1.25G SFP Transceiver Solution

SFP optical module is a compact optical transceiver module used in communication field. SFP optical transceivers are designed to support SONET/SDH, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Fibre Channel and other communications standards. It interfaces a network device motherboard (switch, router, media converter or similar device) to a Fiber Channel or Gigabit Ethernet optical fiber cable at the other end. SFP transceivers are available in a wide range of data rates including 155M, 622M, 1.25G and 2.5G, which allows users to choose the most suitable transceiver for each link. Today’s article will illustrate the most popular 1.25G SFP transceivers.

Description of SFP Transceiver

SFP modules can be divided into different types according to different standard. Here is what you need to know about SFP modules. The transmission distance of a SFP is up to 120km for single-mode and 2km for multimode fiber. The SFP fiber transceiver could be dual fibers with LC connectors, or single fiber with LC or SC connectors. The wavelengths could be 850nm, 1310nm and 1550nm. The 1.25G SFP optical transceiver modules are available in different standard such as 1000BASE-T, 1000BASE-SX, 1000BASE-LX/LH, etc. The following part explains such types.

1000BASE-SX SFP Transceiver

1000BASE-SX SFP transceiver is a cost effective 850nm module supporting dual data-rate of 1.25Gbps/1.0625Gbps. It is compatible with the IEEE 802.3z 1000BASE-SX standard and operates multimode fibers link up to 550 m. The fiber optic transceiver consists of three sections: a VCSEL laser transmitter, a PIN photodiode integrated with a trans-impedance preamplifier (TIA) and MCU control unit. This SFP type (e.g. J4858B) is usually applied for Fiber Channel links, Gigabit Ethernet links, Fast Ethernet links, etc. J4858B (see in Figure 1) is HP 1000BASE-SX SFP that is widely welcomed by overall users.

1000BASE-LX/LH SFP Transceiver

1000BASE-LX/LH SFP transceiver is a high performance 1310nm transceiver for single-mode fibers. It is compatible with the IEEE 802.3z 1000BASE-LX standard and also supports dual data-rate of 1.25 Gbps/1.0625 Gbps with a transmission distance of 10 /15 /20 km. Cisco GLC-LX-SM-RGD (shown in Figure 2) is 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP that can operate on standard single-mode fiber-optic link spans of up to 10 km and up to 550 m on any multimode fibers. HP J4860C is a 1000BASE-LH SFP that can operates over 1550nm for a distance of 70km. Unlike Cisco GLC-LX-SM-RGD SFP, J4860C can support a much longer distance of 70km, which is ideal for long-haul network application.

10/100/1000BASE-T SFP Transceiver

10/100/1000BASE-T SFP Transceiver is compatible with the Gigabit Ethernet standard as specified in IEEE STD 802.3. It supports data rates of 10/100/1000 Mbps, fully satisfying 10/100/10001000BASE-T applications such as LAN 10/100/1000Base-T Fiber Channel links, Gigabit Ethernet over Cat 5 Cable, Switch to Switch Interface, Router/Server interface, etc.

Why Choose Compatible SFP Module

We have introduced several SFP modules above including the HP SFPs. The original SFP optical transceivers are very expensive, the simple solution to this is to find a reliable OEM vendor. Besides saving cost, there are many others reasons that you should choose to purchase a compatible SFP, SFP+ or XFP fiber optic transceiver. For example in a scenario where gigabit speed is required to run across a point-to-point link, the distance between the link length is assessed and an appropriate SFP transceiver module native to the host device is chosen. If a HP platform was in situation, then the selection of module will be limited by among the following: 550 meter (J4858B), 10km (J4859B), 40km (JD061A) or the maximum 70km (J4860C). Using a compatible SFP you can choose from a variety of distance limits from 550meters up to 100km in numerous increments with distances of 160km being achievable on the top product lines.

Another advantage of use compatible SFP transceivers is the freedom to tailor the transceiver to your individual requirement. Custom serial numbers can be added both to the product label and also hard coded to the device itself. Latches can be color coded for high density link identification Fiberstore also provide a recoding service in China, this specific service means existing SFP's can be adapted if the host device is to be changed. In some instances, even cross-device compatibility is quite possible.

Conclusion

Because of its high performance and small size, SFP transceiver replaces the former GBIC module and becomes the most used fiber optic transceiver module in the telecommunication industry. Currently, many optical vendors supply optical transceiver modules. Fiberstore, as a professional telecom manufacturer and supplier, offers a full range of SFP optical transceivers that are 100% compatible with large brands. We are committed to provide high-quality products and long-term customer services to our customers. Any interested in our products, you can contact us directly.

Why Needs Cisco GLC-LH-SM Transceiver

Fiber optic technology has proven itself as an indispensable component for network backbone and other high-demand applications as it generally offers greater bandwidth than traditional copper cable. However, fiber optic cables are made of a specialized glass-like material that costs more to manufacture than traditional copper networking cables. Additionally, the interfaces on either end of the cable have often been required to be highly complex transceivers that required a large amount of intricate configuration to perform optimally. That’s the main obstacle that has remained to widespread adoption of fiber optic networking.

But recently, as technology has improved, the price of fiber optic media has fallen to the degree, thus with its obvious advantages over copper cable, fiber optic cable are feasible and affordable for networking applications. As for the optical interfaces, with Cisco GLC-LH-SM fiber optic transceivers, those obstacles are a thing of the past. Here explains why the GLC-LH-SM transceiver makes fiber optic networking possible.

Brief Overview of Cisco GLC-LH-SM

Cisco GLC-LH-SM is a 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP for both multimode and single-mode fibers. The 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP, compatible with the IEEE 802.3z 1000BASE-LX standard, operates on standard single-mode fiber-optic link spans of up to 10 km and up to 550 m on any multimode fibers. So now let’s move on the next part. Figure 1 shows a Cisco GLC-LH-SM transceiver module.

Every Network needs Cisco GLC-LH-SM

One thing that makes optical transceivers so special is that they are hot swappable—a huge development in fiber optic technology. In the past, if designers had to repair a transceiver failure, he would redesign the whole system, which meant a lengthy amount of network downtime. But with Cisco GLC-LH-SM, the whole process will be quite easy. You can leave the power on, remove the device, pop in the replacement, then you network is back off to races as shown in Figure 2.

It is necessary to make sure the configuration of an optical transceiver before operating. But this GLC-LH-SM transceiver is preferred by most designers because it doesn’t need to be configured to begin functioning. It is ideal for network designers as it reduces the number of steps required to achieve the desired goal. Sometimes, external calibration is required, but this is not always the case. The most stringent applications will require it, and most other applications will not. This significantly reduces the number of steps or requirements necessary for designing an optimal network.

Cisco GLC-LH-SM is compatible with 1000BASE-LX/LH, which makes it possible for both single-mode and multimode fiber. When you need a network solution that covers a long distance, this transceiver operating over single-mode fiber is available for a link span of up to 10km. It is ideal to be deployed in Hospitals, university campuses, and large research facilities. And multimode opens the data floodgates, giving you maximum throughput upwards of 1.25 Gbps.

Conclusion

There lists three reasons why every network needs GLC-LH-SM transceiver. GLC-LH-SM fiber optic transceiver makes it so much easier to redesign fiber optic technology into your network. It does this, simply, by making it just as easy as to incorporate a traditional Ethernet router. And it doesn’t need to be configured. But besides those reasons, there are countless other reasons, which will help designers recognize why they should select the devices and design them into their networking solutions.

If you are in the market for GLC-LH-SM optics, ask an expert for help. He will help you select the proper technology and design what you need to achieve your goals. Every network needs GLC-LH-SM optics, you just have to find the best manufacturer and type to meet your needs. In fact, Cisco original fiber optics are too costly, the similar Cisco GLC-LX-SM-RGD are also very expensive. Thus find a reliable vendor will solve all your problems. As you know Fiberstore would love to answer any questions about GLC transceivers or any other networking questions you may have. Please contact us if you may have any questions.

Single-mode vs. Multi-mode Transceiver

We are quite familiar with difference between single-mode fiber (SMF) and multi-mode fiber (MMF), but we know little about single-mode and multi-mode transceiver. So what are they? And how to choose between them. Actually single-mode and multi-mode fiber are the transport media of a transceiver module. Besides this, here are certain things you need to know before making that decision which can prevent additional costs in the future.

The key differences between single-mode and multi-mode transceiver lie in the following expects—distance and cost, speed, how they work and compatibility issue. The following text will explain them one by one.

Distance and Cost
The single-mode fiber based transceivers work mainly in 1310nm and 1550nm wavelength and have a transmission distance of 2 km to 120 km. While multi-mode fiber based transceivers work in 850nm wavelength and are only used for short distance defined from 150 meters to 5 kilometers. The difference in transmission distance is owing to different transmitter power, receiver sensitivity and the wavelength in operation.

The cost difference between single-mode and multi-mode transceiver mainly arises from the cost difference between single-mode fiber and multi-mode fiber. It is known that the optic for single-mode is nearly twice the cost of multi-mode fiber. But the cost of a single-mode transceiver is negligible when installed as part of a project. Therefore, multi-mode transceivers are typically used when the distance involved is not long.

Speed
Both single-mode transceiver and multi-mode transceiver can transmit 10G speed. You just need to consider the distance requirement. Multi-mode can only support 300 to 400 meters. Single-mode transceiver can support link lengths up to 120 km. But prices go up accordingly.

How They Work
Single-mode fiber has a smaller core (9 micron) and narrower wavelength, which means that SMF has the capability for higher bandwidth and much longer distances in transmission. And because of its smaller core, single-mode fiber has less light diffraction over distance than multi-mode fiber (50, 62.5 micron). That’s the reason why single-mode transceiver can support link length up to 120 km. Figure 1 shows a compatible Cisco GLC-LX-SM-RGD and a single-mode patch cable.

 

In contrast, multi-mode fiber has a much bigger core and uses a longer wavelength of light, resulting in MMF having higher numerical apertures which means they are better at collecting light than single-mode fibers. In fact, this refers to the optics is cheaper. Due to the modal dispersion in the fiber, multi-mode fiber has higher pulse spreading rates than single mode fiber, limiting multi-mode fiber’s information transmission capacity. Thus multi-mode transceiver can only support shorter distance. Figure 2 shows a compatible Cisco GLC-SX-MMD and a multi-mode patch cable.

Compatibility Issue
Can I use single-mode fiber over multi-mode transceiver or vice versa? This is the question we have heard so many times from our customers. The answer is not that easy.

We all knew that single-mode fiber and multi-mode fiber are not compatible. The main reason is that they possess distinct wavelength of the laser and core size of the fiber. Take Cisco SFP as an example, there is a type of SFP transceiver module (GLC-LX-SM-RGD) which can support both single-mode and multi-mode fiber. But a mode conditioning patch cable is always required when using single-mode transceiver (like GLC-ZX-SMD) with 62.5-micron MMF, and only at distances that would have worked using multi-mode transceivers. It does not work when we are exceeding the distance specified for multi-mode fiber. The result could be an elevated bit error rate.

Summary
When we choose between single-mode transceiver and multi-mode transceiver, we must take all the above factors into consideration. Budget of course is the number one factors considered by many users. To save more, we are able to choose the compatible modules without sacrificing any quality or reliability but only with a low cost. Fiberstore supplies compatible fiber optic transceiver modules of many brands, such as Cisco, HP, Juniper, Brocade, Finisar etc. You are welcomed to contact us for more information.

Things You May Ask About 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP

SFP (small form pluggable) transceiver, also called Mini-GBIC by the vendors, is one of the key components required for telecom and data communication applications. There are many companies supplying SFP transceiver like Cisco, Finisar, 3com, HP, NETGEAR, etc. You can find all compatible SFP transceivers in Fiberstore with competitive price and great performance. 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP, one of the commonly used optical transceivers, is now very popular in the optical network system. The following text is going to illustrate something you may feel curious about 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP (GLC-LX-SM-RGD and Finisar FTLF1318P2BTL). From the article, we might have a deeper understanding of using these transceiver modules.

What Is GLC-LX-SM-RGD?
GLC-LX-SM-RGD is Cisco 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP transceiver module. GLC-LX-SM-RGD, compatible with the IEEE 802.3z 1000BASE-LX standard, operates on standard single mode fiber optic link lengths of up to 10 km and up to 550 m on any multimode fibers. When used over legacy multimode fiber type, the transmitter should be coupled through a mode conditioning patch cable (MCP). The GLC LX SM RGD transceiver module combines quality with low cost and makes it an ideal alternative except for the high-price transceivers. Fiberstore GLC LX SM RGD is compatible with all Cisco series switches and modules which support SFP transceivers. The following picture shows a GLC-LX-SM-RGD.

What About Mode Conditioning Patch Cable?
When selecting an optical transceiver, watch the transceiver’s user documentation for when a MCP should be utilized. They are sometimes required when your network’s installed optical cable is OM1 or OM2 rated multimode fiber. In short, the MCP is used to adapt the single mode output of Gigabit Ethernet (1000BASE-LX) transceivers to a multimode cable network.

Overview of Finisar FTLF1318P2BTL
Finisar FTLF1318P3BTL SFP transceiver is compatible with the SFP Multi-Sourcing Agreement (MSA). It is a duplex SFP transceiver for optical communications, rated for distances up to 10km and a maximum bandwidth of 1.25Gbps. The FTLF1318P2BTL transceiver operates at 1310nm wavelength. Finisar FTLF1318P2BTL simultaneously comply with 1000BASE-LX/LH as specified in IEEE Std 802.3 and 1x Fibre Channel as defined in FC-PI-2 Rev. 8.00. They are RoHS (Reduction of Hazardous Substances) compliant and lead-free per directive 2011/65/EU and Finisar Appl. Note AN-2038. Digital diagnostics functions are available via the 2-wire serial bus specified in the SFP MSA. A Finisar FTLF1318P2BTL is shown below.

What Is the Difference Between LH and LX Modules?
LH stands for Long Haul that means longer distances, while LX(long wavelength) denotes less energy which is obviously shorter distance. Before it was standardized, 1000BASE-LX10 was essentially already in widespread use by many vendors as a proprietary extension called either 1000BASE-LX/LH or 1000BASE-LH.

Does 1000BASE-LX SFP Work With 1000BASE-LH SFP?
Yes, 1000BASE-LX can work with the 1000BASE-LH. For example, Cisco 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP is either made for single mode (long distance) or multimode (short distance). But this module can be used for both single mode and multimode.

Conclusion
1000BASE-LX/LH SFP transceiver is widely applied in Gigabit Ethernet, Fibre Channel switch infrastructure and other optical transmission systems. Fiberstore, as a professional OEM manufacturer of optical networking solutions, offers a large selection of compatible SFP transceivers in stock such as GLC-LX-SM-RGD, Finisar FTLF1318P2BTL, JD099B, 3CSFP92 and so on. Contact us if you could not find the right items you need.

Reference:
www.sanspot.com/v/vspfiles/pdfs/finisar/FTLF1318P2BTL.pdf
www.fiber-optic-solutions.com/guide-to-sfp-transceiver-for-gigabit-ethernet.html