Guide to SFP+ Transceiver For 10 Gigabit Ethernet

Introduction to SFP+ transceiver
The small form-factor pluggable plus (SFP+) transceiver is based on SFP and developed by the ANSI T11 fibre channel group. SFP+ has become the most popular socket on 10GE systems due to its smaller size and lower power. SFP+ modules can further be grouped into two types of host interfaces: linear or limiting. Limiting modules are preferred except when using old fiber infrastructure which requires the use of the linear interface provided by 10GBASE-LRM modules.

10 Gigabit Ethernet Standards
10 Gigabit Ethernet is a group of computer networking technologies for transmitting Ethernet frames at a rate of 10 gigabits per second. It was first defined by the IEEE 802.3ae-2002 standard. Like previous versions of Ethernet, 10GbE can use either copper or fiber cabling. However, because of its bandwidth requirements, higher-grade copper cables are required: category 6a or Class F/Category 7 cables for links up to 100m. The 10 Gigabit Ethernet standard encompasses a number of different physical layer (PHY) standards. A table is listed below to offer you a visual impression of the standards of 10 Gigabit Ethernet.

Types of SFP+ transceiver for 10 Gigabit Ethernet
SFP+ transceiver complaint with the 10 Gigabit Ethernet standards can be classified into 10GBASE-T SFP+, 10GBASE-SR SFP+, 10GBASE-LR SFP+, 10GBASE-ER SFP+, 10gBASE-LRM SFP+, etc. Next I will provide a brief introduction of the most common SFP+ transceivers for 10 Gigabit Ethernet—10GBASE-SR SFP+, 10GBASE-LR SFP+, 10GBASE-ER SFP+.

10GBASE-SR SFP+
The 10GBASE-SR SFP+ is a port type of multi-mode fiber and uses 850nm lasers. Over OM1, it has a range of 33 m, over OM2 a range of 82 m, over OM3 300 m and over OM4 400 m. 10GBASE-SR delivers the lowest cost, lowest power and smallest form factor optical modules, which was projected to make up a quarter of the total 10GbE adapter ports shipped in 2011. Take 10GB-SR-SFPP ( see in the below image) as an example, it is fully compatible with Extreme devices and the SFP+ 20-pin connector to allow hot plug capability.

10GBASE-LR SFP+
10GBASE-LR SFP+ is designed for single-mode fiber and operates at a nominal wavelength of 850 nm. The 10GBASE-LR transmitter is implemented with a Fabry–Pérot or Distributed feedback laser (DFB). DFB lasers are more expensive than VCSELs but their high power and longer wavelength allow efficient coupling into the small core of single-mode fiber over greater distances. Compared with 10GBASE-SR, the maximum range of 10GBASE-LR is 10 km.

10GBASE-ER SFP+
10GBASE-ER SFP+ transmits over single-mode fiber. Its operating wavelength is 1550 nm. This kind of SFP+ module is used to connect devices both in the same cabinet and in different physical locations up to 40km in distance that is widely used in large building, co-location facilities and carrier neutral internet exchanges.

Conclusion
SFP+ transceiver is widely used to support communication standards including synchronous optical networking (SONET)/synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH), gigabit ethernet and fiber channel. From this text, we have acquired some information about SFP+ transceiver for 10 Gigabit Ethernet. Fiberstore manufactures a complete range of SFP+ transceivers such as 10GB-SR-SFPP, SFP-10G-ER, JG234A, etc. For more information, please feel free to contact us.

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

Unveiling 10G Transceiver Modules

As the core of optoelectronic device in the WAN, MAN or LAN application, fiber optic transceivers have developed various types along with the increasing in complexity. Take 10G transceiver module as an example, it has experienced developments from XENPAK, X2, XFP and finally realized with SFP+. Many users raised the questions related to the main difference between these optical modules. So, in the following part, we will provide some main tips about the difference among the XENPAK, X2, XEP and SFP +.

Four Transceiver Modules—Description & Comparison
Those four transceivers (see in Figure 1) are all used to transmit 10G signal using Ethernet protocol. They are the result of Multi-Source Agreement (MSAs) that enable vendors to produce 802.3ae-compliant pluggable transceivers. The following part will provide a general guide to these module types.

XENPAK—the first 10GbE pluggable transceiver optics. Presents SC connectors
X2—the successor to the XENPAK (the smaller brother of the XENPAK). Presents SC connectors
XFP—the first of the small form factor 10GbE optics and newest pluggable transceiver. Presents LC connectors
SFP+—a 10GbE optics using the same physical form factor as a gigabit SFP. Because of this, many of the small SFP+ based 10GbE switches use 1G/10G ports, giving an added degree of flexibility. Presents LC connectors.

The first published XENPAK was by far the largest in physical size, which totally limited its popularity on the market. Many vendors then began to work on alternative standards. Finally in 2003, MSAs published another two 10G transceiver modules called X2 and XFP. X2 and XFP modules have been developed that support all of the high-power, long-distance applications once reserved for the larger XENPAK transceivers. But nowadays, SFP+ has gradually replaced the XFP and becomes the main stream of 10G transceivers markets. Why? The following part will answer you.

Contrast Between XFP and SFP+
XFP modules are hot-swappable and protocol-independent. They typically operate at near-infrared wavelengths of 850nm, 1310nm or 1550nm. They can operate over a single wavelength or use dense wavelength-division multiplexing techniques. SFP+ published on May 9, 2006, is an enhanced version of the SFP that supports data rates up to 16 Gbit/s. SFP+ supports 8 Gbit/s Fibre Channel, 10 Gigabit Ethernet and Optical Transport Network standard OTU2. It is a popular industry format supported by many network component vendors. Although the SFP+ standard does not mention 16G Fibre Channel, it can be used at this speed.

Both SFP+ and XFP are 10G transceivers, and can connect with other 10G transceivers. The main reason why SFP+ gain more market share than XFP is that SFP+ is more compact sized than XFP. The smaller SFP+ transfers the modulation functions, serial/deserializer, MAC, clock and data recovery (CDR) and EDC functions from the module to the motherboard on the card. In addition, cost of SFP+ is lower than XFP. Because XFP relies on a high-speed interface (10.3125Gbps), high-priced serializer/deserializer (SERDES) is required inside the switch to support it. They add an unacceptable cost to the base system of XFP. XFP complies with protocol of XFP MSA while SFP+ complies with IEEE802.3, SFF-8431, SFF-8432. SFP+ is the mainstream design currently.

Conclusion
SFP+, with its advantages of smaller size, low-cost and meeting the demand of high-density fiber transceivers, is anticipated to give rise to the realization better speed communication networks of the next generation. Fiberstore, as a professional optical transceiver modules manufacturer, supplies a complete range of 10G transceiver modules that can be customized as well. SFP-10G-ER, HP J9150A, F5-UPG-SFP+-R, Finisar FTLX1471D3BCL, QFX-SFP-10GE-SR—these compatible 10G transceiver modules are all available at Fiberstore. If you want to know more about 10G transceiver modules, welcome to contact us.

Reference:
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/interfaces_modules/transceiver_modules/compatibility/matrix/10GE_Tx_Matrix.html

All about Cisco S-Class Optics

Nowadays, fierce competition among companies and enterprises has accelerated the launching of new products in succession. Of course, there is no exception to Cisco. Cisco S-class optics were launched In December 2014. Many people feel confused about this new product as there are no obvious differences on specifications between Cisco S-class optics and the others. But if you dig it deeper, you will find out that Cisco S-class optics is designed for enterprise and data center 10G and 40G applications with a more attractive price. And they are only available in the most common reaches needed in enterprise and data center applications. This article will introduce Cisco S-class optics in details. Table 1 shows 10G and 40G S-class Optics.

Cisco S-Class 10GBASE SFP+ Modules
Cisco S-Class 10GBASE SFP+ modules offer customers a variety of 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity options optimized for Enterprise and data center applications.

• Cisco SFP-10G-SR-S

The Cisco 10GBASE-SR module supports a link length of 26 meters on standard Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) -grade multi-mode fiber (MMF). Using OM3, up to 300-meter link lengths are possible. Using OM4 multi-mode fiber, up to 400 meter link lengths are possible.

• Cisco SFP-10G-LR-S

The Cisco 10GBASE-LR module supports a link length of 10 kilometers on standard single-mode fiber (SMF, G.652).

• Cisco SFP-10G-ER-S

The Cisco 10GBASE-ER module supports a link length of up to 40 kilometers on standard single-mode fiber (SMF, G.652).

• Cisco SFP-10G-ZR-S

The Cisco SFP-10G-ZR module supports link lengths of up to about 80 kilometers on standard single-mode fiber (SMF, G.652). This interface is not specified as part of the 10 Gigabit Ethernet standards and is, instead, built according to Cisco specifications.

Cisco S-Class 40GBASE QSFP Modules
The Cisco 40GBASE QSFP (Quad Small Form-Factor Pluggable) (seen in Figure 2) offers customers high-density and low-power 40 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity options for data center, high-performance computing networks, enterprise core, and distribution layers applications. There are two common types of Cisco S-Class QSFP40G—Cisco QSFP-40G-SR4-S and Cisco QSFP-40G-LR4-S.

• Cisco QSFP-40G-SR4-S

The Cisco 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP module supports link lengths of 100 and 150 meters, respectively, on laser-optimized OM3 and OM4 fibers. It primarily enables high-bandwidth 40G optical links over 12-fiber parallel fiber terminated with MPO/MTP multifiber connectors. Cisco QSFP-40G-SR4-S is optimized to guarantee interoperability with any IEEE-compliant 40GBase-SR4 module.

• Cisco QSFP-40G-LR4-S

The Cisco 40GBASE-LR4 QSFP module supports link lengths of up to 10 kilometer over a standard pair of G.652 single-mode fiber with duplex LC connectors. The QSFP-40G-LR4-S module supports 40GBase Ethernet rate only. The 40 Gigabit Ethernet signal is carried over four wavelengths. Multiplexing and demultiplexing of the four wavelengths are managed in the device.

More Detailed Information About Cisco S-class Optics
Cisco S-class optics with their attractive price has attracted many users since they came out last year. But a series of questions are also put forward by users. Is S-Class SFP+ compatible with “normal” SFP+? When should we use S-class optics? What’s the difference between Cisco S-Class and non-S-Class optics?… Unfortunately, we don’t know exactly about this. But from the Cisco data sheet, here are some experiences may help you.

According to Cisco data sheet, S-class is only for Ethernet protocol, not for OTN (Optical Transport Network) or WAN-PHY (Wide Area Network Physics). In addition S-class optics have different temperature ranges with non-S-class optics. Therefore, if you don’t need any special long distance, temperature tolerances, or other special features, S-Class optics are cheaper and should be just fine for you. In fact, there may be more unknown differences. But the low price is still the main selling point, and we don’t need to worry about the compatibility problem.

Fiberstore Compatible Cisco Transceiver Modules
Fiberstore offers a full variety of compatible Cisco transceiver modules like SFP-10G-ER, SFP-10G-SR, X2-10GB-LR etc. You can enjoy the same functions and performance as the Cisco transceiver with an incredibly lower price. For more information, please feel free to contact us directly.

Reference:
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/interfaces-modules/transceiver-modules/bulletin-c25-733742.html