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CFP: C Form Factor Pluggable Explained

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This page explains the fundamentals of CFP (C Form Factor Pluggable) and outlines its different types.

Introduction

CFP stands for C Form Factor Pluggable. The “C” in CFP represents the number 100, alluding to 100 Gigabit Ethernet systems.

The CFP is governed by a multi-source agreement (MSA) to ensure a common form factor for the transmission of high-speed digital signals.

The CFP transceiver adheres to specifications agreed upon by various manufacturers. Different CFP types exist, including CFP, CFP2, CFP4, and CFP8.

The table below highlights the differences between these CFP variants:

CFP vs CFP2 vs CFP4 vs CFP8 specifications table