Techniques are provided for sending and receiving data communications between an enhanced Quad Small Form-Factor Pluggable (QSFP+) transceiver module and an enhanced Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP+) transceiver module. An adapter device is provided that has a first set of signal pins configured to interface with an SFP+ transceiver module and a second set of signal pins is provided that is configured to interface with a QSFP+ host port. A retimer unit is also provided that is configured to modify a 10G signal of a first electrical signal standard associated with the SFP+ transceiver module to a 10G signal of a second electrical standard associated with a QSFP+ transceiver module and to enhance a 10G signal of the second electrical signal standard to a 10G signal of the first electrical signal standard.