The rapid development of domestic and international networks, as well as the development of big data and the Internet of Things, has accelerated the construction of data center networks. Currently, China is transitioning from gigabit networks to 10-gigabit networks. In the process of building data center networks, optical transceivers play a crucial role, and their importance cannot be ignored. One of the most widely used products in data center applications is the 10-gigabit multimode optical transceiver. So, how do we choose the ideal 10g sfp transceiver? Taking Cisco's 10-gigabit multimode optical transceiver as an example, this article provides a detailed introduction and analysis of how to choose the appropriate 10-gigabit multimode optical transceiver for readers.
In Cisco's 10-gigabit multimode product catalog, there are different models of 10-gigabit multimode optical transceivers available due to their application in various network scenarios. Currently, there are five models to choose from: SFP-10G-SR, SFP-10G-SR-S, SFP-10G-SR-X, SFP-10G-SR-I, and FET-10G. Let's detail these five products:
SFP-10G-SR:
SFP-10G-SR is the most common optical transceiver model within Cisco, widely used in various applications. SFP stands for Small Form-factor Pluggables, which is an upgraded version of GBIC. Its advantage lies in its smaller size compared to GBIC, making it the most widely used optical transceiver packaging form in current network deployments. The "10G" signifies a transmission rate of up to 10 gigabits, or 10G, which has become prevalent in both data center and long-distance network setups. "SR" stands for Short Range, indicating that the maximum transmission distance of SFP-10G-SR is 400 meters, making it suitable for short-distance data exchange and aggregation in data centers.
SFP-10G-SR-S:
Cisco's SFP-10G-SR-S optical transceiver is a variant defined by its temperature range, with "S" denoting Standard grade. The temperature adaptability of SFP-10G-SR-S transceivers is more limited, and they only provide support for Ethernet, making them an economical and efficient choice for most standard scenarios. SFP-10G-SR-S does not support FCoE.
SFP-10G-SR-X:
Cisco's SFP-10G-SR-X is a multi-rate 10GBASE-SR, 10GBASE-SW, and OTU2/OTU2e transceiver with an extended operating temperature range of -20°C to +85°C. Compared to transceivers of the Standard grade, X-grade transceivers can maintain stable operation in more severe temperature environments.
SFP-10G-SR-I:
Cisco's SFP-10G-SR-I is a multi-rate 10GBASE-SR, 10GBASE-SW, and OTU2/OTU2e transceiver designed for industrial operating temperature ranges. This model can operate stably within a temperature range of -45°C to +85°C. Additionally, it supports CPRI data rate options 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7a, and 8.
FET-10G:
Cisco's FET-10G, like SFP-10G-SR, is a 10-gigabit optical transceiver. FET stands for Fabric Extender Transceiver, which is the optical transceiver for Cisco's Fabric Extender, and this type of optical transceiver can only be used on FEX devices like NEXUS2000. It supports links of up to 100 meters on OM3 or OM4 multimode fiber.
The transmission distance of SFP-10G-SR, SFP-10G-SR-S, SFP-10G-SR-X, and SFP-10G-SR-I models is the same. Cisco 10GBASE-SR transceivers support a link length of 26 meters on standard Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI)-grade multimode fiber (MMF). Using 2000 MHzkm MMF (OM3), the link length can reach 300 meters. Using 4700 MHzkm MMF (OM4), the link length can reach 400 meters.
In short-distance link scenarios, the commonly used options include DAC (Direct Attach Cables), AOC active optical cable, 10-gigabit Ethernet optical transceivers, and the several common short-distance multimode optical transceivers mentioned earlier, such as Cisco's SFP-10G-SR. When several devices are stacked in series, DAC is typically chosen. These short-distance stacking cables are cost-effective and easy to use. If the stacked cables exceed 10 meters, AOC, which is an active optical cable, can be selected. When existing infrastructure requires copper cable connections, 10-gigabit Ethernet port transceivers are the most suitable. However, for longer distances, we often opt for SFP-10G-SR optical transceiver transceivers paired with fiber optic patch cables to ensure stable and flexible link connections.
When optical transceiver manufacturers produce optical transceivers, they strictly adhere to MSA (Multi-Source Agreement) protocol standards. Additionally, the optical transceivers produced by our factory are downward compatible in terms of speed. For example, a 10-gigabit optical transceiver can transmit at gigabit speeds; all that's required is for the device to open the port speed. However, it's possible that some communication equipment manufacturers may limit the port speed, preventing transmission, which would necessitate technical personnel to access the management port for configuration.
Regarding compatibility, it depends on the degree to which equipment manufacturers accept third-party optical transceivers. Currently, some equipment manufacturers encrypt third-party compatible optical transceivers. If encryption is not applied, and most vendors adhere to the MSA protocol, then compatibility is generally not an issue.
OEM optical transceivers provided by leading communication equipment manufacturers often come with a significant brand premium, making them much more expensive in terms of purchasing costs. However, third-party compatible optical transceivers, due to the absence of brand premiums, can offer equivalent functionality at a lower cost, making them a cost-effective alternative. Choosing compatible optical transceivers from Wuhan Gearlink Technology can provide the same value without the need for high expenditures.
Overall, having a comprehensive understanding of the characteristics of various optical transceivers in short-distance transmission solutions, as well as the pricing of OEM transceivers from leading manufacturers and third-party compatible optical transceivers, can provide more flexible options and a more cost-effective budget for the implementation and operation of 10-gigabit Ethernet networks.
