StarTech 455883B21ST 10GBASE-SR SFP+ Transceiver Module for HPE Switches
Overview
The StarTech 455883B21ST is a 10GBASE-SR SFP+ transceiver engineered as a direct compatible replacement for HPE part number 455883-B21. It runs over multi-mode fiber at 850nm and delivers up to 10Gbps full-duplex throughput — the right pick when you need to extend 10GbE links between HPE switches, servers, or storage nodes without paying OEM transceiver pricing. At under 1W power consumption and a rated MTBF of 3,068,049 hours, this module is built for always-on infrastructure environments where reliability matters more than novelty.
The 455883B21ST uses an LC connector interface and supports distances up to 300m over OM3 or OM4 multi-mode fiber — covering most intra-building and campus-level runs between IDF and MDF closets. It conforms to IEEE 802.3ae 10GBASE-SR standards, so it integrates predictably with HPE network environments without requiring firmware tricks or workarounds.
Key Features
- 10GBASE-SR with 300m MMF reach: Covers the full span of most enterprise floor-to-core fiber runs — from access closets to the data center core — without requiring single-mode infrastructure. If your existing MMF plant is OM3 or OM4, this slots right in.
- 850nm VCSEL wavelength: The 850nm transmit wavelength is the standard for short-reach multi-mode 10GbE links, meaning this module works with the same fiber infrastructure already deployed for legacy 1GbE SFP links in most buildings. No re-cabling required in typical upgrades.
- Full-duplex operation at up to 11.1 Gbps line rate: The 11.1 Gbps maximum data rate gives you headroom above the nominal 10GbE line rate for overhead and framing — important in storage and video surveillance backhaul applications where sustained throughput is continuous rather than bursty.
- Under 1W power consumption: At less than 1W draw, you can populate a fully loaded switch without blowing your per-port or aggregate power budget. This matters when you are filling a 24- or 48-port chassis with transceivers — the difference between 1W and 2W per port adds up fast.
- 3.3V DC operation: Standard 3.3V interface voltage means no special power rail considerations in HPE platforms. The module draws power directly from the SFP+ cage without external conditioning.
- MTBF of 3,068,049 hours: That is roughly 350 years mean time between failures — a meaningful figure for infrastructure you install and expect to run without revisiting. Relevant for core switch uplinks, storage fabric interconnects, and video surveillance aggregation switches where a transceiver failure means a link outage.
- Operating temperature range of 0°C to 70°C: Covers standard equipment room and IDF closet environments. Not rated for industrial outdoor enclosures, so plan accordingly if the target switch is in a non-climate-controlled space.
- LC duplex connector: LC is the dominant connector type for 10GbE MMF infrastructure. This module mates directly with standard LC patch cables — no adapters, no special assemblies needed.
- IEEE 802.3ae compliant: Conformance to the 10GBASE-SR clause of IEEE 802.3ae ensures interoperability at the physical layer, reducing integration risk in mixed-vendor environments where the HPE switch may connect to non-HPE upstream devices.
Integration and Compatibility
The 455883B21ST is designed as a direct compatible replacement for HPE original part 455883-B21. It is intended for HPE ProCurve and HPE FlexFabric switch platforms that accept the 455883-B21 OEM transceiver. Before deploying in HPE Intelligent Resilient Framework (IRF) stacking configurations or in HPE switches running firmware that enforces transceiver authentication, verify that your specific platform and firmware version accept third-party SFP+ modules. Some HPE platform generations issue log warnings with non-OEM transceivers but pass traffic normally; others may require a CLI override to enable the port. Check your switch release notes before deployment if this is a concern.
The module connects via LC duplex fiber patch cables to any standard 10GbE MMF infrastructure. For deployments aggregating IP camera feeds or connecting network video recorders to core switching, the 300m reach and sub-1W draw make this a practical choice for in-building fiber runs. Pair with a compatible PoE network switch uplink port or managed network switch SFP+ cage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the StarTech 455883B21ST compatible with HPE ProCurve and FlexFabric switches?
A: The 455883B21ST is engineered as a direct compatible replacement for HPE OEM part 455883-B21 and is designed to work in HPE switch platforms that accept that transceiver. Some HPE firmware versions may log a warning for non-OEM modules — check your specific switch's release notes for third-party transceiver support details before installation.
Q: What fiber type and connector does the 455883B21ST require?
A: It requires multi-mode fiber (OM3 or OM4 recommended for full 300m reach) terminated with LC duplex connectors. Standard LC MMF patch cables are all you need — no adapters or special assemblies.
Q: What is the maximum distance supported by the 455883B21ST?
A: The rated maximum transfer distance is 300 meters over multi-mode fiber. This covers most intra-building and short campus fiber runs between IDF closets and a central data center or MDF.
Q: How much power does the 455883B21ST consume?
A: Power consumption is rated at less than 1W, making it one of the lower-draw options in the 10GbE SFP+ class. It operates on a standard 3.3V DC interface from the host switch's SFP+ cage.
Q: What is the operating temperature range of the 455883B21ST?
A: Operating temperature is 0°C to 70°C, suitable for standard equipment rooms and IDF closets. Storage temperature range is wider at -40°C to 85°C. This module is not rated for uncontrolled outdoor or industrial thermal environments.
Q: What industry standards does the 455883B21ST conform to?
A: The module conforms to IEEE 802.3ae 10GBASE-SR, the governing standard for 10 Gigabit Ethernet over short-reach multi-mode fiber. Full-duplex operation is standard at this specification.
The spec I keep coming back to on the 455883B21ST is the MTBF of 3,068,049 hours. In a 10GbE uplink role — aggregating camera feeds from a surveillance switch or serving as a server-to-core link in a production environment — you want that link to stay up without a scheduled transceiver swap every few years. That rated reliability figure is what separates a module you can deploy and forget from one you are watching with a replacement on the shelf.
Technical Highlights:
- 11.1 Gbps maximum data rate: The overhead above 10GbE nominal means the link handles framing and protocol overhead without throttling under sustained loads — relevant for NVR-to-switch uplinks pushing continuous high-bitrate streams from multiple cameras simultaneously.
- Sub-1W power draw at 3.3V DC: In a fully populated 48-port switch, the difference between 0.9W and 2W per SFP+ port is nearly 50W of aggregate draw. At scale, that affects both your UPS sizing and your rack cooling budget in ways that add up quickly.
- 300m MMF reach at 850nm: Covers the realistic fiber span in 90% of multi-story enterprise buildings using existing OM3 or OM4 plant — no new fiber pulls, no mode conditioning, no single-mode infrastructure investment.
Deployment Considerations:
- Verify your target HPE switch's firmware version and its behavior with third-party SFP+ modules before bulk deployment. Some HPE platforms pass traffic without issue but log alerts that fill your syslog — worth testing one unit in your environment first.
- The 0°C to 70°C operating range is a hard limit. If the switch is in a non-climate-controlled comms room or outdoor cabinet, this module is not the right fit — look for an industrial-grade variant with an extended temperature rating.
For an HPE-based enterprise LAN where you are connecting surveillance aggregation switches or NVR uplinks to the core over existing MMF runs of 300m or less, the 455883B21ST is a practical, low-power, high-reliability choice that avoids the OEM premium without introducing meaningful integration risk on standard HPE platforms.
