As data center networks continue to evolve toward 400G and beyond, long-distance DCI deployments are not upgrading at the same pace everywhere. With a large installed base of 100G infrastructure still in operation, 100G ER4 remains a highly relevant solution, bridging current operational needs with future network evolution.
100G ER4 is a high-speed optical transceiver based on the QSFP28 form factor, primarily designed for data center interconnect (DCI) and carrier-grade long-reach transmission scenarios.
100G ER4 typically uses the QSFP28 package and supports an aggregate bandwidth of 100 Gbps. It remains one of the most mature and widely deployed optical module types for 100G long-reach interconnects today.
On the electrical interface side, it uses 4 × 25 Gbps NRZ signals. These four lanes are multiplexed onto a single fiber pair using CWDM (Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing) technology for transmission.
It operates in the 1310 nm wavelength band, with an LC duplex optical interface, which aligns perfectly with the standard cabling practices used in most data centers and telecom networks.
The typical reach is 40 km over single-mode fiber (SMF), making it well-suited for metro-area networks, inter-campus data center interconnects (DCI), and other medium-to-long-distance applications.
It complies with the IEEE 802.3ba standard and offers excellent multi-vendor interoperability, facilitating large-scale deployments.
Leveraging mature NRZ modulation, 100G ER4 delivers stable link performance and controllable power consumption, achieving an excellent balance between performance, reliability, and deployment cost.
Thanks to its proven NRZ modulation technology and strong link budget, 100G ER4 continues to strike a very good balance among reliability, compatibility, and total cost of ownership. It is still widely used today in metro networks, campus-to-campus DCI links, and enterprise networks that have clear requirements for transmission distance.
In long-distance data center interconnect (DCI) scenarios, network design typically focuses on the following key requirements.
First, transmission distance and link stability are critical. Connections between data centers often need to span 10–40 km or even farther, so the optical link must provide a reliable power budget and the ability to maintain long-term stable operation.
Second, bandwidth and latency performance are essential. With the rapid growth of cloud computing, distributed storage, and AI workloads, large volumes of data must be synchronized quickly across different data centers. The network needs to deliver sufficient bandwidth while minimizing transmission latency as much as possible.
At the same time, standardization and interoperability are extremely important. DCI networks are usually built with equipment from multiple vendors, so only optical modules that comply with mainstream standards can enable flexible deployment and large-scale expansion.
Finally, cost and deployment complexity cannot be overlooked. Enterprises prefer solutions that are technically mature, simple to deploy, and have controllable maintenance costs, in order to achieve a good balance between performance and investment.
In data center interconnect (DCI) scenarios—particularly for metro and inter-city mid-range links (typically 20–40 km)—the 100G QSFP28 ER4 (100GBASE-ER4) remains highly competitive in real-world deployments. Although it is no longer the highest-speed option in 2025–2026, its unique combination of cost efficiency and deployment simplicity continues to make it a preferred choice for many DCI networks.
100G ER4 supports up to 40 km transmission over single-mode fiber, enabling reliable interconnection between data centers within the same city or across metropolitan areas—without the need for optical amplifiers or regenerators. Compared to 10 km LR4 solutions, ER4 significantly extends DCI reach, while avoiding the higher cost and complexity associated with coherent optical technologies. This makes it an ideal solution for mainstream 10–40 km DCI links.
With a typical power consumption of only 4–6 W, 100G ER4 operates far more efficiently than coherent transceivers. Lower power draw translates into reduced heat generation, lower cooling requirements, and more favorable long-term operational costs—particularly beneficial for large-scale DCI deployments.
100G ER4 supports direct point-to-point connections and does not require DWDM systems, optical amplifiers, or complex optical-layer planning. Its true plug-and-play nature significantly reduces deployment complexity and overall network design effort, resulting in a lower end-to-end TCO.
Built on the well-established QSFP28 platform, 100G ER4 offers broad compatibility with leading switch vendors, while module pricing has been highly optimized. In the 20–40 km range, it remains one of the most cost-effective DCI solutions in terms of cost per bit, and is particularly well suited for the transition phase from 100G to 400G networks.
In long-haul DCI applications, the core value of 100G ER4 lies in its balanced combination of 40 km reach without regeneration, low power consumption, zero optical-layer complexity, and outstanding cost efficiency. For metro and mid-distance DCI scenarios that do not require capacities beyond 400G and remain within 40 km, 100G ER4 continues to be one of the most practical and economical choices in 2025, especially when total cost of ownership (TCO) is the primary consideration.
100G ER4 (100GBASE-ER4) is primarily deployed in data center interconnect (DCI) scenarios where ultra-high bandwidth is not required, but transmission distances fall within the 10–40 km range. Characterized by simplicity, reliability, low cost, and zero regeneration, it is particularly well suited for the following use cases:
1.Intra-city multi–data center interconnection
2. Regional backbone or metro-area DCI networks
3. Enterprise cross-campus or inter-building data center connectivity
4. Metro transmission upgrades for traditional telecom operators
Across these scenarios, 100G ER4 stands out as a cost-effective DCI solution, delivering stable long-reach performance, low power consumption, and straightforward deployment.
As data center networks continue to evolve toward 400G and 800G, the role of 100G ER4 is shifting from a pure bandwidth upgrade option to a stable and reliable foundational interconnect layer. With a large installed base of 100G infrastructure expected to remain in operation for years to come, 100G ER4 will continue to serve as a primary solution for metro and regional DCI links, supporting business continuity and enabling smooth, incremental network evolution.
At the same time, while 400G/800G high-speed ports are increasingly reserved for AI clusters and core backbone networks, 100G ER4—thanks to its low power consumption, cost efficiency, and mature ecosystem—remains a rational choice for edge data centers, disaster recovery networks, and mixed-speed environments. Rather than being phased out quickly, 100G ER4 will continue to act as a critical bridge between legacy architectures and next-generation high-speed networks, delivering practical value in real-world deployments.
Overall, 100G ER4 is not merely a transitional technology, but a well-balanced and proven solution that optimizes performance, cost, and deployment simplicity. In the coming years, it will continue to play a vital role in metro and regional DCI networks, providing a stable and cost-effective foundation while enabling a smooth migration toward higher-speed architectures.
