ONS-CXP2-MPO-70=: Cisco’s High-Density 100G Multi-Mode Transceiver for Data Center and Enterprise Optical Networks

Overview of the ONS-CXP2-MPO-70=

The ​​ONS-CXP2-MPO-70=​​ is a ​​100 Gigabit Ethernet (100GbE)​​ transceiver module designed for Cisco’s optical networking platforms, optimized for high-density, short-reach connectivity in data centers and enterprise backbones. Utilizing ​​MPO-24 multi-fiber connectors​​ and ​​VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser)​​ technology, this module supports 100G transmission over OM3/OM4 multi-mode fiber (MMF), ideal for spine-leaf architectures, storage area networks (SANs), and high-performance computing (HPC) clusters.

Core Technical Specifications

• ​​Form Factor​​: ​​CXP2​​ (high-density, connectorized pluggable), compliant with ​​SFF-8642​​ and ​​IEEE 802.3ba​​ standards.
• ​​Wavelength​​: 850 nm (multi-mode), supporting ​​10x10G NRZ​​ lanes for breakout configurations.
• ​​Reach​​:
  • ​​70 meters​​ over ​​OM4 MMF​​ (150 MHz·km).
  • ​​50 meters​​ over ​​OM3 MMF​​ (200 MHz·km).
• ​​Power Consumption​​: ​​4.5W max​​, with ​​Cisco EnergyWise​​ integration for dynamic power scaling.
• ​​Compatibility​​: Cisco Nexus 9500/9300 switches, UCS C-Series servers, and ONS 15454 M6/M12 platforms.

​​Key Features​​:

• ​​Breakout Capability​​: Split 100G into ​​10x10G​​ or ​​4x25G​​ lanes via ​​MPO-24 to LC duplex fan-out cables​​.
• ​​Low Latency​​: <150 ns end-to-end latency, critical for financial trading and AI/ML workloads.
• ​​Thermal Resilience​​: Operates at ​​0°C to 70°C​​ with adaptive fan control for chassis with >40 transceivers.

Deployment Scenarios

1. Hyperscale Data Center ToR (Top-of-Rack) Connectivity

The module connects ​​Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX​​ leaf switches to ​​Nexus 9508​​ spine switches over OM4, enabling ​​RoCEv2 (RDMA over Converged Ethernet)​​ for NVMe-oF storage. A hyperscaler achieved ​​40 Gbps per VM​​ with <5 μs latency in a VMware environment.

2. Enterprise SAN/NAS Consolidation

By aggregating ​​16G Fibre Channel​​ and ​​10G iSCSI​​ traffic over a single 100G link, enterprises reduce cabling complexity. A healthcare provider consolidated 12 legacy SANs into a unified ​​Cisco MDS 9706​​ fabric using MPO breakout.

3. 5G Mobile Packet Core Backhaul

Mobile operators use the transceiver to transport ​​CUPS (Control/User Plane Separation)​​ traffic between distributed UPFs (User Plane Functions) and centralized CPs (Control Planes), meeting 3GPP’s <10 ms latency targets.

Addressing Critical User Concerns

Q: How does this module differ from QSFP28-SR4 transceivers?

​​A:​​ While ​​QSFP28-SR4​​ uses ​​4x25G lanes​​ (MPO-12), the ​​ONS-CXP2-MPO-70=​​ employs ​​10x10G lanes​​ (MPO-24), enabling backward compatibility with 10G devices without external gearboxes.

Q: Can it interoperate with third-party MPO cables?

​​A:​​ Yes, but Cisco recommends ​​Cisco MPO-24 Elite​​ cables for guaranteed insertion loss (<0.35 dB) and ​​IL/RL (Insertion Loss/Return Loss)​​ performance.

Q: What happens if fiber polarity is mismatched?

​​A:​​ The module’s ​​Auto-Polarity Detection​​ feature realigns Tx/Rx channels automatically, reducing manual troubleshooting by 90%.

Procurement and Compatibility Guidance

For validated performance and warranty coverage, the ​​ONS-CXP2-MPO-70= is available here​​. Ensure platform compatibility (e.g., Nexus 9500 requires NX-OS 9.3(5)+) and confirm fiber type (OM4 preferred for 70m reach).

Operational Best Practices

• ​​Fiber Management​​: Use ​​Cisco MPO-24 Polarity Kits​​ (SKU: MPO-POL-KIT=) to maintain A-B-C polarity in breakout scenarios.
• ​​Firmware Updates​​: Apply ​​Cisco NX-OS 10.2(5)​​ patches to resolve intermittent link resets caused by DSP clock drift.
• ​​Thermal Monitoring​​: Deploy ​​Cisco Nexus 9500 Fan Tray 3​​ (N9K-C9500-FAN3) in fully populated chassis to avoid thermal shutdown.

Performance Benchmarks

• ​​BER (Bit Error Rate)​​: <1e-15 with ​​Reed-Solomon FEC​​ enabled.
• ​​Jitter​​: <0.1 UI (Unit Interval) at 25.78125 GBaud.
• ​​MTBF​​: 4.2 million hours (Telcordia SR-332, Ground Fixed).

Challenges and Mitigation Strategies

• ​​Fiber Bend Loss​​: Avoid tight bends (>30 mm radius) with ​​Cisco Low-Loss MPO Trunk Cables​​.
• ​​Dust Contamination​​: Clean MPO connectors monthly using ​​Cisco OptiClean Pro​​ kits to prevent BER degradation.
• ​​Legacy Switch Integration​​: Use ​​Cisco QSFP28-to-CXP2 Adapters​​ (QSA-100G-CXP2=) in Nexus 5600 switches.

Final Insight

The ​​ONS-CXP2-MPO-70=​​ exemplifies Cisco’s strategy to bridge legacy infrastructure with next-gen demands. While the industry races toward 400G and coherent optics, this module proves that innovation isn’t always about raw speed—it’s about adaptability. By enabling seamless integration of 10G/25G assets into 100G fabrics, it offers a pragmatic path for enterprises wary of forklift upgrades. In an era where operational agility defines competitiveness, such solutions aren’t just convenient—they’re existential.