A multicage small form-factor pluggable (SFP) unit comprises a front portion, and a plurality of cages mounted to a rearward side of the front portion. An actuator may emerge from the front portion, for disengaging the plurality of cages from a chassis upon upward movement of the actuator. One or more external connectors may be mounted to a front panel of the front portion. One or more rear connectors may be mounted to a back panel of at least one of the cages, for connecting to a backplane. At least one of the cages may comprise one or more processing modules. Various combinations of internal connections may be implemented between the external connectors if any, the rear connectors if any, and the processing modules if any. The multicage SFP unit may for example comprise two, three or four cages arranged in a horizontal row.