X2 Transceiver Module

Figuring out X2 transceivers is not as difficult as it seems, but it requires knowing all of the facts first. It is known that X2 transceiver is a hot swappable products designed for 10Gbps fiber optic transceiver applications. But in order to have a better understanding of the X2 transceiver module, some detailed information about X2 transceiver will be provided in this article.

Definition
X2 transceiver, based on former XENPAK standards, is the 10G fiber optic transceiver. X2 10Gb transceiver inner function is nearly similar with XENPAK, and X2 also can use one transceiver to satisfy all 10G Ethernet optical port function. Compared to XENPAK, X2 transceiver is more suitable for density installations for its smaller size.

X2 transceiver is a hot pluggable in the Z-direction module that is workable in typical router line card applications, Storage, IP network and LAN and compliant to XENPAK MSA. XENPAK transceiver is a fully integrated 10.3Gbqs optical transceiver module that is made up of 10.3Gbqs optical transmitter and receiver, XAUI interface, Mux and Demux with time and data recovery(CDR).

Standard
X2 transceiver supports 10G Ethernet standard. IEEE ratified 10GbE standards in 2002, it not only enlarges the data transmission rate, but it has greater working distance. IEEE 802.3ae 10GbE standard defined the working distance from 300 meters to 40km. We supply the X2 10G fiber optic transceivers that are fully compatible with equipment from other suppliers.

Components
An X2 transceiver module usually consists of these parts:

① – Transmit optical bore
② – Receive optical bore
③ – Latching sleeve (retracted)
④ – EMI gasket flange
⑤ – Transceiver heat sink
⑥ – Module connector
⑦ – Latch (extended)
⑧ – Latching sleeve (extended)
⑨ – Latch (retracted)

Cisco 10GBASE X2 Transceiver Module
Cisco 10GBASE X2 transceiver is the most commonly used in the market, which is available in eight different formats including CX4, T, SR, LRM, LR, LR4, ZR and ER. Each version has a different distance that it will transmit a signal. For instance, The LR model will transmit for 10km. The ER will transmit 40 km, and ZR will transmit for 80 km on single mode fiber. The distance you choose will depend on your needs.

Main features of Cisco 10GBASE X2 modules include:
● Support 10GBASE Ethernet
● Hot-swappable input/output device plugs into an Ethernet X2 port of a Cisco switch or router to link the port with the network
● Provides flexibility of interface choice
● Supports “pay-as-you-populate” model
● Supports the Cisco quality identification (ID) feature that enables a Cisco switch or router to identify whether the module is certified and tested by Cisco
● Has optical interoperability with respective 10GBASE XENPAK, 10GBASE XFP and 10GBASE SFP+ modules on the same link

Cisco X2-10GB-LR
Cisco X2-10GB-LR is one of the Cisco 10GBASE X2 Transceiver Modules. It is a single mode 10GB transceiver, its max working distance is 10km. Cisco X2-10GB-LR is compliant with 10GBASE-LR standard. The X2-10GB-LR is a highly integrated, serial optical transponder module for high-speed, 10Gbps data transmission applications. It can achieve 4×3.125Gbps Ethernet signal input by XAUI (Auxiliary Unit Interface) interface. X2-10GB-LR is designed for 10km transmission using a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). This X2 10GB transceiver Digital diagnostics functions are available using a 2-wire serial interface. The following image shows a compatible Cisco X2-10GB-LR.

Fiberstore Transceiver Solution
Besides Cisco 10BASE X2 transceiver module, Fiberstore offers SFP+ transceiver, X2 transceiver, XENPAK transceiver, XFP transceiver, SFP transceiver, GBIC transceiver, CWDM/DWDM transceiver, 40G QSFP+ & CFP, 3G-SDI video SFP, WDM Bi-Directional transceiver and PON transceiver with competitive price and high quality, which are fully best with equipment from other suppliers such as Cisco, Juniper and so on. For more information, please see: www.fiber-optic-solutions.com

Introduction to Cisco X2-10GB-LR and X2-10GB-LRM

Cisco 10GBASE X2 module offers a wide variety of 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity options for data center, enterprise wiring closet, and service provider transport applications. Today’s text will be focused on two commonly used Cisco 10GBASE X2 transceivers—Cisco X2-10GB-LR and X2-10GB-LRM.

Description of X2 Transceiver
Before we come to the main part of this text, let’s talk about the X2 transceiver first. X2 transceiver is a hot swappable products designed for 10Gbps fiber optic transceiver applications, which is the successor to the former XENPAK standards. X2 transceiver’s inner function is nearly the same as XENPAK. They are both supporting SC connector. But X2 can use one transceiver to fulfill all 10G Ethernet optical port function. Compared to XENPAK, X2 transceiver is more suitable for density installations for its smaller size.

Cisco X2 transceiver is the most famous X2 transceiver brand in the telecommunication field. Cisco X2 transceiver supports Ethernet, Sonnet/SDH and Fibre Channel applications across all Cisco switching and routing platforms.

What Is Cisco X2-10GB-LR?
Cisco X2-10GB-LR is single-mode 10GB transceiver working together 1310 nm, its max working distance is 10km. It is compliant with 10GBASE-LR standard. The X2-10GB-LR is a highly integrated, serial optical transponder module for high-speed, 10Gbps data transmission applications. It can achieve 4×3.125Gbps Ethernet signal input by XAUI (Auxiliary Unit Interface) interface. X2-10GB-LR is designed for 10km transmission using a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). This X2 10GB transceiver Digital diagnostics functions are available using a 2-wire serial interface. The following image shows a compatible Cisco X2-10GB-LR.

What Is Cisco X2-10GB-LRM?
Cisco X2-10GB-LRM module supports link lengths of 220m on standard Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) grade multimode fiber. It is compliant with 10GBASE-LRM standard. To ensure that specifications are met over FDDI-grade, OM1 and OM2 fibers, the transmitter should be coupled through a mode conditioning patch cord (MCP). No mode conditioning patch cord is required for applications over OM3 or OM4. For additional information on mode conditioning patch cord requirements. Please see: www.cables-solutions.com. The following image shows a compatible Cisco X2-10GB-LRM.

Customers may feel confused about Cisco X2-10GB-LR and X2-10GB-LRM since they look like similar except for the extra letter “M”. A brief description of their similarities will be provided in the following table.

Fiberstore 10GBASE X2 Module
Fiberstore supplies a variety of compatible Cisco X2 10GBASE modules including X2-10GB-LR, X2-10GB-LRM, and so on. We have a great quantity of compatible Cisco X2 transceivers in stock and can ship products for you within twenty four hours. Please feel free to contact us for any further information.

This text provides a brief introduction to two Cisco X2 10GBASE modules—X2-10GB-LR and X2-10GB-LRM. I hope readers can learn something from my blog.

Related article:
www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/interfaces-modules/transceiver-modules/data_sheet_c78-455693.pdf