FAQs You May Ask When Using 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP

There are many types of fiber optic transceiver used in fiber optic transmission. 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP, one of the commonly used optical transceiver, is now widely used in optical network systems. Here are some common questions we might have when using Cisco 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP (GLC-LH-SM or GLC-LH-SMD) transceivers. And from the answers, we might have a deeper understanding of using these fiber optics.
Q1: Can 1000BASE-LX compatible with 100BASE-LX?
A1: 1000BASE-LX and 100BASE-FX are very different standards. 1000BASE-LX SFP (GLC-LH-SMD) and 100BASE-LX SFP (GLC-FE-100LX) are 2 module types, one for GE and one for FE slots. The GLC-LH-SMD will not operate at 100Mbps. You will need to use a 100Mb module to connect to another device at 100Mb. Check optical transceiver compatibility with your equipment by reviewing the Cisco Fast Ethernet SFP module compatibility document and choose the one it says is compatible.
Q2: What is the difference between LH and LX modules?
A2: Long Haul (LH) denotes longer distances while Long Wavelength (LX) 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.
Q3: Does 1000BASE-LX SFP work with 1000BASE-LH SFP? What does it infer if a module says like "Cisco 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP"?
A3: Yes, the 1000BASE-LX will work with the 1000BASE-LH. For instance, Cisco 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP is either made for single mode (long distance) / multimode (short distance). But this module can be used for both Single-mode and Multimode. The Cisco 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. When used over legacy multimode fiber type, the transmitter should be coupled through a mode conditioning patch cable.
Q4: What about Mode Conditioning Patch cords (MCP)?
A4: When selecting an optical transceiver, watch the transceiver’s user documentation for when a MCP should be used (see previous link for MCP information). They are sometimes required when your network’s installed optical cable is OM1 or OM2 rated multimode fiber (MMF). In short, the MCP is an optical jumper that transitions the transmit fiber from a single mode fiber (SMF) to a multimode fiber.
Q5: GLC-LH-SM SFP to 1000BASELX GBIC won't link over MMF?
A5: Cisco compatibility document says: "Some customers might be tempted to connect 1000BASE-LX/LH devices over short reaches of MMF jumper cables without MCP cables. There is a risk associated to this type of nonstandard deployment, especially when the jumper cable is an FDDI-grade or OM1 type. In such case the power coupled directly into a 62.5-micron fiber could be as high as a few dBm (typically 5 to 6 dBm), and if the jumper cable is short, the adjacent receiver will be saturated, causing high bit error rate, and eventually irreversibly damaged. We recommend the use of MCP, but if the customer remains reluctant to the deployment of MCP, a 5-dB attenuator for 1300nm should be used and plugged at the transmitter of the optical module on each side of the link."
Q6: Does GLC-LH-SMD working with GLC-LH-SM?
A6: Yes. Both the GLC-LH-SM and GLC-LH-SMD transceivers support the IEEE 802.3 1000BASE-LX/LH standard and so are compatible with each other. The difference between the two is that the GLC-LH-SMD transceiver has additional support for Digital Optical Monitoring capability.
Q7: How much bandwidth can my single mode fiber (SMF) support?
A7: Single mode fiber has an extremely large bandwidth capacity. The following diagram shows how bandwidth can be scaled on SMF. Scaling bandwidth on fiber is not inexpensive. Depending upon the network, it may be more cost effective to install additional fibers instead of adding WDM technology.
Click through to browse GLC-LH-SMD price
Reference: www.sfp-transceiver-modules.com
Warm Tips: Fiberstore offers amount of in-stock 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP which are compatible for Cisco, Juniper, Dell, Finisar, Brocade, or Netgear (AGM732F) in 10/20 Km options.

Do Not Miss Fiberstore's 40-Channel DWDM Mux/Demux

DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing), an ideal optical multiplexing technology for long-haul data transporting, can put multiple channels of information using individual wavelength on the same fiber and increase the transmission capacity of optical networks considerably. Currently, DWDM technology is being widely applied in telecommunication networks and becomes the choice of many telecommunication operators.
Since the start of DWDM, various equipment and technologies have been used to enhance the high performance of every part in DWDM network. DWDM Multiplexer and demultiplexer are the main equipment that take charge of the data sources' multiplexing and demultiplexing. In the past years, DWDM multiplexers and demultiplexers have been upgraded rapidly to overcome the insertion loss and to meet the demands of the increasing requests for faster telecommunication, and they are always being combined in one rack by today's vendors also known as DWDM Mux/Demux.
Fiberstore as a serious manufacture of optical communication published a 40-channel Duplex DWDM Athermal AWG Mux/Demux with competitive features which are described as following:

• Low Insertion Loss: Insertion loss is an inevitable problem in optical networks. Combining LC/UPCconnectors of high quality and AWG technology, this duplex Mux/Demux reduces the insertion loss to a minimum of 3dB and increases the transmission capacity effectively.
• Athermal AWG Technology: With athermal design this mux/demux device is temperature-intensive and allows multiplexing and demultiplexing of DWDM signals over a wide operating temperature range with long-term stability, reliability and large transmission capacity.
• Large Channel Number & Excellent Channel Isolation: This DWDM Mux/Demux is designed for use within the C-band release of DWDM system which uses 40 channels at 100GHz spacing containing the channels from C21 (wavelength: 1560.606 nm) to C60 (wavelength: 1529.553 nm). Also 1.6nm (200 GHz) are available on request. Excellent channel isolation that eases the fiber handling is also provided.
• Space saving: With a standard 19 inch rack mount housing size, this DWDM Mux/Demux saves space effectively.
• High quality and Inexpensive: The products of Fiberstore has been appreciated by customers for its reliable quality. Comparing with other manufactures, Fiberstore offers the lowest price for such a high quality 40-channel DWDM Mux/Demux.

For detailed specifications of this 40-channel Duplex DWDM Mux/Demux with Monitor Port, please visit Fiberstore's online shop. Fiberstore currently has 10 of this DWDM Mux/Demux in stock and can deliver on the same day of ordering. Fiberstore also provides custom package to meet customers' requirements.
Click through to get more information about WDM fiber optic multiplexer.

1.25G SFP Transceiver Alternative Solution

Introduction

SFP (Small Form Pluggable) optical module is a compact transceiver used for both telecommunications and data communication applications. It can interface a network device motherboard (for a switch, router, media converter or similar device) to a Fiber Channel or Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) optical fiber cable at the other end. Due to its small size, it has replaced the formerly ubiquitous Gigabit Interface Converter (GBIC) gradually. And now it becomes the most used fiber optic transceiver module in the fiber communication industry.

SFP Module Series

SFP transceivers are available in a wide range of data rates and fiber coverages, which allows users to choose the most suitable transceiver for each link. Most used SFP transceivers are the 1.25 Gbps transceiver modules which are of different transmitter and receiver types such as 1000BASE-T, 1000BASE-SX, 1000BASE-LX/LH, etc. Here depict such kinds of transceivers.

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. It is usually applied for Fiber Channel links, Gigabit Ethernet links, Fast Ethernet links, etc.

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. It has three part numbers: SFP-1G31-10-xx, SFP-1G31-15-xx and SFP-1G31-20-xx. The transceiver consists of three sections: a FP laser transmitter, a PIN photodiode integrated with a trans-impedance preamplifier (TIA) and MCU control unit. It is commonly applied for Gigabit Ethernet links, Fiber Channel Switch Infrastructure and other optical transmission systems.

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.

Fiberstore Solutions

Fiberstore is a professional manufacturer and supplier for transceiver solutions. We offer such modules which are 100% compatible with large inventories. All those modules are delivered on the day for your convenience. In addition, we are committed to high-quality products and long-term customer confidence with providing return and warranty services. The detailed ordering information is as followed. If interested in our products, you can visit www.fiberstore.com or contact us over sales@fiberstore.com.

Module #	Data Rate	Transmission Distance	Connector Type	Price	Inventory
1000BASE-SX SFP Transceiver	≤ 1.25 Gbps	550 m	LC	US$ 8.00	2000
1000BASE-LX/LH SFP 1310 nm Transceiver	≤ 1.25 Gbps	10/15/20 km	LC	US$ 10.00	5500
10/100/1000BASE-T SFP Transceiver	10/100/1000 Mbps	100 m	RJ45	US$ 18.00	1000

Originally published at: www.fiber-optic-equipment.com

Great Compatible Cisco 10G SFP+ Modules

The enhanced small form-factor pluggable (SFP+) is an enhanced version of the SFP that supports data rates up to 16 Gbit/s. Since SFP+ is mostly used for 10G, we usually call it 10G SFP. It is a popular industry format supported by many network component vendors. In terms of the SFP+ transceivers, there are various major brands, such as Cisco, HP, Juniper etc. In the current market, the Cisco's SFP+ transceivers are very popular with the customers, especially the Cisco SFP-10G-SR and SFP-10G-LR. However, these original transceiver modules are really expensive. To save cost, we usually use 3rd-party transceiver modules instead of the original brand. In this text, two kinds of compatible SFP+ modules that can severally replace the Cisco SFP-10G-SR and SFP-10G-LR will be introduced. These two kinds of compatible modules are all from the Fiberstore, the leading manufacturer and supplier of optical transceiver modules in China.

SFP+ is the Most Popular 10G Transceiver Module

Since there are many different 10GbE physical layer standards, many interfaces consist of a standard socket into which different PHY modules may be plugged. On the market, the common 10G transceiver modules are XENPAK, XPAK, X2, XFP and SFP+. XENPAK was the first MSA for 10GbE and had the largest form factor. X2 and XPAK were later competing standards with smaller form factors. XFP came after X2 and XPAK and it is also smaller. The newest module standard is SFP+. In comparison to earlier XENPAK or XFP modules, SFP+ modules leave more circuitry to be implemented on the host board instead of inside the module. Now SFP+ has become the most popular socket on 10GbE systems.

Common 10GbE Standards for SFP+

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. Some common 10GbE standards for SFP+ are shown in the table below:

Cisco compatible SFP+	Cable Type	Wavelength	Max Range
10GBASE-SR SFP	MMF	850nm	OM3:300m/OM4:400m
10GBASE-LR SFP	SMF	1310nm	10km
10GBASE-LRM SFP	MMF	1310nm	220m
10GBASE-ER SFP	SMF	1550nm	40km
10GBASE-ZR SFP	SMF	1550nm	80km

Two Kinds of Compatible Cisco SFP+ Transceivers from Fiberstore

For 3rd-party transceiver modules are much cheaper than the original brand (Cisco. HP, etc), they are become more and more popular in the market. As a result, suppliers to offer these effective modules are also become more than before. But in my opinion, the Fiberstore does the best among them. They provide all kinds of compatible transceivers, especially the SFP-10G85-3M-CO and SFP-10G31-10-CO, which can entirely replace the Cisco SFP-10G-SR and SFP-10G-LR.

• SFP-10G85-3M-CO

  The SFP-10G85-3M-CO series multi-mode transceiver is a SFP+ module for duplex optical data communications such as 10GBASE-SR and 10GBASE-SW. This transceiver offers the same function with Cisco 10G SR SFP and is fully compatible with Cisco devices. It is a hot-swappable input/output device, which means no need to power down if installing or replacing. Its transmission distance can up to 300m with duplex LC multi-mode Fiber cable.

• SFP-10G31-10-CO

  The SFP-10G31-10-CO single mode transceiver is a small form factor pluggable module for serial optical data communications such as IEEE 802.3ae 10GBASE-LR/LW. This 10GBASE-LR SFP module offers the same function with Cisco SFP-10G-LR and is fully compatible with Cisco devices. This module is designed for single mode fiber and operates at a nominal wavelength of 1310 nm. Its transmission distance can up to 10km with duplex LC single-mode fiber.

All these products offered by Fiberstore are tested in-house prior to shipping to ensure that they will arrive in perfect physical and working condition. Fiberstore can guarantee these 10G SFP+ transceivers to work in your system and all of their 10G SFP+ transceivers come with a lifetime advance replacement warranty. Now they have many SFP-10G85-3M-CO and SFP-10G31-10-CO transceiver modules in stock. Therefore, Same-Day Delivery is available. If you want to know more about their products or services, please feel free to contact them at sales@fiberstore.com.

What You Need to Know When Using 10G over CWDM

Both Passive CWDM and DWDM have been viable solutions in the telecommunications industry, but now, 10G Ethernet is appearing to be the most preferred solution over CWDM, everyone is migrating to the use of 10G Ethernet. This encourages many engineers to figure out how they ought to adjust their new designs to support the transition from 10G to CWDM. If you're one of these designers who's attempting to navigate the transition, the following is what you need to know.
Bandwidth Exts are Easier
In past years, designers who want to increase or improve their bandwidth could achieve this easily over a single or duplex mode fiber. During this period, the 1G Ethernet and CWDM solutions were sufficient, and the only limiting element was the power budget of the optical transceiver or the attenuation of your fiber. That it was possible to transmit up to 200 kilometers and utilize just a 1G Ethernet when designers preferred cheap CWDM.
Now, many people are considering the 10G Ethernet solutions, and that's why it's necessary to understand how everything will differ when using 10G over CWDM. When intending to migrate to 10G, you need to know the fiber type. For the dispersion and attenuation calculation, every designer need to know the recommended parameters from ITU-T and understanding the vendor and product kind of the fiber could also help. Remember that the physical fiber will work better than the standards claim most of the time.
Chromatic dispersion is referred to as the time variance of a single pulse of a signal. To summarize, chromatic dispersion is "the spreading of a light pulse per unit source spectrum width in an optical fibre due to the various group velocities of the different wavelengths composing the source spectrum" or in layman's terms, "the signal is stretched on the fiber transmission path due the dispersion characteristics of the transporting fiber."
Chromatic dispersion always exists, but the higher the link speed is, the greater important it becomes. For instance, a wavelength of 1310nm have a 0 ps/nm chromatic dispersion and 5, 25 dB fiber attenuation. In comparison, a wavelength of 1610 nm have a 330 ps/nm chromatic dispersion and a 3,45 dB fiber attenuation.
CWDM Over DWDM 10G is Cost-Effective
Designers should bear it in mind that CWDM implementation is more cost effective than passive DWDM infrastructure. These solutions will be more expensive because DWDM lasers cost more. DWDM lasers are essentially DFB lasers which are cooled, however, they are recommended as they contain the longevity that are required in these solutions. If you would like transmit a signal over a large distance, you should think about large metro ring topologies.
Though 10GBASE DWDM is more expensive, it's become the first choice because users have started to consider the costs after dividing it over the quantity of customers served. Some customers are more cost-conscious and have lower bandwidth capacity requirements; so, the cheap CWDM infrastructure will make more sense.
Remember that the new 10GBASE DWDM services is usually added over the same fiber. This will enhance the support of the initial CWDM infrastructure capacity by 4 times. This is irresistible to many designers.
Select A Reputable Brand
Selecting a reputable brand for your CWDM Solution is necessary to achieve the best results. When you select a reputable brand, which means that multiple customers have had a favorable experience with this brand, this means that you’re likely to have success with the brand also. Compatible CWDM SFP, CWDM optical multiplexer and add drop CWDM all of these device you can but these form Fiberstore.Inc, which offer warranties and other benefits, also have an option for longer service and support.

How to Use DOM in Cisco System

Do you know that there is a fiber tester inside your optical transceiver? This "fiber tester" we call it DOM, which is short for Digital Optical Monitoring. DOM is a feature which enables the monitoring of some interesting status values on the interface with the most useful values being the optical receive and transmit powers. You can configure your Cisco (or other brand) device to monitor optical transceivers in the system, either globally or by specified port(s). When this feature is enabled, the system will monitor the temperature and signal power levels for the optical transceivers in the specified port(s). CONSOLE messages and SYSLOG messages are sent when optical operating conditions fall below or rise above the optical transceiver manufacturer’s recommended thresholds. By being able to monitor transmit and receive power levels of optical interfaces you are able to characterize the fiber loss and isolate any unidirectional connectivity issues. So, how to use DOM for your optical transceiver in Cisco system is our main topic today.

What Parameters are Monitored by DOM?

DOM allows to monitor some parameters so that network administrators can then check and ensure that the module is functioning correctly. These real-time operating parameters include:

• Optical Tx power
• Optcal Rx power
• Laser bias current
• Temparature
• Transceiver supply voltage

How to Use DOM

Restrictions

There are some restrictions of using DOM in Cisco system including:

• Ensure that your optical transceiver supports DOM. For Cisco original optical transceivers, you need the transceiver module compatibility information for configuring transceiver monitoring.
• In case of combo ports with SFP and RJ45 provision, when SFP is inserted in slot or port and media type is not configured to SFP, DOM is functional only if global transceiver monitoring is enabled.
• CISCO-ENTITY-SENSOR-MIB traps are sent only once after the threshold violation. However, SYSLOG traps are sent according to the monitoring interval.

Procedure

	Command or Action	Purpose
Step 1	enableExample: Router> enable	Enables the privileged EXEC mode.• Enter your password if prompted.
Step 2	configure terminalExample: Router# configure terminal	Enters the global configuration mode.
Step 3	transceiver type allExample: Router(config)# transceiver type all	Enters the transceiver type configuration mode.
Step 4	monitoringExample: Router(config-xcvr-type)# monitoring	Enables monitoring of all optical transceivers.
Step 5	monitoring intervalExample: Router(config-xcvr-type)# monitoring interval 500	(Optional) Specifies the time interval for monitoring optical transceivers. Valid range is 300 to 3600 seconds, and the default value is 600 seconds.

In conclusion, there are three main command that can be used to turn on/off DOM for all transceivers type in the system:

• Router(config)#transceiver type all
• Router(config-xcvr-type)#monitoring
• Router(config-xcvr-type)#end

Once enabled, DOM can be accessed via CLI using "show interface transceiver command", shown as the following picture:

DOM is incredibly handy when troubleshooting fiber issues. A low value in the Rx Power column indicates that you have a bad fiber, or more commonly, a dirty fiber optic patch cable somewhere.

Of all the five values, two mostly used and relevant values are TX and RX power, and temperature is also used sometimes. The operating range of these three values is unique across all modules and is available in the data sheet. Additionally, there is an extension available for this command, which is also very helpful and is used to check threshold values of the above parameters like temperature, Tx and Rx. The command is "show interface gig x/y transceiver detail".

How about Non-Cisco Transceiver with DOM

Though DOM is a very helpful functionality of optical transceiver, not all transceivers support DOM in Cisco's optical transceiver products family. For example, the common SFPs, such as the GLC-LX or GLC-SX units that are used by most network engineers on a day to day basis are not with DOM feature.

Why not add this helpful and convenient feature to all transceivers? Actually, Cisco have their own attitude. They think that DOM functionality is worth an extra $300 a pop, putting the cost of a DOM-enabled single mode SFP close to $800. However, DOM functionality is not a novel thing now. Surprisingly, there are some third-party optical transceiver include the DOM functionality but with a low cost. Fiberstore, for instance, as the professional optical transceiver manufacturer and supplier, they can offer Cisco compatible SFP transceivers with DDM or DOM functionality with a low cost. For example, GLC-LX-SM-RGD offered by Fiberstore just at $18.00, GLC-SX-MMD and GLC-LH-SMD at $10.00. But if we want to use non-Cisco transceivers, we need a little different approach to get started with DOM of non-Cisco transceivers. To enable support for non-Cisco SFPs, command "Router(config)#service unsupported-transceiver" is necessary.

Originally published at www.fiber-optic-transceiver-module.com.

Different Types of Optical Transceivers

There are many different kinds of transceivers available that can be used in telecommunications applications. The different specs and designs are widely used to meet the changing needs of designers. There are some primary kinds of transceivers available for this particular purpose.

SFP

Small form-factor (SFP) transceiver is available for designers to use in various applications. These transceivers come in various transmitter and receiver types. Users can select the right SFP transceiver by reviewing several different categories. Some common categories include:

• 1000BASE-T SFP Copper transceiver module operates on standard Category 5 unshielded twisted-pair copper cabling of link lengths up to 100 m (328 ft).
• 1000BASE-SX SFP operates on legacy 50 μm MMF links up to 550 m and on 62.5 μm Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI)-grade MMF up to 220 m.
• 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP operates on standard SMF optic link lengths up to 10km and up to 550 m on any MMF.
• 1000BASE-EX SFP operates on standard SMF optic link lengths up to 40km.
• 1000BASE-ZX SFP operates on standard SMF optic link lengths up to approximately 70km.
• 1000BASE-BX SFP operates on a single strand of standard SMF lengths up to 10km.

The SFP was one of the most popular types of transceivers until the enhanced version SFP+ was introduced.

SFP Plus (SFP+)

The small form-factor pluggable (SFP+) transceiver is an enhanced version of an SFP and is designed to support data rates up to 10 Gbit/s. Additionally, SFP+ supports 8 Gbit/s fiber channel. SFP+ sockets can be found in Ethernet switches and also network interface cards.

They've the capability to connect to various kinds of optical fiber and are highly flexible. That's why they are so desirable to designers.

SFP+ transceivers are specified by a multi-source agreement (MSA) between competing manufacturers. SFP+ was designed to have greater port density.

XFP

XFP transceivers are designed to be hot-swappable and protocol-independent. These devices can operating at wavelengths of 850nm, 1310nm, and 1550nm. These devices are capable of operating at a single wavelength or through the use of "dense wavelength-division multiplexing techniques."

This particular XFP transceiver was specified by a XFP multi-source agreement Group. Designers prefer using XFP packaging because it has a smaller footprint than other devices. It is smaller than XENPAK and can help the space-conscious designer.

XENPAK

XENPAK became the new standard transceiver with increased support across longer distances and for multiple wavelengths. Unlike GBIC transceivers that sent information across either copper or fiber optic channels, XENPAKs included support for both networks, creating a better, more flexible module. And unlike the bigger GBIC transceivers, XENPAKs were capable of conveying data across short and long distances due to their configuration settings located inside the devices. When utilizing a single-mode configuration, networks create a single ray of light to send data across a long distance, while they use a multimode setup to transmit information across short distances. Both single and multimode fiber optics were utilized by networks, creating the XENPAK device ideal.

X2

X2 Transceiver and XPAK that the older XENPAK modules could no longer keep up with, were made when the 10 Gigabit Ethernet standard took hold. The smaller, more flexible X2 and XPAK standards allowed for even more support for different Ethernet standards and were capable of transmitting data across longer distances.

CFP

The C form-factor pluggable (CFP) is a MSA to produce a common form-factor for the transmission of high-speed digital signals. The c stands for the Latin letter C used to express the number 100 (centum), since the standard was primarily developed for 100 Gigabit Ethernet systems.

There are a variety of transceiver types available, but the most popular ones include: SR, LR, ER, and ZR. SR is 850nm and link lengths up to 300m, LR is 1310nm and link lengths up to 10km. ER is characterized by 1550nm and link lengths up to 40km. ZR can transmit distances up to 80km.

Select the Right Transceiver for Your Design

Always select the right transceiver for your design. If the design is optimized, everything will fall into place for the end user. Try finding the right transceiver for your design. If you would like to find out more about the different transceivers available, you need to ask an expert and study more information about the highly functional devices online. The reliability of your design will improve, and your end-user will reap the benefits of a system that will stand the test of time and also the rigors of a stressful environment. Ask an expert to clarify your choices if transceivers are recommended for your design.

Choose and Purchase SFP+ Modules Effectively

When you choosing SFP+ transceivers and cables, what you should have in mind is that the standards established by the IEEE 802.3 committee. According to the standards, the 10 Gigabit Ethernet has been approved and is compatible with multimode fiber and single-mode fiber tansceivers. This means that the signals transmit fast and are able to maintain their signal integrity when transmitting long distances. The SFP+ transceivers and cables can be powered down and changed without a complete system redesign. The following tips are basically ways that you and the designer, can make a good choice for you when purchasing SFP+ transceivers and cables.

Ensure SFP+ Transceivers and Cables are Hot-swappable or Interchangeable

Never undervalue the importance of SFP+ devices that are hot-swappable or interchangeable. They're able to reduce expenditures for companies, particularly when devices fail prematurely since they don't have to completely turn off the system to exchange these devices. This is why it is so important to find devices that are hot-swappable in order to prevent complete redesigns and the excessively high costs associated with the practice. When devices have more flexibility and functionality, companies can save money and time.

Select SFP+ Transceivers and Cables to Optimize Your Design

SFP+ transceivers and cables can be utilized to optimize your design. Some of the SFP+ transceivers designers often choose is the 40 Gb/s QSFP+ transceiver. This specific device has four independent optical and transmit receiver channels. There are some high density modules that are combined with high density modules to provide exceptional performance. Most people are unaware of the functionality of these devices, however, when they are incorporated, they seem to perform well.

Verify Device Compatibility and Compliance

Compatibility and compliance are two of the primary problems that need to be resolved so that you can obtain an optimal design. To have optimal operability, designs should be able to interact and be compatible with other protocols which include Ethernet, SONET/SDH/OTN, fiber channel, and PON standards.

Know the Types of SFP+ Cables Available for Use

There are all kinds of SFP+ cables available for use such as the SFP+ direct attach cables, SFP+ active copper cables, passive SFP+ cable, and SFP+ Loopback Adapter Modules. When you know which is the best, you’ll choose the best cable and adapter for your design. Cables are offered in lengths up to 10 meters and can be utilized for daily use. Both passive and active SFP+ devices are available in addition to other various devices. These equipments can add significant functionality to a design if they are incorporated depending on the specifications and designs. Ask a professional and select the device that is best for your specific design.

Select the Device That Delivers Optimal Speeds

Efficient and fast devices are recommended for the best results. If you want to achieve optimal results, you should consider selecting the best device for the job. There are all types of devices available that will help you achieve your desired efficiency levels.

Choose and purchase SFP+ Transceivers and Cables

SFP+ is growing in popularity since they are affordable and also efficient. They complement any design as long as the appropriate device is selected. According to the options available and choose a device that’s hot-swappable for the best results. Your signal will degrade over long distances if an inappropriate device is chosen. Select the device that’s best for you.

Recommended SFP+ Transceivers and Cables

• 10G SR SFP+ JD092B HP compatible 10GBASE-SR SFP+ 850nm 300m
• 10G-SFPP-SR Brocade compatible 10GBASE-SR SFP+ 850nm 300m
• 10GBASE-SR SFP Fiberstore 10GBASE-SR SFP+ 850nm 300m Multi-Mode Fiber
• 10G SR SFP+ 850nm Cisco SFP-10G-SR Compatible 10GBASE-SR SFP+ 850nm 300m
• FTLX1471D3BCL Finisar compatible 10GBASE-LR SFP+ 1310nm 10km
• FTLX8571D3BCL Finisar compatible 10GBASE-SR SFP+ 850nm 300m

How to Choose the Right Network Face Plates

Although FTTx is now being widely applied, many places are not able to use optical fiber or FTTx. For example, CAT6 or CAT5e cables are still occupying a certain proportion comparing with fiber optic cables. In some places FTTx and CAT5e/CAT6 network cables are being operated at the same time. In the mentioned situations, network face plates should be taken into consideration during cabling.

Network Face Plate is usually a plastic plate with one or more ports, which allows copper network cables to run between rooms beneath floors and behind walls. It is important to choose appropriate network face plates or wall plates during cabling.

Before you install network face plates, you should know which ones satisfy your needs most. The face plates you choose should conform to the standard you have choosen for your overall system. A good choice of network face plates or wall plates will not only help to maintain the quality of your infrastructure, but also save valuable spaces and cost. How to select the appropriate network face plates and wall plates? The following will give you the answer.

First, you should make sure how many types of cables you need to run. Usually, people need multiple medium to maintain communication. For example, telephone, Internet and TV are always the "must-have" medium during home network cabling. They should be connected with different network face plates. You might need several network face plates separately with RJ45 port, RJ11 port and TV port. However, in many situations, those cables come into home from one location. Then, it could be really bothering to install these face plates one by one. In addition, it’s not space saving and the appearance is not nice. Luckily, you can find that many manufacturers are providing network face plates with multiple ports in one to meet your specific networking needs. For example, except the network face plate with one port, there are many other network face plates like the followings:

• Face plate with one or more RJ45 port(s) and one or more TV port(s)
• Face plate with a RJ45 port, RJ11 port and a TV port
• Face plate with a RJ45 port, a RJ11 port, as well as an electrical socket and switch

The first product in the picture shows a network face plate with two RJ45 ports and two TV ports. And the next is a network face plate with 3 RJ45 port and 1 RJ11.

In the market, you could even find RJ45 wall plate with a RJ45 port and a SC port for the situations in which both copper cable and fiber optic cable are being used.

The size of the network face plate is another thing should be considered during cabling. There are generally 3 types of standard network face plates. They are known as 86 type, 118 type and 120 type network face plates. 86 type network face plate is square, with a size of 86*86mm, with one to three ports. 118 type network face plate is a rectangle network face plate generally with a 118*72mm size or other sizes. 120 type network face plate usually has a size of 120*120mm, 120*60mm or other accordingly.

One more thing cannot be ignored during network cabling is the cable type. For example, you should choose fiber optic wall plates for fiber optic cabling. The most commonly used copper network cables are CAT5e or CAT6, then you should choose RJ45 jacks and plates or RJ45 faceplate. It is essential to make sure whether the network face plates are suitable for the cables you chose. By taking the mentioned aspects into consideration, you are sure to find the right network face plates for your needs.

More info: How to Choose The Fittest Network Face Plate

Knowledge of 1G 10G Dual-Rate Optical Transceiver

As data centers and enterprises strive to future proof their infrastructures while maximizing their current networks, the flexibility of true dual-rate compliant interfaces eases the transition to higher Gigabit Ethernet systems. This is why the dual-rate optical transceiver has emerged (e.g. Finisar FTLX8571D3BCV and FTLX1471D3BCV). And today, I'd like to talk something about the dual-rate optical transceiver, particularly the 1G/10G dual-rate SFP+.

The following figure shows Finisar FTLX8571D3BCV compatible 1G/10G Dual-Rate SFP+ optical transceiver

As its name suggests, dual-rate optical transceiver is a kind of optical transceiver which can support two different data rates. With the dual-rate optical transceiver, users can achieve the full forward and backward compatibility of their systems with a low cost. The common dual-rate optical transceivers in the today's market is the 1G/10G dual-rate SFP+ transceiver. They are compatible with either 10 Gigabit Ethernet or 1 Gigabit Ethernet fiber interface. There are many different vendors to supply the 1G/10G dual-rate SFP+, but the standards and protocols which they complied with are the same. In general, the 1G/10G dual-rate SFP+ are designed for use in 1 Gigabit and 10 Gigabit Ethernet links over single-mode or multi-mode fiber. They are compliant with SFF-8431, IEEE 802.3-2005 10GBASE-SR/SW, 10GBASE-LR and 1000BASE-SX, 1000BASE-LX. In addition, similar to most modern optical transceivers, digital diagnostics monitoring (DDM) or digital optical monitoring (DOM) functions are also available in the dual-rate SFP+, so that users can monitor many parameters of the transceiver module in real-time. Actually, with the development of technology and the increasing demands on higher Gigabit Ethernet, there are other dual-rate optical transceivers with different package styles or even at different data rates except the 1G/10G dual-rate SFP+, eg. Multi-rate XFP.

In my opinions, the emergence of dual-rate optical transceiver is mostly because of the cost consideration. From 1G to 10G, 10G to 40G, 40G to 100G, and even higher data rate, it means that the development of Gigabit Ethernet is very fast. In other words, the cost of updating the equipment keeps adding up over time. Dual-rate optical transceiver is a cost-effective solution to solve this question. For example, a 1G/10G dual-rate SFP+ can be used in both 1 Gigabit Ethernet and 10 Gigabit Ethernet links which eases the transition from 1Gb/s to 10Gb/s systems. Users can configure to operate the dual-rate optical transceivers at 1GbE or 10GbE in a switch with 10G SFP+ ports and 1G/10GSFP+ ports, but not native 1G SFP ports. And do not have to spend extra cost in buying optical transceivers only support 1G or 10G Ethernet. Of course, if you only need one type of Gigabit Ethernet, you do not need to use the dual-rate optical transceiver. So, at this time, the more cost-effective choice is to buy a corresponding single-rate optical transceiver. Nowadays, 10G Ethernet is the most commonly used type of Ethernet as the 40G and 100G are still developing. Thus, the market of 1G/10G dual-rate SFP+ is not so popular as its first emergence. But it is still applied in 1000BASE-SX 1G Ethernet, 1000BASE-LX 1G Ethernet, 10GBASE-SR/SW 10G Ethernet and 10GBASE-LR 10G Ethernet as a cost-effective solution for 1G/10G Ethernet.

From this paper, you may have an understanding of the dual-rate optical transceiver. No matter you are very familiar with the dual-rate optical transceiver or have no idea of it, I really hope that this paper is useful for you. Of course due to the limited knowledge of me, there may be some inevitable errors and omissions existing in this paper. If it is not appropriate, your critical comments are highly appreciated.

Read more articles about optical transceiver, go to click: Fiber Transceiver Solution blog

Aerial Fiber Cables Tutorial

Aerial fiber optic cables are an essential part of the optical communication networks. They are commonly used in our daily life, like hanging in the pole at the front of our house. How much do you know about the aerial fiber cables? This article can help you learn more about them.

As the aerial fiber optic cables are exposed in the outdoor environment, they have to be made of material which is different to the conventional fiber optic cables to withstand windy, rainy, icy and snowy weathers. What's more, the installation method is different from other cables. Therefore, there are different types of aerial fiber cables.

Types of Aerial Fiber Optic Cables

By installation methods, aerial fiber optic cables can be generally classified as two types: catenary wire and self-supporting. Catenary Wire Aerial Cable is regular outdoor loose tube cables that can utilize the existing overhead pole line to install that saves more in construction costs and shortens the construction period. Self-Supporting Aerial Cable, or All-Dielectric Self-Supporting (ADSS) cable, has cable bonded to an insulated steel or all-dielectric messenger for support. ADSS cables are usually made of heavier jackets and stronger metal or aramid strength members. Nowadays, the self-supporting aerial fiber optic cables are more widely used by people. And the most commonly used ADSS cables are figure-8 aerial cable.

Figure-8 Aerial Cable

Figure-8 aerial cable greatly simplifies the task of placing fiber optic cable on an aerial plant. It incorporates both a steel messenger and the core of a standard optical fiber cable into a single jacket of "Figure-8" cross-section. The combination of strand and optical fiber into a single cable allows rapid one-step installation and results in a more durable aerial plant. Figure 8 cable is commonly used between the poles in the outdoor.

Figure-8 Aerial Cable

Drop Cable

There is also another type of fiber optic cable, the intersecting face  of which showing the figure of 8, that is fiber optic drop cable. You should not confound them together.

With the emergence of access networks, including fiber to the business, fiber to the home and fiber to the premises, referred to collectively as FTTx, the demands  of new optimized products to meet increasing bandwidth needs are daily increased. One such product is optical drop cable. The conventional drop cable consists of two parallel reinforced core and an optical fiber in the middle of them. The intersecting surface present the figure of 8. Fiber drop cable is widely used in the FTTH networks.

FTTH Indoor Drop Cable

Self-Supporting Drop Cable (Aerial Drop Cable)

Add a thick steel wire line to the conventional drop cable, the self-supporting drop cable is formed. Self- supporting drop cable has a stronger tensile strength because of its metal hanging units. Therefore, we can also call it aerial drop cable. The aerial drop cable is designed to run from the distribution point to the subscriber. The metal unit will be clipped before entering to the subscriber. The biggest problem for aerial drop cable is that it's more expensive than conventional drop cables.

FTTH Aerial Drop Cable

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Marketing: Fiberstore supplies figure 8 areial cables, FTTH Indoor Cable, FTTH Drop Cable, FTTH Duct Armored Cable, etc. In order to cut inventory costs and speed up the installation process for our customers, Fiberstore's FTTH cable designs can simplify your project.

Article Source: How Much do you Know about Aerial Fiber Optic Cables?

The Introduction of EXFO OTDR

Optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR) is an optoelectronic instrument used to characterize an optical fiber. It can help you understand the whole system you test and can be used for estimating the fiber length and overall attenuation, including splice and mated-connector losses. It can also be used to locate faults, such as breaks, and to measure optical return loss. EXFO, as a famous brand of OTDR is a leading provider of next-generation test and service assurance solutions for wireless and wireline network operators and equipment manufacturers in the global telecom industry. It offers innovative solutions for the development, installation, management and maintenance of converged, IP fixed and mobile networks. This text mainly introduce EXFO OTDR.

OTDR is at the core of EXFO’s optical expertise. Leading the OTDR market with a 48% market share and the broadest OTDR portfolio, EXFO offers an OTDR built smart for any type of network.

Based on field knowledge and 20 years of OTDR expertise, EXFO’s OTDR is designed to meet network operators’ latest requirements. EXFO’s solutions can provide measurements you can trust by combining intelligence and accuracy with user-friendliness. It can also minimize truck rolls and accelerate workflow in the field.

With numerous singlemode and multimode configurations available at several wavelengths, EXFO OTDR comes in handheld or modular formats. And I’d like to recommand you the EXFO FTB series OTDR of them, especially the FTB-200 OTDR.

EXFO FTB-200 is a Compact Platform that can deliver the processing power of a high-end platform for a variety of advanced applications. The FTB-200 can Optimize all phases of the network lifecycle and house any of EXFO’s FTB one- or two-slot modules to meet your evolving needs. Configure your platform by combining optical, transport with datacom modules to cover a wide range of applications. The FTB-200 is the perfect tool for the field by offering power, speed and modularity in a compact format.

The ODTR is the main part of the FTB-200 Compact Platform. With the functions of locating a break or similar problem in a cable run and taking a snapshot of fibers before turning an installation over to a customer, it can  help you keep a permanent record of the state that fiber at any point in time and tell installers when fibers have been damaged or altered after installation, proving where responsibility for the damage lies.

EXFO FTB-200 is just one of devices of EXFO FTB series. Fiberstore also supplies OTDR of varies famous brands, such as JDSU MTS , YOKOGAWA AQ and so on. OEM portable and handheld OTDR are also available.

Article Source: The Introduction of EXFO OTDR

D-Link 1000BASE SFP Introduction

D-Link Introduction

As the leading brands of networking equipment maker, D-link devoted itself to develop, manufacture and sale Local Area Network (LAN), broadband network, wireless network and voice network products for the digital home, Small Office/Home Office (SOHO), Small to Medium Business (SMB) and Work-group in the worldwide. Energy conservation and environmental protection are always the primary goal for D-link. There are many fiber products from D-link. Today, I will introduce an essential part of the switches product line-the D-Link 1000BASE SFP transceiver modules.

About D-Link's SFP Modules

D-Link's new line of GBIC and SFP transceivers represent an industry leading combination of performance and affordability. D-Link's new Gigabit transceivers are available in two form-factors: standard (GBIC) or (SFP) /mini-GBIC. SFP modules can be used and interchanged on a wide variety of switches and routers. And SFP modules also can be intermixed in combinations of 1000BASE-T, 1000BASE-SX, 1000BASE-LX/LH, 1000BASE-EX, 1000BASE-ZX, or 1000BASE-BX10-D/U on a port-by-port basis.

D-Link 1000BASE-T SFP

The D-Link DGS-712 1000BASE-T is based on the SFP Multi Source Agreement (MSA). It is compatible with the Gigabit Ethernet and 1000BASE-T standards as specified in IEEE 802.3z and 802.3ab. The DGS-712 plugs into any standard SFP interface and allows for 1000Base-T Gigabit transmission over standard Category 5 twisted pair copper.

Key Features

• Product Type: SFP transceiver module
• Data Rate: 1Gbps
• Wavelength: N/A
• Transfer Distance: 100m
• Connector Type: RJ45
• Cable Type: Copper

D-Link 1000BASE-SX SFP

D-Link DEM-311GT 1000BASE-SX SFP 850nm transceiver module supporting dual data-rate of 1.25Gbps/1.0625Gbps and 550km transmission distance with Multi-mode Fiber (MMF). It was designed to meet Gigabit Ethernet and 1 times Fibre Channel application networking. It fully comply with the SFP Multi-Sourcing Agreement to meet the network upgrade needs.

Key Features

• Product Type: SFP transceiver module
• Data Rate: 1Gbps
• Wavelength: 850nm
• Transfer Distance: 550m
• Connector Type: LC Duplex
• Cable Type: Multi-Mode Fiber (MMF)

D-Link 1000BASE-LX SFP

D-Link DEM-310GT is the 1000BASE-LX LC SFP 1310nm transceiver module. It supports dual data-rate of 1.25Gbps/1.0625Gbps and 10km transmission distance with Single-mode Fiber (SMF). With a metal housing, it can effectively reduce Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI) and increase durability.

Key Features

• Product Type: SFP transceiver module
• Data Rate: 1Gbps
• Wavelength: 1310nm
• Transfer Distance: 10km
• Connector Type: LC Duplex
• Cable Type: Single-Mode Fiber (SMF)

D-Link's SFP Module Alternative Solution

Fiberstore offers third party optical transceivers. All the D-Link SFP transceiver is certified 100% compatible with D-Link switch and router product lines. Fiberstore provides D-Link DGS-712, D-Link DEM-311GT, DEM-310GT Compatible D-Link 1000BASE SFP interface. All the SFP transceiver modules are 100% tested before shipping and have a lifetime warranty.

Article Source: D-Link's SFP Module Alternative Solution

Fiber Termination Box Overview

What Is Fiber Termination Box?

Fiber termination box or fiber optic terminal box, which generally refers to a box shape cable management product used to protect and distribute the optical fiber links. It is small size and compact, used in FTTX cabling, including fiber cabling and cable management. Fiber termination box can be regarded as the mini size of fiber optic patch panel and ODF.

Types Of Fiber Termination Box

Usually the fiber termination boxes include fiber optic patch panel and fiber terminal box. Fiber optic patch panel is bigger size, while fiber terminal box is smaller. However, there are too many fiber optic termination boxes and cable management devices that it is hard to count their types. Many manufacturers will make the fiber optic termination boxes according to their own design and give the fiber optic termination boxes different names and model numbers.

Fiber Optic Patch Panels are usually 19 inch size. They can be wall mounted type or rack mounted type, and they have the tray inside the fiber box to hold and protect the fiber links. They can be pre-installed with various kinds of fiber optic adapters, which are the interface via that the fiber box will connect the external devices.

Fiber Optic Terminal Boxes are also used for fiber optic distribution and organization. Typical fiber terminal boxes are with 12 ports or 24 ports, with a size of 270mm*137mm*45mm. However, FiberStore can offer 8 ports, 36 ports, 48 ports and 96 ports fiber terminal boxes. They are made of cold rolling steel and the surface of the boxes use the technique of dim blowing plastic. They are typically installed with FC or ST adapters on the panel on the wall or put in horizontal line.

Fiber termination box types are mainly described as Rack Mount and Wall Mount:

Rack Mount Fiber Termination Box

The rack mount slide-out type fiber termination box performs fiber splicing, distribution, termination, patching, storage and management in one unit. They support both cross-connect and interconnect architecture, and provide interfaces between outside plant cables and transmission equipment.

Wall Mount Fiber Termination Box

The wall mount fiber termination boxes are designed for either preconnectorized cables, field installation of connectors, or field splicing of pigtails. They are ideal for building entrance terminals, telecommunication closets, main crossconnects, computer rooms and other controlled environments.

Fiber termination box types also include indoor and outdoor:

Indoor Fiber Termination Box

For example, FTTH floor terminal box is specifically designed to be installed on each level of a multi-dwelling unit (MDU) building for fiber to the home applications. It is the transition point between the riser and the horizontal cable and provides operators with optimum flexibility. It provides storage for both overlength and terminated fibers as well as serving as a splice point.

Outdoor Fiber Termination Box

The outdoor fiber terminal boxes are environmentally sealed enclosures to distribution fibers for FTTX networks. They are also designed for fiber splicing, termination, and cable management.

Structure Of Fiber Termination Box

Fiber termination box consists of the shell, the internals (supporting frame, set fiber disc, fixing device) and optical fiber joint protective element. It has advantages of cable-fixing, welding, and play protection role in machinery of the optical fiber and its components ,and environment.

Fiber termination box requires a insulation between cable metal components and cable terminal box shell, and can be easily drawn out of ground. It is able to provide a place of cable terminal and a room to storage the remaining fiber, easy to install, and having a sufficient impact strength box to be fixed, that facilitate the installation of different occasions. If necessary, it should have a function of connecting cable branching.

Applications Of Fiber Termination Box

Fiber termination box is suitable for fixing the end of fiber and splicing the fiber pigtail, meantime it protects fiber splice tie-in and helps to distribute fiber. Termination box is mainly used in telecom equipment room or network equipment room.

Fiber termination box is available for the distribution and termination connection for various kinds of fiber optic systems, especially suitable for mini-network terminal distribution, in which the optical cables, patch cores or pigtails are connected.

Article Source: Fiber Termination Box Tutorial

What are the differences between LX, LH and LX/LH?

We usually see LX SFP, LH SFP and LX/LH SFP on many websites, and many people show their confusion about them. Whether they are the same or different? If they are dissimilar, what differences between them on earth?

The Commonly Used 1000BASE-X Standards about Ethernet
Ethernet was the result of the research done at Xerox PARC in the early 1970s. Ethernet later evolved into a widely implemented physical and link layer protocol. Fast Ethernet increased speed from 10 to 100 megabits per second (Mbit/s). Gigabit Ethernet was the next iteration, increasing the speed to 1000 Mbit/s. The initial standard for Gigabit Ethernet was produced by the IEEE in June 1998 as IEEE 802.3z, and required optical fiber. 802.3z is commonly referred to as 1000BASE-X, which is used in industry to refer to Gigabit Ethernet transmission over fiber, where options include 1000BASE-SX, 1000BASE-LX, 1000BASE-LX10, 1000BASE-BX10 or the non-standard -EX and -ZX implementation.

Gigabit Ethernet 1000BASE-LX Optical Interface Specifications
1000BASE-LX is a fiber optic Gigabit Ethernet standard specified in IEEE 802.3 Clause 38 which uses a long wavelength laser (1,270–1,355nm). The 1000BASE-LX SFP is specified to work over a distance of up to 5km over single mode fiber and it can also run over all common types of multi mode fiber with a maximum segment length of 550m. For link distances greater than 300m, you must install a mode-conditioning patch cord between the transceiver and the MMF cable on both ends of the link.

1000BASE-LH and 1000BASE-LX/LH Optical Interface Specifications
LH refers to Long Haul. Many vendors use both LH and LX/LH for certain SFP modules, but they aren’t a Gigabit Ethernet standard at all. 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP can achieve a distance up to 25km over single mode fiber. Unlike 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP, 1000BASE-LH SFP operates a distance up to 70km over single mode fiber.

Conclusion
In a word, the 1000BASE-LX, 1000BASE-LH and 1000BASE-LX/LH are all refer to Gigabit Ethernet transmission. Among them, the 1000BASE-LX is a standard, the 1000BASE-LH and 1000BASE-LX/LH just are terms widely used by vendors. Other long haul transmission standards include 1000BASE-LX10, 1000BASE-EX and 1000BASE-ZX. We can see their differences more clearly in the following chart:

Name	Medium	wavelength	Specified distance
1000BASE-LX/LH	9/125 Single mode fiber	1310nm	10km
1000BASE-LX	62.5/125, 50/125 Multi mode fiber	1310nm	550m
1000BASE-LX10	9/125 Single mode fiber	1310nm	10km
1000BASE-LH	9/125 Single mode fiber	1310nm	25~70km
1000BASE-EX	9/125 Single mode fiber	1310nm	40km
1000BASE-ZX	9/125 Single mode fiber	1550nm	70km

Fiberstore is a professional OEM manufacturer and supplier of optical networking solutions. Fiberstore's 1000BASE-LX SFP and 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP is 100% compatible with major brands like Cisco, HP, Juniper, Nortel, D-link, Netgear and Brocade. We can see the order information clearly in the following chart:

Brand	Models	Description
Fiberstore	SFP-1G31-10-xx	1.25Gbps 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP 1310nm 10km SMF
Cisco	GLC-LX-SM-RGD	Cisco GLC-LX-SM-RGD Compatible 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP 1310nm 10km IND
D-Link	DEM-310GT	D-Link DEM-310GT Compatible 1000BASE-LX SFP 1310nm 10km SMF
HP	J4859C	HP J4859C Compatible 1000BASE-LX SFP 1310nm 10km SMF
HP	JD119B	HP JD119B X120 Compatible 1000BASE-LX SFP 1310nm 10km SMF
Netgear	AGM732F	Netgear AGM732F Compatible 1000BASE-LX SFP 1310nm 10km SMF
Brocade	E1MG-LX-OM	Brocade E1MG-LX-OM Compatible 1000BASE-LX SFP 1310nm 10km DDM SMF
Brocade	E1MG-LX-OM-T	Brocade E1MG-LX-OM-T Compatible 1000BASE-LX SFP 1310nm 10km DDM IND
Linksys	MGBLX1	Linksys MGBLX1 Compatible 1000BASE-LX SFP SMF

Wall Plates Overview

Wall plates that you see every day, in just about every room, but you think about them not very often. There is a good chance you are not aware of the sheer variety of options out there when it comes to customizing your wall plates. Everyone knows about the traditional electrical wall plate, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. There are telephone wall plates, gang wall plates, RJ45 face plate and keystone wall plates, among other A/V and data options. There are fiber optic wall plate and network face plate that are customizable in pretty much any way you can think of. This paper can give you a comprehensive understanding of wall plates.

Introduction of Wall Plates
Wall plate, or wallplate, is a highly configurable wall plate outlet products, available in both single-gang and double-gang configurations. It is designed for use within Fiber-To-The-Desk (FTTD) applications but may also be used to connect telephones and other peripherals to a network.

Wall plates protect electrical outlets and accommodate a variety of cabling solutions such as coaxial, twisted pair, fiber, and HDMI cables. Wall plates protect your network by keeping your connections safe from dust, physical damage, and foreign objects. The following figure shows us a RJ45 wall plate.

A variety of fiber and copper adapters may be loaded in the wall plate outlet in any configuration. These adapters may be purchased individually or preloaded into the wall plate outlet. The wall plate outlet is also available with angled faces that allow fiber connectors and jumpers(i.e. fiber patch cables/cords) to easily transition and exit down the wall, a 4 port wall plate (4-Port SC interface) as shown in the figure below.

According to different networks, there are mainly two types of wall plates: fiber optic network wall plates, copper network wall plates.

Fiber Optic Network Wall Plates
Fiber optic network wall plates, or fiber optic wall plates, are wall plates that designed to bring fiber to the desk and widely used in multi-floor and high building, including bevel fiber optic wall plates with 45° adapter plug-in/out angle and hybrid fiber optic wall plates/outlets. The wall plates are available with LC, SC, ST, FC adapters. They can be applied in FTTH access, telecommunication, CATV, data communication networks etc.

Copper Network Wall Plates
Copper network wall plates, or network faceplates and network outlet faceplates, are something everyone has a passing familiarity with, but few people know how many different varieties there are. In addition to your usual 1, 2, and 3 gang duplex receptacles and toggle switch covers, there are also duplex/phone combinations; face plates for VGA, Cat5e, Cat6, S-Video, RCA and BNC connector modules; and red engraved plates for emergency use.

Outlet faceplates use a double gang faceplate for standard administrative outlet locations, with connectors for all copper and fiber optic cable. Standard administrative outlets may, by specific user request, use single gang outlet faceplates in conjunction with a reducing ring. For single gang outlet boxes, use a single gang outlet faceplate with appropriate connector locations and, if required, mounting lugs for wall phones. Outlet faceplate must include two blanks position for future applications.

Reference Document: Wall Plates Tutorial

The Recognition of Optical Transceiver

Optical Transceiver Overview

What is an Optical Transceiver Module?
A fiber optical transceiver is a device that can send and receive optical information. By using an optical transceiver, network spend less space and steer clear of the necessity of getting a transmitter and receiver in the network. Able to transmit information further and faster than older models, the more recent transceivers are utilized and appearance, creating more compact, smaller sized modules than ever before.

How does it work?
A fiber optic transceiver is a accessory acclimated to forward and accept optical information. There are a number of different components on these devices, including a light source and an electrical component. The transceiver has two ends, one that an optical cable plugs into and accession for abutting an electrical device. Fiber optic transceivers combine a fiber optic transmitter and a fiber optic receiver in a single module. They are arranged in parallel so that they can operate independently of each other. Both the receiver and the transmitter have their own circuitry and can handle transmissions in both directions. In fiber optic data links, the transmitter converts an electrical signal into an optical signal, which is coupled with a connector and transmitted through a fiber optic cable. The light from the end of the cable is coupled to a receiver, where a detector converts the light back into an electrical signal. Either a light emitting diode (LED) or a laser diode is used as the light source.

Principle of Optical Transceiver Modules
Optical transceiver generally includes both a transmitter and a receiver in a single module. The transmitter and receiver are arranged in parallel so that they can operate independently of each other. Both the receiver and the transmitter have their own circuitry so that they can handle transmissions in both directions. The transmitter takes an electrical input and converts it to an optical output from a laser diode or LED. The light from the transmitter is coupled into the fiber with a connector and is transmitted through the fiber optic cable plant. The light from the end of the fiber is coupled to a receiver where a detector converts the light into an electrical signal which is then conditioned properly for use by the receiving equipment.

Application of Optical Transceiver Modules
Optical transceiver, essentially just completed the converted of data between different media, can realize the connection between two switches or computers in the 0-120km distance. Its main function is to achieve the conversion between optical-electrical and electrical-optical, including optical power control, modulation transmission, signal detection, IV conversion and limiting amplifier decision regeneration. In addition, there are some functions like security information query, TX-disable. Here is a summary in the practical application.

1. Optical transceivers can interconnect with switches.
2. Optical transceivers can interconnect between the switch and the computer.
3. Optical transceivers can interconnect with computers.
4. Optical transceivers can act as the transmission repeater.
   When the actual transfer distance exceeds the nominal transmission distance of the transceiver, in particular, the actual transfer distance exceeds 120km alerts, with 2 sets transceiver back to back in the case of on-site conditions allow, repeaters or the use of "optical-optical" conversiona relay, is a very cost-effective solution.
5. Optical transceivers can offer conversion between single-mode and multimode fiber connection.
   When the networks appear to need a single multimode fiber connection, you can use a multimode transceiver and a single-mode transceiver back-to-back connections, which can solve the problem of single multimode fiber converted.
6. Optical transceivers can offer WDM transmission.
   The lack of resources of long-distance fiber optic cable, in order to improve the utilization rate of the fiber optic cable, and reduce the cost, transceiver and wavelength division multiplexer (WDM multiplexer) with the use of two-way information on the same fiber transmission.

Optical Transceiver modules can be classified according to the following aspects.

1. Optical Fiber Type
Single-mode fiber transceiver and Multimode fiber transceiver. The single-mode version has a transmission distance of 20 to 120 km, while the multimode one's is 2 to 5 km. Due to the different transmission distance, the transceivers' transmit power, receiver sensitivity and the use of wavelength will be different.

2. Optical Fiber Count
Simplex fiber transceiver and Duplex fiber transceiver. The simplex version receives the data sent in a single fiber transmission, While the duplex one receives data transmitted on a dual fiber transmission.By definition, single fiber devices can save half of the fiber, a fiber that is in the receive and transmit data, where the fiber is very applicable to resource constraints. These products use the wavelength division multiplexing techniques, mostly using the wavelength 1310nm and 1550nm.

3. Transmission Rate
Transmission rate refers to the number of gigabits transmitted per second, per unit of Mbps or Gbps. Optical modules cover the following main rate: low rates, Fast, Gigabit, 1.25G, 2.5G, 4.25G, 4.9G, 6G, 8G, 10G and 40G.

4. Package
SFP, SFP+, GBIC, XFP, XENPAK, X2, 1X9, SFF, 200/3000pin, XPAK, etc.

Fiberstore Optical Transceiver Solution

Fiberstore is a worldwide leading manufacturer & supplier of compatible fiber optical transceivers. We produce and stock for a full range of transceivers such as SFP Plus (SFP+), X2, XENPAK, XFP, SFP, GBIC. In the market, there are many brands of fiber optic transceiver, HP, Cisco, NETGEAR, Finisar, Dell, etc. The following table is the order information of HP SFP transceiver:

Part No.	Description
SFP-1GT-1MA-HP	HP JD089B X120 compatible 1000BASE-T SFP Copper RJ45 100m
SFP-1G85-5MA-HP	HP JD118B X120 compatible 1000BASE-SX SFP 850nm 550m DDM MMF
SFP-1G31-10A-HP	HP JD119B X120 compatible 1000BASE-LX SFP 1310nm 10km SMF
SFP-1G85-5ME-HP	HP J4858B X121 compatible 1000BASE-SX SFP 850nm 550m MMF
SFP-1G85-5MF-HP	HP J4858C X121 compatible 1000BASE-SX SFP 850nm 550m MMF
SFP-1GT-1MD-HP	HP J8177C X121 compatible 1000BASE-T SFP Copper RJ45 100m
SFP-1G31-10F-HP	HP J4859C X121 compatible 1000BASE-LX SFP 1310nm 10km SFP SMF
BLSFP-1G34-10-HP	HP J9143B X122 compatible 1000BASE 1310nmTX/1490nmRX BIDI SFP 10km SMF

Article Source: The Recognition of Fiber Optic Transceiver

Fluke 117 Electrician's Multimeter Review

Fluke 117 Overview

The Fluke 117 is simply amazing multimeter for demanding settings like hospitals and schools and commercial buildings. The Fluke 117 multimeter includes integrated non-contact voltage detection to avoid secondary voltage detection tools for that purpose.

With its integrated non-contact voltage detection and the AutoV/LoZ function preventing false readings caused by ghost voltage, the Fluke 117 Electrician's Multimeter is the ideal multimeter for electricians. The Fluke 117 includes integrated non-contact voltage detection to help get the job done faster.

Compared to other Fluke multimeters it’s quite smaller and compact. The Fluke 117 weights about 400 grams. The Fluke 117 is ergonomically designed to give you a comfort hand holding with a compact size which provides an easy one handed operation off the device.

Fluke 117 Features

• Built-in VoltAlert sensing circuit for non contact voltage detection
• AutoVolT (Auto-V) automatically determines ac/dc voltage selection
• LoZ: Low impedance input allows added measurement confidence against ghost voltage
• Large white LED backlight for excellent viewing in all working conditions
• True-rms for accurate measurements on non-linear loads
• Quality resistance, continuity, frequency and capacitance functions
• Min/Max/Average to record signal fluctuations
• CAT III 600 V safety rated

What Current Owners Have to Say About it

By DeusEx (United States)

The Fluke 110 series is Fluke's cheapest "Fluke Branded" line. It's a Fluke so you know you're getting an instrument worth its salt. The 117 is the most feature packed and highest priced in the series. It's a smaller form factor than some of the other Fluke meters. It features all the traditional fields that you'll find on most modern DMMs. Volts AC (True RMS) & DC both to 600V. A full mV range. Resistance, continuity, diode check, capacitence, and frequency. It features Amps AC & DC to 10A however it lacks a mV and uV range since this is an electrician's meter, not an electronics meter. Two more modes it offers are volt alert and LoZ.

By Allan York ( Gardnerville, NV USA )

I bought the Fluke 117 Multimeter as a replacement for my old and very tired Fluke 77 Multimeter. This is a great meter for the price, I love all the new features Fluke has put in. If I have any gripe it's that the leads don't stow on the back like the model 77. If you need a quality Multimeter at a decent price grab one of these.

Where to Buy Reliable Quality Network Test Equipment

To find more common used fiber optic testers from Fiberstore, include optical multimeter, visual fault locator, RJ45 tester, underground wire tracer, bit error rate tester and phone line tester. Fiberstore provide reliable quality fiber  testers in accordance with telecom, military, aerospace and other industry standards.

Media Options for 10 Gigabit Ethernet

Despite strong growth in 10GbE deployments, 10GbE has yet to achieve mass market Data Center adoption, due to a number of limitations, primarily around cost, power consumption, and cabling options. The following section outlines several of these limitations in greater detail and discusses how the current generation of 10GBASE-T technologies removes them going forward.

10GBASE-CX4

10GBASE-CX4 was an early favorite for 10 GbE deployments, but its adoption was limited by bulky and expensive cables and limited reach of 15 meters. The large size of the CX4 connector, when compared to other interface options, prohibited higher switch port densities, specifically with 1RU top of rack switches and modular switch chassis. Moreover, pathways and spaces were not sufficient to handle the larger cables.

SFP+ Transceiver

SFP+'s support for both fiber optic cables and DAC make it a more flexible solution than CX4. SFP+ connectors are smaller than CX4 connectors and offer comparable port densities to their GbE counterparts. SFP+ DAC is the leading 10GbE interface today, but its limitations in reach and cost will prevent this media from becoming the de facto cabling and interface technology for 10GbE.

10GBASE-SR (SFP+ Fiber)

Cabling with Fiber is great for latency and distance (up to 300 meters). Fiber cabling coupled with optical transceivers offers the best power consumption footprint, however it is more expensive than other 10GbE media types; optical transceivers can add up to 30-40% to server, switch, and storage interface costs. The fiber electronics can be four to five times more expensive than their copper counterparts, meaning that ongoing active maintenance, typically based on original equipment purchase price, is also more expensive. This drives up both the acquisition costs as well as the ongoing annual maintenance contracts. Further, the vast majority of SFP+ connections are sold as add-in server adapters, as opposed to 10GBASE-T connections, which are now integrated on server motherboards. This add-in model adds cost and maintenance overhead.

10GBASE-SFP+ DAC

DAC cable is a copper 10 Gigabit Ethernet cable which comes in either an active or passive Twinax (twinaxial) cable assembly and connects directly into an SFP+ housing. The active Twinax cable has active electronic components in the SFP+ housing to improve the signal quality; the passive Twinax cable is just a straight "wire" and contains no active components. The adoption rate of DAC for LAN on Motherboard (LOM) will be low, since it does not have the flexibility and reach of 10GBASE-T. With top of rack deployments, it is very difficult to use all the switch ports purchased due the generally lower number of server adapter ports and the limited reach of the cables. These unused ports carry an initial cost outlay and require power (even in idle mode) and maintenance costs, making them expensive on an ongoing basis.

Meida Options for 10 Gigabit Ethernet

10GBASE-SR (SFP+ Fiber)

• OEM 10GBASE-SR SFP MMF multi-mode 850nm 300m transceiver for duplex optical data communications such as 10GBASE-SR and 10GBASE-SW
• Cisco SFP-10G-SR compatible 10G SR SFP+ 850nm Transceiver Module MMF
• Finisar FTLX8571D3BCV compatible 1000BASE-SX, 10GBASE-SR and 10GBASE-SW 850nm 300m Transceiver Module MMF
• HP JD092B X130 compatible 10GBASE-SR SFP+ 850nm 300m Transceiver Module
• Brocade 10G-SFPP-SR compatible 10GBASE-SR SFP+ 850nm 300m Transceiver Module

10GBASE-SFP+ DAC

• Cisco SFP-H10GB-CU1M, Up to 10.5G, 1m AWG30, passive copper
• Cisco SFP-H10GB-CU1-5M, Up to 10.5G, 1.5m; AWG30, passive copper
• Cisco SFP-H10GB-CU2M, Up to 10.5G, 2m; AWG30, passive copper
• Cisco SFP-H10GB-CU3M, Up to 10.5G, 3m; AWG30, passive copper
• Cisco SFP-H10GB-CU5M, Up to 10.5G, 5m; AWG24, passive copper
• Cisco SFP-10G-AOC1M, SFP+ AOC, fiber, 10G, 1m
• Cisco SFP-10G-AOC3M, SFP+ AOC, fiber, 10G, 3m

Compatibility Issues of Cisco Compatible SFP module

There are some compatibility issues that I have to solved when installing a Third Party Cisco Compatible SFP modules into the switches.

Q: I am trying to work out which Third Party Cisco Compatible SFP Transceiver might work in an Aerohive switch. Maybe somebody here already tried?

A: The answer is that most should work. Cisco normally buys their components from the more reputable brands like Agilent, and the best of my knowledge, most Cisco (if not all) SFPs should work just fine. For example, GLC-T module Cisco 1000BASE-T SFP, Cisco SFP-10G-SR, I can reach the Aerohive switch, and seems to be working well. So I suggest you not buy no-name SFPs that have no warranty, but in general any reputable brand should work fine.

Q: The 10G SFPs I ordered directly from Aerohive were manufactured by source photonics, so it looks like even the ones that are Aerohive branded are still Third Party optics?

A: Because this is exactly the same with all vendors of all networking equipment. Optics are manufactured elsewhere and simply branded. The APs are not physically constructed by Aerohive ether, those are by ODM companies like Senao. This is the same ones with most vendors. Because of commoditisation of parts, the key differentiator is today in the software and the spec that the ODM is asked to work to. Most people just purchase a few of the 'supported' optics to swap in when the need arises to open a support case. Actually it seems to be a method of extortion by various vendors when mixed with as much FUD stirring as they can manage. There are certainly low quality optics out there that don't work nicely or have high failure rates, but compatibility issues are nearly always deliberately imposed.

A quick correction, Cisco and other vendors actually do design and build their APs. The fact that ODMs manufacture them does not mean that they are just buying Cisco and other vendors APs off the shelf. Most APs use reference designs for the CPU etc, but to build a reliable AP, Cisco need to own the RF side and they do. They design their own radio modules.

Another Issue about SFP module compatibility:

I just received and installed an Aerohive SR2124P switch and I have installed a 10G SFP+ SR optic into the switch, but the media and type are showing "unknown" for the optic. Is that normal for the 10G optics to show in this way? Currently I do not have an 10gig Aerohive original SFP+. I have installed a 3rd party 10G SFP+, and the optic links, and passes traffic with no issue (even though it is not an Aerohive SFP+). Since it shows "unknown" in the switch, I was just curious to see if any Aerohive Original (which I believe is a Source Photonics optic) would show up differently in the machine. I have used both Aerohive and HP modules both 1gb and 10gbe SFP+ SR with no issues, literally just attach it in. If another brand, it's possible the GBIX is at fault. Has anyone ever tried it?

More FAQs about SFP module, please visit Fiber Opitc Transceiver Solutions.