The OSFP is a new pluggable form factor with eight high speed electrical lanes that will initially support 400 Gbps (8x50G). It is slightly wider and deeper than the QSFP but it still supports 36 OSFP ports per 1U front panel, enabling 14.4 Tbps per 1U.

This module requires a new Form Factor because 400G Optics require more power than 100G Optics and many of them will not fit into the existing QSFP Form Factor. Depending on the specific 400G Optics Technology the initial power projections range from 7.5 Watt to 15 Watt.

In order to address the thermal requirement, the OSFP has an integrated heat-sink that greatly improves thermal performance and enables modules with up to 15W power in a switch chassis with conventional airflow.

Talking about its compatibility with QSFP, the OSFP is able to meet the projected thermal requirements for 800 Gbps Optics when those systems and optics become available in the future.