Ethernet Switch Port Types: A Complete Guide

Ethernet switch ports come in various types, each for a specific purpose. This guide will explore Ethernet Switch port definition, the different types of Ethernet Switch Ports, and what they’re used for. I hope it will help you better understand their differences and find the Ethernet Switch port type best suited for your needs.

Table of Contents

What is Ethernet Switch Port?
Different Switch Port Types By Network Architecture
Different Ethernet Switch Port Types By Data Speed
Different Ethernet Switch Port Types By Functions
Final Words

What is Ethernet Switch Port?

An Ethernet network switch is a piece of hardware that allows computers to exchange data. It takes physical connections from computers and other network devices before receiving and forwarding data via packet switching. Connecting various devices to network switch ports allows them to communicate via data transfer within the switch. Most networking equipment is also internet-connected, allowing them to connect to the internet through switch ports.

An Ethernet switch port is a physical interface between a switch and a device. Ethernet ports can be found on switches, routers, computers, and other networking devices.

Based on different terms, the Ethernet switch ports can be classified into many different types, which we will explore in the following sections.

Different Switch Port Types By Network Architecture

The core, access, and distribution layers are the three main layers that makeup network architecture. Thankfully, network switches include these sorts as well.

#1 – Access Port

An access port is a switch Ethernet port that connects end devices like PCs, workstations, and servers to the network. The primary purpose of an Ethernet access port is to receive data from and send data to end devices. In Ethernet networks, an access port always belongs to only one Ethernet switch.

#2 – Trunk Port

A trunk port may communicate with many VLANs and is often connected to another switch. A trunk port controls the data transmission to and from many VLANs on a complicated network. A trunk port can achieve this by identifying frame tags that identify the data’s intended destination. Ethernet frames that carry no tag are automatically forwarded to all VLANs, a process called untagged traffic.

#3 – Hybrid Port

A switch’s hybrid port is a link that allows data transmission to and from one or more VLANs.

It can accept data from one or more VLANs and supports both tagged and untagged VLANs like access ports and trunk ports. The hybrid ports have many characteristics with trunk ports, but they also include extra port configuration features.

Different Ethernet Switch Port Types By Data Speed

Data speed is an incredibly significant issue for Ethernet switch ports, which can commonly vary from 100M to 1G, 10G, 25G, 40G, 100G and 400G. Ethernet switch ports can be classified into many types by data speed, details as below.

*Switch Port Interface (Source: Ethernet Alliance)*

#1 – RJ45 Port

RJ 45, registered jack 45, is the standard Ethernet data port found on switches, network cards, routers, and other devices. This port on a 100/1000BASE switch can be used for server switching in LANs, data centers, and uplinks from desktop switches for broadband applications. Connecting two RJ45 ports on Gigabit switches requires a regular Ethernet cable, such as cat5, cat6, cat6a, or cat8.

#2 – SFP Port

The SFP Port is a tiny hot-swappable interface. Ethernet SFPs had typical rates of 1 Gbit/s, while SONET SFP modules had speeds of up to 2.5 Gbit/s. A gigabit switch may accomplish fiber uplinks across extended distances or short-range copper uplinks (fiber SFP or copper SFP) by adding appropriate SFP modules.

#3 – SFP+ Port

SFP+ port is a plus version of the SFP port, providing 10G Ethernet connectivity in the same tiny form factor. Ethernet SFP+ modules had typical rates of 10 Gbit/s, while Fiber Channel SFP+ modules had typical speeds of up to 8G or 16 Gbit/s. Ethernet SFP+ ports are available on almost all 10G Ethernet switches.

#4 – SFP28 Port

The SFP28 port is an improved version of the SFP+ port. SFP28 shares the same form factor as SFP+ but provides 25Gb/s over a single lane. SFP28 introduces a new networking upgrade path: 10G-25G-100G, an energy-efficient solution to address the increasing demands of next-generation data center networks.

#5 – QSFP+ Port

The quad small form-factor pluggable (QSFP+) port is an improved version of the QSFP port. It features four-channel Gbit/s SFP+ interfaces with a transmission rate of up to 40Gbps. Unlike the SFP+ or SFP28 port, it supports a max 40Gbps over 4x10G lane or 56Gbps over 4x14G lane. Most high-speed data centers switch have built-in QSFP+ ports.

#6 – QSFP28 Port

Seems like the QSFP+ port is not enough for the data-hungry Ethernet applications; the QSFP28 port comes to fill this gap. QSFP28 is an enhanced version of the QSFP+ port, providing up to 4x25G Ethernet connectivity in the same form factor. Compared with the previous generation QSFP+ port, the Ethernet QSFP28 port has a lot of advantages, such as small size, lower bit cost, and higher density.

#7 – CFP Port

The C form-factor pluggable (CFP) is a hot-swappable Ethernet optical module designed for 40G or 100G Ethernet applications. It generally comes in two different types: the CFP2 and CFP4. CFP2 provides a smaller size when compared with CFP4 but with the same Ethernet performance. CFP4 offers the smallest size in the Ethernet CFP form factor.

#8 – QSFP-DD Port

QSFP-DD, also called QSFP56-DD, is the newest Ethernet port type in the market. It supports Ethernet data rates of up to 400Gbps over 8x50G lanes and provides double the density of QSFP28 ports. Ethernet switches with built-in QSFP-DD ports are ideal for hyper-scale data centers and high-performance computing applications.

#9 – SFP-DD Port

The SFP-DD, Small Form Factor Pluggable Double Density, is a next-generation port type that supports Ethernet data rates of up to 100Gbps over 2x50G lanes. An SFP-DD switch port can effectively double port density in high-speed network applications.

The SFP-DD interface boosts port density and scalability in next-generation servers. The SFP-DD electrical interface extends on the commonly used SFP pluggable form factor, increasing speed and density. The SFP-DD port is backward compatible with legacy fiber SFP+ and SFP+ DAC cables and SFP+ AOCs.

Very few Ethernet switches in the market currently have built-in SFP-DD ports. Ethernet switch manufacturers are expected to add support for SFP-DD ports shortly.

#10 – OSFP Port

The OSFP, Octal Small Form-Factor Pluggable, is a next-generation Ethernet port type that supports Ethernet data rates of up to 400Gbps over 8x50G lanes. Ethernet switches with built-in OSFP ports are ideal for hyper-scale data centers and high-performance computing applications.

Different Ethernet Switch Port Types By Functions

Functions are another critical consideration for Ethernet switch port types. The Ethernet Switch Port can be divided into three types based on the functions.

#1 – PoE Port

The power over Ethernet, often known as PoE, switch port is capable of transmitting data and power through a single connection. It provides power in two different standard forms: IEEE 802.af (which provides power up to 15.4 watts on an Ethernet switch port) and IEEE 802.3at (which delivers power up to 30 watts on an Ethernet switch port). On the other hand, the power would diminish in direct proportion to the increase in distance.

Power over Ethernet (PoE) switch ports may send data and power over a single cable. It provides power in two standard formats: IEEE 802.af (up to 15.4 watts on an Ethernet switch port) and IEEE 802.3at (delivers power up to 30 watts on an Ethernet switch port). However, when the distance increases, the power is diminished.

#2 – Combo Port

A combo Ethernet switch port can transmit Ethernet data and fiber optical signals. For example, it has an RJ-45 connection and an SFP module connector. It can manage two physical devices while sharing the same switch fabric and port number. The two ports can’t be used simultaneously. Using the SFP port deactivates the comparable copper port and vice versa. Multiple kinds of connectivity may be offered without using unused switch fabric, allowing customers to construct their switch for unique application needs.

#3 – Stack Port

A stack port is a switch’s specific functional port. It connects additional stackable network switches of the same kind to function as a single stackable switch. It can be an uplink port; however, certain network switches may have a specialized stacking port. It is a low-cost, flexible option that is favored for long-distance connections.

Final Words

Ethernet switch ports are designed to accommodate different Ethernet technologies. When choosing an Ethernet switch, you should consider the Ethernet port types that best meet your needs. Ethernet switch manufacturers offer a wide variety of port types on their Ethernet switches.

This guide should give you a better understanding of the different Ethernet switch port types and help you make a more informed decision when choosing an Ethernet switch and optical transceiver for your network.

Now I would like to hear from you:

What Ethernet switch port type are you using in your network?
Do you think Ethernet switch port types will become more standardized?
Or do you believe which switch port will become the most popular?
Are there any missed port types in this guide?

Let me know by leaving a comment below.

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