Cisco - QSFP28 transceiver module - 100GbE - Ethernet 100GBase-SR1.2 - LC/UPC multi-mode - up to 100 m - 855 nm / 908 nm

Product Overview

AI-generated summary

For £1,154 ex-VAT, this is the sort of Cisco 100GbE QSFP28 SR transceiver you buy when you *need* Cisco compatibility and you’re deploying in a fixed, validated environment—typically data centres and enterprise networks where optics are treated as “part of the platform,” not generic spares. If your switches are already Cisco and you’ve got existing multi-mode fibre runs within that short reach window, this is a sensible “buy once, install, forget” option. The LC/UPC multi-mode angle and the stated 100m-class intent mean it’s meant for local rack-to-rack or row-to-row use, not long-distance links.

That said, I wouldn’t treat this as a bargain—at this price you’re paying for the brand/entitlement and the peace of mind of Cisco-approved optics. If your network isn’t locked to Cisco, or you’re simply trying to add capacity cheaply, there are often better-value third-party or non-OEM optics that work reliably (assuming your vendor supports them and you can confirm compatibility with your specific switch models/firmware). My advice: buy it if you’re on a Cisco platform that you can’t afford to troubleshoot, and your fibre plant and transceiver budget really match the multi-mode short-reach use case; avoid it if you’re cost-optimising or your switches are known to be fussy with non-OEM modules.