NVIDIA - QSFP28 transceiver module - 100GbE - 100GBase-DR1 - LC / LC - up to 500 m - 1310 nm

Product Overview

AI-generated summary

At £388 ex-VAT, this NVIDIA-branded QSFP28 100GbE optical module is the kind of thing that makes sense when you *already* have the matching switches/transceivers in your environment and you’re trying to avoid downtime or compatibility arguments. The “DR1”/1310nm angle and LC/LC work well for short-reach data centre links, typically where you need reliable 100GbE connectivity without switching to DAC/copper. If your optics/cabling practice is mature (known-good fibre plant, correct patching, proper reach for the run), this is a perfectly sensible buy.

I’d be cautious if you’re buying this as a “universal fix” for an unknown network issue or you’re mixing vendors casually. With optical modules, the real-world pain isn’t the spec sheet—it’s compatibility (and vendor qualification/firmware quirks) plus the cost and time of re-cabling if someone misjudged reach. Also, if you only need very short runs, DAC might be cheaper and simpler. Who should buy: teams with 100GbE QSFP28-capable gear from NVIDIA (or officially supported by them) who want dependable short-reach fibre links. Who shouldn’t: anyone trying to standardise on the cheapest optic without checking compatibility, or anyone where copper/DAC would be sufficient.