nexus 93180YC-FX3 | ✅ 6× uplink | ✅ 6× uplink | ❌ |
| Nexus 93600CD-GX | ✅ 28× | ✅ 28× | ✅ 8× |
| Nexus 9332D-GX2B | ✅ 32× | ✅ 32× | ✅ 32× |
| Nexus 9408 / 9504 / 9508 | ✅ via line card | ✅ via line card | ✅ via X9716D-GX |
| ASR 9000 (9904/9906/9910) | ✅ via NCS line card | ✅ via NCS line card | ✅ via 9903-FB-X |
| Catalyst 8500-12X4QC | ✅ 4× | ✅ 4× | ❌ |
For switches not listed above, use Cisco's TMG (Transceiver Module Group) Compatibility Tool — every Cisco-coded module Pro Disk Network ships passes TMG validation.
Fibre vs DAC vs AOC — Decision Framework
For QSFP deployments inside a single rack or adjacent racks (≤ 7m), passive copper DAC is always the cheapest, lowest-power, lowest-latency option — typically $40–$120 vs $400+ for an SR4 module pair plus MPO patch.
For inter-rack and intra-row links up to 100m, multimode fibre (OM4) with SR4 or SR-BD modules is standard. Use BiDi when reusing existing 10G LC duplex fibre infrastructure to avoid recabling.
For inter-row, inter-pod, and building-to-building links beyond 100m, single-mode fibre with LR4, CWDM4, or PSM4 is required. CWDM4 is preferred for 2km links over standard duplex SMF — same fibre count as 10G LR.
For 400G distance > 500m, only LR4 or LR8 will work — DR4 caps at 500m parallel SMF.
| Distance | Recommended Module | Cable Type | Cost (relative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ≤ 5m | DAC (CU passive) | Twinax integrated | $ (lowest) |
| 5–30m | AOC (active optical) | Fibre integrated | $$ |
| 30–100m | SR4 or SR-BD | OM3/OM4 MMF | $$ |
| 100m–2km | CWDM4 / PSM4 | Duplex / parallel SMF | $$$ |
| 2–10km | LR4 / LR4-S | Duplex SMF | $$$ |
| 10–40km | ER4 | Duplex SMF | $$$$ |
Refurbished vs New Cisco-Coded Transceivers
Pro Disk Network stocks both OEM-original Cisco modules (genuine, lifetime warranty, original Cisco PID label) and Cisco-compatible third-party modules (programmed with Cisco vendor data, passes TMG, identical optical performance, $50–$1,500 lower price).
Both options return a normal "show interface transceiver" output and are accepted by Cisco IOS/NX-OS without "non-Cisco SFP" warnings.
For production environments under TAC support contracts, OEM-original is the safer choice — Cisco TAC will not blame a third-party module for an unrelated software bug, but presence of one occasionally complicates ticket workflow.
For out-of-warranty edge switches, lab equipment, secondary uplinks, EOL Nexus 5K/7K, and refresh deployments, third-party Cisco-coded modules typically save 70–90% with no operational difference.
Buying Process — What to Send Pro Disk Network
Email sales@prodisknetwork.com with:
- Switch model + IOS/NX-OS version (e.g., "Nexus 9336C-FX2 running NX-OS 10.4(2)F")
- Quantity needed (modules, not links — links need 2 modules)
- Distance + cable type (e.g., "12 links, 50m, OM4 already installed")
- OEM-original or third-party Cisco-coded preferred
- Lead time / target ship date
Within one business day you get a quote with per-unit price, lead time, stock confirmation, and TMG-validated compatibility note for each module.
Use Cases
Data Center Spine-Leaf Build-Out
40G/100G QSFP+ and QSFP28 between Nexus 9336/9364 spines and 93180YC/93108TC leafs — typically 4–8 uplinks per leaf, redundant. SR4 multimode for ≤100m, CWDM4 for cross-pod.
Campus Catalyst Refresh
Catalyst 9500 distribution to Catalyst 9300/9400 access — uplink 40G or 100G QSFP28 over OM4 trunks. SR4 modules dominate.
VMware vSphere / NSX-T Underlay
QSFP28 100G uplinks from ESXi hosts to leaf switches via Mellanox/Nvidia ConnectX-6 NICs in the host, terminating in Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3 or 9336C. SR4 or DAC.
Long-Haul DCI (Data Center Interconnect)
QSFP-40G-ER4 or 100G-ZR4 between two campuses on dark fibre — 40km is the typical SR/LR ER4 ceiling without coherent optics.
AI/ML GPU Cluster Uplinks
400G QSFP-DD between Nexus 9332D-GX2B aggregation and NVIDIA H100/H200 GPU servers — DR4 for 500m parallel SMF, FR4 for 2km cross-DC.
FAQ
Q: Will third-party Cisco-coded QSFP modules void my switch warranty? A: No — Cisco's SmartNet/TAC contract terms cover the switch hardware regardless of which transceiver is installed. The transceiver itself is warranted by the vendor that supplied it (Pro Disk Network offers lifetime warranty on third-party Cisco-coded modules).
Q: Will my switch reject non-Cisco transceivers? A: Cisco-coded third-party modules from Pro Disk Network are programmed with the original Cisco vendor PID and pass TMG validation. They appear identical to OEM modules in "show interface transceiver" output. You can also disable strict checking with service unsupported-transceiver plus no errdisable detect cause gbic-invalid if needed.
Q: How long does same-day shipping take to my data center? A: Pro Disk Network ships from US warehouses with FedEx/UPS overnight or 2-day options. Order before 2pm ET for same-day dispatch, next-business-day delivery to most US ZIP codes.
Q: Do you sell QSFP-40G-SR-BD for upgrading existing 10G LC duplex fibre to 40G? A: Yes, in stock. SR-BD is the only way to run 40G over duplex MMF without re-cabling to MPO-12, saving thousands per uplink in cabling labour.
Q: What is the difference between QSFP-100G-LR4 and QSFP-100G-LR4-S? A: Optically identical — 4×25G CWDM, LC duplex, 10km on G.652 SMF. The "-S" variant is data-center-optimized: lower power (3.5W vs 4.5W), no OTN/OAM features, $400–$800 cheaper. For pure switch-to-switch links, LR4-S is the right choice.
Q: Can I mix DAC and SR4 modules at the two ends of a 40G/100G link? A: No. Both endpoints must be the same media type. DAC is integrated copper; SR4 is fibre — they are not interoperable.
Q: Do you provide hardware compatibility validation before I order? A: Yes — every quote from Pro Disk Network includes a TMG validation note for each transceiver against your specified switch model and software version. We confirm compatibility before invoicing.
Related Resources
- Cisco SFP Transceivers Complete Guide
- Cisco Switches Complete Compatibility Guide
- Complete Guide: 400G & 100G Network Switches
- Fiber Optic Cables for Data Centers
- SFP vs SFP+ vs QSFP+ vs QSFP28
- Cisco Catalyst 3850 Switches
- Cisco Nexus Switches Landing
- HPE Networking
- Browse all Networking Devices
Get a Quote — Same-Day US Shipping
Pro Disk Network is a USA-based enterprise IT hardware supplier with same-day shipping from US warehouses, Net 30 terms for verified businesses, and a lifetime warranty on every Cisco-coded transceiver we ship.
Email: sales@prodisknetwork.com Phone: see contact page Bulk pricing: 10+ modules — automatic 5–15% discount tier Government / Education: Net 30 terms with PO