Cisco - QSFP+ transceiver module - 40GbE, 100GbE - 40GBASE-BiDi, 100GBASE-BiDi - LC multi-mode - up to 100 m - for Mellanox ConnectX-5 Ex EN

Product Overview

AI-generated summary

At £1,358.77 ex-VAT, this is very much in “keep it running” territory rather than “cheap upgrade” territory. The key detail is it’s a BiDi optic for LC multi‑mode designed specifically for Mellanox ConnectX‑5 Ex by Cisco Enterprise Networking, so you’re not looking at a generic fit-anything transceiver. If you’ve already got that exact platform and you need a like-for-like replacement, it can be sensible—BiDi is a clean solution for those structured multi‑mode short-reach links (your stated reach is in the right ballpark), and OEM optics tend to be reliable in the way that reduces late-night support calls. For UK B2B networks where reliability and compatibility are worth more than saving a few quid, this is the kind of purchase that makes sense.

That said, I’d only buy it if you can confidently confirm compatibility at the software/firmware + optics level for your specific ConnectX‑5 configuration. If you’re planning to use it in a different switch/SFP cage type, or you don’t have a clear bill of materials, it’s easy to waste money on “it should work” optics. Also, for something this expensive, I’d ask whether you actually need BiDi multi‑mode over the alternatives you already have in place—if you can standardise on cheaper, widely stocked optics in your estate, you’ll get better long-term value. Bottom line: buy if it’s a precise replacement for known working gear; don’t buy if you’re guessing, expanding into new platforms, or trying to squeeze cost out of optics.