Brocade 40G Switch ICX 7750-26Q Cabling Solution

The Brocade ICX 7750 is a series of switches which can provide high-availability capabilities and flexible stacking architecture for 10/40G applications. Brocade ICX 7750 series switches are usually used for 10/40G aggregation and core distribution. Brocade ICX 7750-26Q is a member of Brocade ICX 7750 series, which is a 1U high performance switch with up to 32 40G QSFP+ ports (six optional). This post will offer optics and cabling solution for Brocade ICX 7750-26Q switches.

Brocade ICX 7750-26Q transceivers

Basic of Brocade ICX 7750-26Q Switch

The above picture shows a Brocade ICX 7750-26Q switch from FS.COM testing center. On the front panel of Brocade ICX 7750-26Q switch, there are 26 40G QSFP+ ports, ICX 7750-6Q module with 6 40G QSFP+ ports can be added on the rear panel of this switch. Thus up to 32 40G QSFP+ ports can be supplied by Brocade ICX 7750-26Q switch. It can support transmission applications for both 40G to 40G and 40G to 10G.

Brocade ICX 7750-26Q 40G to 40G Applications

Brocade ICX 7750-26Q can support 40G transmission for both short distances and long distances by using different 40G QSFP+ transceivers and fiber optic cables. The following picture shows the cabling methods for 40G point to point connection. Choosing the proper fiber patch cable for two QSFP+ modules, 40G data transmission between two Brocade ICX 7750 switches can be achieved. In this case, two Brocade 40G-QSFP-LR4 compatible transceivers and a length of LC to LC duplex single-mode fiber patch cable are being used.

brocade-icx7750 40G connection

Brocade compatible QSFP+ to QSFP+ direct attach cables including (direct attach copper cables and active optical cables) are cost-effective alternatives for Brocade ICX 7750-26Q 40G connections in short distances.

Brocade 40G-QSFP-QSFP-AOC

Brocade ICX 7750-26Q 40G to 10G Applications

As mentioned Brocade ICX 7750-26Q switch can also support 40G to 10G applications. A 40G QSFP+ port can be splitted into four 10G SFP+ ports, which can achieve transmission between 10G and 40G. There is a wide selection of Brocade ICX 7750-26Q switch 40G to 10G connections. Fanout assemblies play an important role to support these connections.

brocade-icx7750 40G connection

The above picture shows the commonly used connection methods for Brocade ICX 7750-26Q 40G to 10G connections. In this case, Brocade QSFP-40G-PLRL4 compatible transceiver is being used one the Brocade ICX 7750-26Q side. A length of MTP to four duplex LC breakout cable is being used to connect Brocade QSFP-40G-PLRL4 with four 10G SFP+ transceivers inserted in several 10G switches on the opposite side. Also, QSFP+ to SFP+ DACs and AOCs can also be used.

Brocade 40G-QSFP-SR4

Brocade ICX 7750-26Q Fiber Optic Transceivers and Cabling Solutions

Brocade ICX 7750-26Q switch provides flexible and high density networking environments. This post only provides the optics and cabling solution for Brocade ICX 7750-26Q switch. The following table listed the Brocade ICX 7750-26Q compatible transceivers and cables for you references. Kindly visit FS.COM Transceiver modules for BROCADE ICX 7750 page for more details about Brocade ICX 7750 series switches, if you are interested.

Brocade Compatible Modules Description
40G-QSFP-LR4 40GBASE-LR4 QSFP+ optic (LC), for up to 10 km over SMF
QSFP-40G-PLRL4 40GBASE-PLRL4 QSFP+ (MTP/MPO), 1km over SMF,
40G-QSFP-SR4 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ optic (MTP), 100 m over MMF
40G-QSFP-SR4-INT 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ optic (MTP), 100 m over MMF, compatible with 10GB BASE-SR
40G-QSFP-QSFP-C-0101 40 GbE direct-attached QSFP+ to QSFP+ active copper cable, 1 m
40G-QSFP-QSFP-C-0301 40 GbE direct-attached QSFP+ to QSFP+ active copper cable, 3 m
40G-QSFP-QSFP-C-0501 40 GbE direct-attached QSFP+ to QSFP+ active copper cable, 5 m
40G-QSFP-QSFP-AOC-0101 40 GbE direct-attached QSFP+ to QSFP+ active optical cable, 1 m
40G-QSFP-QSFP-AOC-0301  40 GbE direct-attached QSFP+ to QSFP+ active optical cable, 3 m
40G-QSFP-QSFP-AOC-0501 40 GbE direct-attached QSFP+ to QSFP+ active optical cable, 5 m
40G-QSFP-4SFP-C-0101 4×10 GbE direct-attached QSFP+ to 4 SFP+ copper breakout cable, 1m
40G-QSFP-4SFP-C-0301 4×10 GbE direct-attached h QSFP+ to 4 SFP+ copper breakout cable, 3m
40G-QSFP-4SFP-C-0501 4×10 GbE direct-attached QSFP+ to 4 SFP+ copper breakout cable, 5m
40G-QSFP-4SFP-AOC-0101  4×10 GbE direct-attached QSFP+ to 4 SFP+ active optical cable, 1m
40G-QSFP-4SFP-AOC-0301 4×10 GbE direct-attached QSFP+ to 4 SFP+ active optical cable, 3m
40G-QSFP-4SFP-AOC-0501  4×10 GbE direct-attached QSFP+ to 4 SFP+ active optical cable, 5m