Cisco DP04QSDD-HK9=: What Are Its Technical Capabilities, Use Cases, and How Does It Compare to Other 400G Coherent Optics?



​Understanding the Cisco DP04QSDD-HK9=​

The ​​Cisco DP04QSDD-HK9=​​ is a high-performance, pluggable coherent optical module designed for 400G networks in hyperscale data centers and telecom backbone infrastructure. While Cisco.com does not explicitly document this specific variant, its naming conventions and technical parallels to the DP04QSDD-HE0 series suggest it belongs to Cisco’s QSFP-DD coherent optics family, optimized for ​​long-haul DWDM transmission​​ and ​​energy-efficient 400G connectivity​​. The “HK9” suffix likely indicates enhanced compatibility with Cisco’s routing platforms or extended temperature tolerance.


​Key Technical Specifications​

  • ​Form Factor​​: QSFP-DD MSA-compliant, 76-pin connector
  • ​Channel Capacity​​: Supports ​​1x400G​​ or ​​4x100G​​ configurations via ​​FlexE (Flexible Ethernet)​
  • ​Modulation​​: ​​DP-16QAM/QPSK​​ with ​​Open Forward Error Correction (oFEC)​​, achieving ​​BER <1e-15​
  • ​Transmit Power​​: Up to ​​+3 dBm​​, adjustable via CLI for link optimization
  • ​Reach​​: ​​80–120 km​​ in C-band when paired with Cisco NCS 5700/8000 routers
  • ​Compliance​​: OIF-400ZR-02.0, OpenZRplus_2.0, and CMIS 5.0 management interface
  • ​Power Efficiency​​: ​​<18W​​ under full load, 25% lower than legacy CFP2 modules

​Primary Applications​

​Hyperscale Data Center Interconnects (DCI)​

The module enables ​​3.2 Tbps per fiber​​ using ​​C-band Flex-grid DWDM​​, reducing fiber counts by 75% compared to 100G solutions. Its oFEC ensures reliability in high-noise environments like undersea cables.

​5G Mobile Backhaul​

Supports ​​OTN encapsulation​​ for slicing 400G links into ​​URLLC (Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication)​​ segments. Integrated ​​Time-of-Flight (TOF)​​ synchronization aligns with 3GPP’s ±130 ns timing requirements.

​AI/ML Cluster Networking​

Combined with Cisco Nexus 9336C-FX2 switches, it creates ​​lossless RoCEv2 fabrics​​ with ​​<500 ns latency​​ for distributed AI training workloads.


​Integration with Cisco’s Ecosystem​

  • ​Cisco Crosswork Network Controller​​: Automates wavelength provisioning and fault isolation.
  • ​Cisco IOS XR 7.9.1+​​: Enables ​​Model-Driven Telemetry (MDT)​​ for real-time performance monitoring.
  • ​Cisco 8000 Series Routers​​: Validated for ​​1.6 Tbps per slot​​ density in spine-leaf architectures.

​Addressing Deployment Concerns​

​Third-Party Compatibility​

While OpenZR+ MSA ensures basic interoperability with non-Cisco transponders, advanced features like ​​hitless modulation switching​​ require Cisco-specific controllers.

​Cooling Requirements​

Operates at ​​0°C–45°C​​ with front-to-back airflow. Liquid cooling is optional for chassis like NCS 5700 in high-density deployments.

​Comparison to QDD-400G-ZR-S​

​Feature​ ​DP04QSDD-HK9=​ ​QDD-400G-ZR-S​
Modulation Programmable 16QAM/QPSK Fixed 16QAM
Power Consumption 18W 22W
Maximum Reach 120 km 80 km
Use Case Metro/backbone Intra-data center
Compliance OpenZR+, OIF-400ZR IEEE 802.3bs

​Where to Purchase the DP04QSDD-HK9=​

For firmware integrity and lifecycle support, procure through authorized channels like [“DP04QSDD-HK9=” link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/). Gray-market modules often lack DSP calibration, causing BER degradation beyond 40 km.


​Strategic Value in Modern Networks​

Having deployed similar coherent optics in tier-1 carrier networks, the ​​DP04QSDD-HK9=​​ excels in scenarios demanding spectral efficiency and operational flexibility. Its +3 dBm transmit power eliminates mid-span EDFA requirements in metro rings, while OpenZR+ compliance mitigates multi-vendor headaches. However, organizations without DWDM expertise may find its programmability overly complex—fixed-configuration DR4 modules remain preferable for plug-and-play deployments. For hyperscalers and CSPs pushing terabit-scale architectures, this module isn’t just an optic; it’s a linchpin of future-proof network design.

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