The Intel SPTSLP2SLCDF is a 100G DR QSFP28 transceiver specified for up to 500 m over single-mode fiber, with an LC optical connector. Its notable design detail, reported in ServeTheHome’s teardown, is that it accepts four 25G NRZ electrical lanes and converts them into one 100G PAM4 optical lane. That makes it a specialized optic rather than a universal substitute for other 100G modules.
What the Intel SPTSLP2SLCDF is
Intel identifies the exact part number SPTSLP2SLCDF as a 100G DR QSFP28 optical transceiver. Its product brief specifies an LC connector and a 500 m reach over single-mode fiber. The “DR1” designation and 1311 nm wording appear in the ServeTheHome article title; for the product’s documented reach and fiber interface, see Intel’s product brief.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
QSFP28 describes the module form factor and host-side interface, but does not by itself establish that a module will work in a particular switch. Confirm that the platform supports this exact part or its coding, and validate the fiber plant, link design, and patch-cable requirements with the equipment vendor.
Why the electrical-to-optical conversion is interesting
ServeTheHome’s inspection reports NRZ signaling on the module’s QSFP28 electrical side and PAM4 on the optical side. The article identifies an Inphi IN010C25 Alcor DSP, described as converting four 25G NRZ electrical lanes into one 100G PAM4 optical lane. Inphi has since been acquired by Marvell. These are teardown observations reported by ServeTheHome, not an independently repeated bill-of-materials verification.
#1 Best Overall
- Fully Compatible with Mellanox MMA1B00-C100D
- Hot Pluggable QSFP28 Optical Transceiver, 103.1 Gbps Data Rate
- 100GBASE-SR4 100G Ethernet, Multimode Fiber (MMF)
- Up to 100m Reach over OM4 MMF, 70m over OM3, MPO/MTP Connector
- LIFETIME WARRANTY
The conversion explains how this module can use four lower-rate electrical lanes at its host connection while sending a single higher-capacity optical lane. It is a description of the reported design, not a claim that the module is compatible with every host exposing a QSFP28 port.
How DR compares with Intel’s FR and LR variants
Intel’s family specification page lists different reaches for its DR, FR, and LR variants. Intel’s product brief specifies 500 m for this exact DR product. Match the reach to the link distance and confirm the exact SKU and host support before choosing among them.
Rank #2
- 📡10M(32.81ft)-6PACK, OM4 LC-LC Fiber Patch Cable Multimode 40/100Gb is designed for high density applications in gigabit ethernet, fiber channel, local area networks, data center, premise installation, wide area networks, commercial and so on, ideal for connecting 40G BIDI SR, 10G SR, QSFP+, SFP+ transceivers etc. for 10G/40G/100G Ethernet connections and is the preferred fiber specification for 40G/100G applications.
- 📡Maximum Transmission Distance - 1Gb Ethernet Distance of 550Meters at 850nm; 10Gb Ethernet Distance of 300Meters at 850nm; 40Gb Ethernet Distance of 300Meters at 850/nm; 100Gb Ethernet Distance of 200Meters at 850nm. Bandwidth is 2000 MHz·km @850nm.
- 📡7.5mm Minimum Bend Radius - High Rated 50/125um Fiber and Cladding, which is Insensitive to bending, easy peeling, easy welding, ensures small optical loss and stable transmission (insertion loss≤0.3dB, return loss ≥30dB.), Ideal for SAN network cabinets that require 20 or more bends in the cabinet or high-density installations with cables crammed into an extremely small footprint.
- 📡Construction Design - LSZH environmentally friendly Jacket; Adjustable connector clips allow individual fiber access; Embossed A/B position labels on the duplex clip and jacket tag rings labeled 1 & 2 provide quick identification of Tx and Rx when installing, testing, and troubleshooting equipment connections; UPC polish and Japan made zirconia ceramic ferrules with high return loss, low insertion loss, and low attenuation features, provide precise alignment to ensure the signal integrity.
- FLYPROFiber has been focusing on fiber optics for 15 years. Each cable is tested in the factory to meet quality control and insertion loss requirements, providing customers with high-quality products. We also have a professional customer service team. If you have any questions, please contact us promptly.
| Variant | Specified reach | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| DR (SPTSLP2SLCDF) | 500 m, per the Intel product brief | Exact part number, platform support, single-mode fiber and LC interface |
| FR | 2 km, listed on Intel’s family specification page | Exact FR SKU and its product documentation; do not assume DR-specific details apply |
| LR | 10 km, listed on Intel’s family specification page | Exact LR SKU and its product documentation; do not assume DR-specific details apply |
Sources: Intel family specifications and Intel product brief. The family page also lists features such as FEC support, a maximum 4.5 W power figure, 0–70°C operating temperature, and SFF-8636 I²C diagnostics. Because that page covers the product family, verify the exact variant’s documentation rather than treating every listed feature as confirmed for SPTSLP2SLCDF.
Recommended Free Tools
Connector, fiber, and compatibility checks
The documented optical interface is LC over single-mode fiber. A third-party description of the 100GBASE-DR QSFP28 category likewise describes a 1310 nm PAM4 lane over duplex single-mode fiber for up to 500 m, but that is category context, not proof of Intel-specific compatibility: EDGE Optical Solutions’ category example.
Rank #3
- What You Get: 2pcs Gigabit Multi-Mode Ethernet SFP Slot media converters; 2pcs SFP BiDi LC Dual Multi-Mode transceiver; 2pcs AC/DC Power Supply; 1 x User’s Manual. Support wide power supply voltage (100V-240V), Power Supply: 5V-1A, UL Certified.
- Fiber Optical Port: 1.25Gbps SFP port, connecting the BiDi Multi-Mode LC Dual transceivers up to 550M(2 SFP LX Transceiver included); Fiber Type: MMF, Cable Type: UTP/STP Cat.5e for 100 meters.
- RJ45 Port: 10M/100M/1000M Auto-negotiation, full Duplex or half Duplex, Auto-negotiation, Supports MDI/MDIX auto-crossover, Complies with IEEE 802.3/802.3u/802.3z/802.3ab.
- Plug & Play: Simply plug in optical port and RJ45 port, and it will work immediatelly. Status LED's for TX, FX LINK/ACT, POWER, FDX to easily monitor network status. Supports jumbo frame size 9K bytes; Supports working temperature range from 0°C to 60°C.
- 【100% Money Guarantee】15 years OEM factory competency, Most efficient technical support with superb processing technology.★Our committed to provide the best product and services to every customer.
- Check the full part number: SPTSLP2SLCDF, not an Intel FR or LR sibling.
- Ask the switch or equipment vendor whether the host accepts this module and whether any vendor coding restrictions apply.
- Confirm that the installed fiber is single-mode and that the LC connection and link design meet the requirements for the route.
- Get the required patch-cable type and length from the equipment vendor or link design; the cited sources do not specify a cable length.
What ServeTheHome’s quick look does—and does not—establish
Patrick Kennedy’s ServeTheHome article is dated February 20, 2026. It says the publisher bought 40 modules for a specific application, needed 32, and sacrificed one for inspection. That account describes the publisher’s project, not general product demand or market availability.
Kennedy’s editorial advice is: “These are fairly specific tools and generally, we would not suggest getting DR1 optics unless you need them.” The practical implication is to choose this optic for a link whose reach, fiber, connector, and host requirements match—not simply because it fits a QSFP28 cage. Read the ServeTheHome quick look and teardown for the inspection details.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 📡1M(3ft), OM4 LC-LC Fiber Optic Patch Cable Multimode 40/100Gb is designed for high density applications in gigabit ethernet, fiber channel, local area networks, data center, premise installation, wide area networks, commercial and so on, ideal for connecting 40G BIDI SR, 10G SR, QSFP+, SFP+ transceivers etc. for 10G/40G/100G Ethernet connections and is the preferred fiber specification for 40G/100G applications.
- 📡Maximum Transmission Distance - 1Gb Ethernet Distance of 550Meters at 850nm; 10Gb Ethernet Distance of 300Meters at 850nm; 40Gb Ethernet Distance of 300Meters at 850/nm; 100Gb Ethernet Distance of 200Meters at 850nm. Bandwidth is 2000 MHz·km @850nm.
- 📡7.5mm Minimum Bend Radius - High Rated 50/125um Fiber and Cladding, which is Insensitive to bending, easy peeling, easy welding, ensures small optical loss and stable transmission (insertion loss≤0.3dB, return loss ≥30dB.), Ideal for SAN network cabinets that require 20 or more bends in the cabinet or high-density installations with cables crammed into an extremely small footprint.
- 📡Construction Design - LSZH environmentally friendly Jacket; Adjustable connector clips allow individual fiber access; Embossed A/B position labels on the duplex clip and jacket tag rings labeled 1 & 2 provide quick identification of Tx and Rx when installing, testing, and troubleshooting equipment connections; UPC polish and Japan made zirconia ceramic ferrules with high return loss, low insertion loss, and low attenuation features, provide precise alignment to ensure the signal integrity.
- FLYPROFiber has been focusing on fiber optics for 15 years. Each cable is tested in the factory to meet quality control and insertion loss requirements, providing customers with high-quality products. We also have a professional customer service team. If you have any questions, please contact us promptly.
Rank #4
- MSA UNCODED SFP TRANSCEIVER: Designed, programmed and tested to work with compatible MSA compliant switches and routers to deliver dependable 100MbE connectivity
- TECHNICAL SPECS: 100BASE-FX | 100Mbps | Multi Mode (MMF) | LC Connector | 1310nm | Digital Diagnostic Monitoring (DDM) | Distances up to 2km (1.2mi)
- TESTED FOR COMPATIBILITY: Hot-swappable in MSA compliant routers and switches; DDM support reports the transceiver's status to most SNMP network management tools.
- WORKS WITH MSA COMPLIANT SWITCHES: Also works with switch models from Ubiquiti, D-Link, Netgear, Supermicro, TP-Link and more that accept uncoded modules.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
