In 2026, selecting the right SFP cage manufacturer is no longer just a component-level decision—it directly impacts product scalability, lifecycle planning, and supply chain resilience. This article provides a practical overview of five widely recognized SFP cage manufacturers—TE Connectivity, Amphenol, GLGNET, Molex, and Samtec—highlighting their strengths, design focus, and typical application scenarios to support informed supplier selection.
|
Manufacturer |
Founded |
Core Strength |
SFP Cage Focus |
Typical Applications |
|
TE Connectivity |
1941 |
Global interconnect leader with strong manufacturing and supply stability |
High EMI shielding, robust mechanical design, single and ganged SFP cage options |
Data center switches, enterprise networking equipment |
|
Amphenol |
1932 |
Large-scale interconnect supplier with strong telecom and data center presence |
Press-fit and soldered cages, focus on durability and EMI control |
Telecom equipment, enterprise networks, storage systems |
|
GLGNET |
2003 |
Network connector specialist with cost-efficient and compatible solutions |
Industry-standard SFP cages with EMI options and flexible assembly |
Network switches, routers, OEM/ODM platforms |
|
Molex |
1938 |
Established global supplier with strong engineering consistency |
Complete SFP/SFP+ cage systems with balanced signal and thermal design |
Data center servers, switches, storage systems |
|
Samtec |
1976 |
High-speed interconnect expert with strong engineering support |
Flexible termination options, multi-port and panel-mount SFP cages |
High-speed networking, computing platforms |
Founded
1941 (originated from AMP, later developed into TE Connectivity)
TE Connectivity is a global leader in interconnect solutions, offering a broad portfolio that spans high-speed I/O, board-level connectors, cable assemblies, and system interconnect solutions. With decades of experience supporting large-scale deployments in data communication and enterprise networking, the company is known for mature manufacturing processes and well-established quality systems.
TE’s SFP connector cage portfolio supports SFP, SFP+ cage, and SFP28 interfaces and is designed for high-speed, high-density networking platforms. The cage designs place a strong emphasis on EMI shielding performance and mechanical robustness, helping preserve signal integrity and long-term reliability in demanding operating environments.
Both single-port and ganged SFP cage configurations are available to support dense front-panel layouts, with options for light pipe integration and thermal enhancements to better align with system airflow design and status indication requirements.
Data center core and aggregation switches
High-end enterprise networking equipment
Platforms requiring long lifecycle support, high reliability, and supply consistency
Founded
1932
Amphenol is one of the world’s largest interconnect solution providers, with a strong presence across telecommunications, data centers, industrial systems, and storage infrastructure. Its products are widely deployed in long-running systems where stability, durability, and consistency are essential.
Amphenol offers SFP connector cage solutions with both press-fit and soldered mounting options, providing flexibility for different PCB designs and manufacturing processes. The cage structures are engineered for effective EMI control and high insertion durability, making them well suited for equipment expected to operate continuously over extended periods.
A consistent product roadmap enables smooth platform transitions from SFP to SFP+ cage and SFP28, which is particularly valuable for designs that require multi-generation compatibility and long-term support.
Telecom-grade switching and transmission equipment
Enterprise networking and storage systems
Long-term platforms requiring standards compliance and design continuity
Founded
2003
GLGNET focuses on network and communication connectors, with solid in-house manufacturing experience across SFP cages, RJ45 connectors, and related interconnect products. The company emphasizes industry compatibility, stable mass production, and cost efficiency, making it a practical supplier for ODMs and equipment manufacturers operating at scale.
Its product strategy is oriented toward mainstream network architectures, allowing GLGNET to support both new designs and existing platforms with consistent quality and predictable lead times.
GLGNET’s SFP cage designs follow industry-standard interface specifications, ensuring broad compatibility with mainstream SFP, SFP+, and SFP28 modules used in networking equipment.
Multiple cage variants are available, including options with EMI springs or integrated shielding structures, helping address common electromagnetic interference challenges in dense port environments.
Support for press-fit assembly enables efficient PCB integration and simplifies drop-in replacement for existing designs, which is particularly valuable for platform upgrades or second-source qualification. Overall, the product line maintains a balanced approach to performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost control, aligning well with volume-driven projects.
Network switches and routers
Data communication and storage equipment
OEM/ODM projects with strong requirements for cost efficiency, lead time control, and drop-in compatibility
Founded
1938
Molex is a globally recognized interconnect solution provider with long-standing expertise in high-speed data communication, server, and storage systems. Its overall approach emphasizes system-level reliability, repeatability, and disciplined engineering practices.
Molex offers complete SFP and SFP+ cage and connector system solutions, designed to balance signal integrity, EMI suppression, and thermal performance.
Clearly defined material selections and mechanical specifications support detailed thermal analysis and reliability evaluation, which is especially important for platforms undergoing strict engineering validation and qualification processes.
Data center servers and switching equipment
Enterprise storage systems
Platforms requiring comprehensive documentation, validation, and long-term supply assurance
Founded
1976
Samtec is well known for its expertise in high-speed interconnect technology and strong engineering support capabilities. The company is frequently selected for designs where signal integrity, design flexibility, and rapid development cycles are key priorities.
Samtec’s SFP cage offerings support multiple termination options, including press-fit and soldered styles, allowing adaptation to a wide range of PCB and mechanical layouts.
Options for multi-port and panel-mount configurations, combined with a focus on EMI protection and high-speed signal stability, make these cages suitable for performance-driven applications. The overall design-in process is efficient, aligning well with fast-paced product development and iteration cycles.
High-speed switching and computing platforms
Customized or premium networking equipment
Projects sensitive to design flexibility and time-to-market
GLGNET stands out for its strong alignment with real-world network equipment development and deployment requirements. Rather than over-engineering products for a limited set of use cases, GLGNET focuses on delivering SFP cage solutions that are practical, adaptable, and easy to deploy across a wide range of platforms. This approach helps engineering teams reduce unnecessary design complexity while maintaining dependable electrical and mechanical performance.
Another key advantage is GLGNET’s ability to support platform evolution and second-source strategies. Its SFP cage designs are well suited for system upgrades, capacity expansion, and alternative sourcing scenarios, allowing manufacturers to maintain flexibility throughout a product’s lifecycle. Combined with consistent production quality and responsive manufacturing support, GLGNET enables customers to move from design to volume deployment with fewer integration risks and smoother production ramp-up.
Choosing the right SFP cage supplier depends on the overall project priorities rather than specifications alone. For high-volume network equipment, factors such as module compatibility, ease of integration, manufacturability, and supply continuity often matter as much as raw performance.
Projects with strict cost targets or aggressive timelines benefit from suppliers that offer drop-in compatibility and flexible production support, while long-lifecycle platforms may prioritize consistent quality and roadmap stability. In practice, many manufacturers evaluate suppliers not only on product performance, but also on how well they support platform upgrades, second-source qualification, and long-term production planning. Aligning the supplier’s strengths with the specific needs of the project is key to achieving a stable and scalable design.
Read more:
https://www.glgnet.biz/articledetail/what-are-sfp-ports-used-for.html
Conclusion
There is no single “best” SFP cage supplier for every project. Each manufacturer discussed in this overview brings distinct strengths, whether in global supply stability, engineering rigor, cost efficiency, or design flexibility. The right choice depends on how well a supplier’s capabilities align with the specific technical, manufacturing, and lifecycle requirements of a given platform.