StarTech JL484A-ST 25GBase-SR SFP28 Transceiver Module for HPE Switches

Overview

The StarTech JL484A-ST is a 25GBase-SR SFP28 transceiver module designed as a drop-in compatible replacement for HPE switches requiring 25 Gbps multimode fiber connectivity. Running at 25.78 Gbps full-duplex over OM3/OM4 multimode fiber, it covers runs up to 100m (328 ft) — enough to span most data center floors, IDF-to-MDF trunks, and server-to-TOR switch uplinks without pulling single-mode fiber or investing in longer-reach optics. If you are speccing out 25G uplinks for StarTech network infrastructure or replacing OEM HPE optics at lower cost, the JL484A-ST is built to that spec.

The module uses an 850nm VCSEL transmitter and connects via LC Duplex on the fiber side, slotting into any standard SFP28 port on the host side. It draws under 1.2W, so it will not push your switch's thermal or power budget on dense line cards. With an MTBF rating of over 4 million hours at 55°C, this is a transceiver you install and forget about — not one you track as a consumable.

Key Features

• 25.78 Gbps Full-Duplex Throughput: Meets IEEE 802.3by 25GBase-SR, delivering the full 25G line rate in both directions simultaneously. Relevant for 25G network switch uplinks where half-duplex would create asymmetric bottlenecks on storage or backup traffic.
• 100m Multimode Reach: Covers 100m over OM3 or OM4 fiber — sufficient for virtually all within-building and campus data center runs. If your run exceeds 100m or uses single-mode plant, this module is not the right pick; you would need a 25GBase-LR or ER variant instead.
• 850nm VCSEL Wavelength: Standard 850nm matches the absorption window of OM3/OM4 glass, maximizing bandwidth-distance product on your existing multimode infrastructure. No need to re-pull fiber if you are already on OM4.
• Sub-1.2W Power Draw: At under 1.2W per module, even a fully populated 32-port line card adds less than 40W from optics alone. Thermal management stays predictable, and you are not carving into port-level power allocations that a PoE switch might need elsewhere.
• MTBF of 4,020,594 Hours at 55°C: That works out to roughly 459 years of calculated mean time between failures at elevated temperature — a figure that matters for uptime-sensitive deployments where swapping a failed optic mid-shift causes downstream outages.
• 0°C to 70°C Operating Range: Covers standard commercial data center environments. Not rated for extended-temperature deployments (below 0°C or above 70°C), so plan accordingly if the switch is in an unheated IDF closet in a cold climate.
• LC Duplex Fiber Interface: LC Duplex is the dominant connector type in modern structured cabling, so patching into existing fiber panels is straightforward — no adapters, no re-termination.
• Lifetime Warranty: StarTech backs the JL484A-ST with a lifetime warranty, which eliminates the risk typically associated with third-party optics. OEM HPE optics carry a limited hardware warranty; the lifetime coverage here is a meaningful differentiator for multi-year refresh cycles. For guidance on choosing the right SFP transceiver, consider your fiber type, distance, and host compatibility before ordering.

Integration and Compatibility

The JL484A-ST (often searched as JL484A ST) is coded to HPE switch compatibility — it presents the correct vendor ID and part number string that HPE Comware and ArubaOS-based platforms expect during optical module validation. This means you should not encounter the unsupported transceiver warnings that uncoded third-party optics can trigger on HPE gear. That said, always verify against your specific switch model and firmware revision before deploying in a production environment — HPE periodically updates its approved optics lists with firmware changes.

The module fits any SFP28 slot and is also backward-compatible with SFP+ ports at 10G line rate where the host hardware supports speed negotiation. Pair it with 25G DAC or fiber patch cables sized to your run length for a complete link build-out.

Storage temperature tolerance of -40°C to 85°C means the module survives cold warehouse storage and shipping without degradation to the VCSEL or receiver circuitry — a practical consideration when staging equipment for large deployments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the JL484A-ST compatible with HPE Aruba switches specifically, or only legacy HPE Comware platforms?

A: The JL484A-ST is coded for HPE compatibility, which covers both HPE Comware-based and Aruba-branded switch platforms. However, compatibility can vary by specific switch model and firmware version, so verify against your platform's approved optics list before deploying in production.

Q: What fiber type does the JL484A-ST require?

A: The JL484A-ST operates over multimode fiber (MMF) at 850nm. It is designed for OM3 or OM4 multimode cable with LC Duplex connectors, up to a maximum run length of 100m (328 ft). Single-mode fiber is not compatible with this module.

Q: What is the warranty on the JL484A-ST?

A: StarTech provides a lifetime warranty on the JL484A-ST, covering defects in materials and workmanship for the life of the product.

Q: Can the JL484A-ST operate in an SFP+ (10G) port as well as a 25G SFP28 port?

A: SFP28 modules are physically compatible with SFP+ slots. Whether the link negotiates at 10G depends on the host switch's support for speed auto-negotiation. Check your switch's documentation to confirm whether mixed-rate operation is supported on the specific port.

Q: What is the power consumption of the JL484A-ST, and will it stress my switch's optics power budget?

A: The JL484A-ST draws less than 1.2W, which is well within the per-port power allocation of any current 25G switch platform. Even a fully populated chassis with many SFP28 ports will see minimal thermal impact from these modules.

Q: What operating temperature range does the JL484A-ST support?

A: The module operates from 0°C to 70°C (32°F to 158°F), covering standard commercial data center and office IDF environments. It is not rated for sub-zero or extended-temperature applications.

Jerry Tildsen

The spec I keep coming back to on the JL484A-ST is that MTBF figure — 4,020,594 hours calculated at 55°C. In a data center environment where replacing a failed optic means a maintenance window, a service call, and potential SLA exposure, that number is not just marketing math. It represents a component reliability profile that justifies using a third-party module on uplinks you would otherwise spec OEM for peace of mind.

Technical Highlights:

• 25.78 Gbps Full-Duplex: Runs the full IEEE 802.3by 25GBase-SR line rate bidirectionally — not burst-capable only. Critical for storage replication and backup jobs that saturate uplinks in both directions simultaneously.
• Sub-1.2W Power Draw: Less than 1.2W per module keeps thermal density low on fully populated switch line cards. On a 32-port card, you are looking at under 40W total from optics — predictable enough to model in your power budget without per-port metering.
• 100m MMF Reach: Covers the vast majority of intra-building runs on existing OM3/OM4 plant. If your structured cabling is already multimode LC Duplex, this slots in without any infrastructure changes.

Deployment Considerations:

• The 0°C lower operating limit means this module is not suitable for unheated spaces in cold climates — if your IDF closet drops below freezing seasonally, you need an extended-temperature variant.
• HPE switch firmware updates occasionally revise approved optics tables. Always confirm your current firmware revision accepts third-party SFP28 modules before staging a large quantity deployment — a firmware lock-out discovered post-deployment is expensive to remediate.

The JL484A-ST is the right call for enterprise data center 25G uplink refreshes on HPE platforms where you need to control optics costs across a large switch count without sacrificing reliability or warranty coverage — specifically TOR-to-aggregation and server-to-switch uplinks on OM4 structured cabling runs under 100m.