Fake SFP and the Third Party SFP

It appears to be an old topic that whether using compatible SFP transceiver is reliable. We have previously discussed this topic couple of days ago. For certain, the reply is affirmative. In this paper we discuss Faked SFP and the Third Party SFP. As examples, there are Cisco SFP module and Brocade SFP module.

It Is A Faked SFP?

Like a break pad an SFP is somewhat a consumable. Light is converted into an electric signal and vice versa, produces heat and the components wear out over time. Some sooner, some later. When you bought the SFPs from Cisco for a switch under Cisco warranty or maintenance, broken SFPs will be substituted for free. However, if you simply decide to purchase an SFP, you will find after having a quick web search that there are lots of supplier out there providing the same SFP for a much cheaper price than Cisco. And with "the same SFP" I mean they provide exactly the same Cisco part number - for example SFP-GE-L . That's an Cisco 1000BASE-LX SFP 1310nm 10km EXT DDM Transceiver Module.

Really The Same SFP?

Absolutely not - even though they claim it to be the same. Their usual explanation is, that all these SFPs are coming from the same manufacturer anyway. SFPs are built using open standards based on T11 and for that reason they must be compatible per se. I can tell from several occasions: That's not true. There is obviously more than one SFP manufacturer and I'm sure each of you know a handful offhand. In addition: Even in times before 8G there were SFPs working much better with certain switches than others.

Utilizing the 8G platform Brocade decided to offer Brocade branded SFPs and restricted their switches to only support them and to refuse others (beside of very few exceptions for CWDM SFPs). So Brocade took control over which SFPs can be used and they were able to fine tune their ASICs to allow better signal handling and transmission. To enforce that the switch checks the vendor information from the SFP to determine if it's a Brocade branded one. Cisco does the same thing for the SFPs in their switches.

Faked SFP vs Third Party SFP

First, we must realize that Third Party SFP isn't faked SFP. If you are seeking further savings on your own network, consider Third Party SFP. When you purchase from a vendor with their own in-house shop, and guaranteed warranty, you get a purchase that's as reliable as new, at a fraction of the original costs. In my opinion, if you have enough budget, It is best to buy the original one. It doesn’t mean that the compatible one is as not good as the original one but you could save more time in thinking about this question. If you care about the cost, compatible one is the best choice, I suggest you choose the OEM manufacturers.

OEM manufacturers Recommendation

Fiberstore is a OEM manufacturer that provide customized solutions for fiber optics needs, As a Cisco OEM SFP transceiver provider, they offer a series of Cisco comaptible SFP modules which can be equivalent to Cisco GLC-T, Cisco GLC-SX-MM, Cisco GLC-LH-SM, Cisco GLC-ZX-SM, and Cisco CWDM SFP, Cisco DWDM SFP, etc. All their SFP transceivers are 100% compatible with major brands as follows and backed by a lifetime warranty.

Pluggable Optics For Juniper EX3200 Switches

High-performance businesses demand high-performance networking solutions. The Juniper Networks EX3200 line of Ethernet switches offer a compact, high- performance solution for supporting today’s converged network access deployments. This paper is about Juniper SFPtransceivers and SFP+ DAC cables for Juniper EX3200 Ethernet Switches solution.

EX3200 Ethernet Switches Description

The EX3200 line of fixed-configuration switches from Juniper Networks offer a high-performance standalone solution for access-layer deployments in branch and remote offices as well as campus networks.

Figure 1: The EX3200 line of Ethernet switches provide a high-performance solution for converged networks in branch offices as well as campus wiring closets.

Featuring complete Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching capabilities, the EX3200 satisfies the wiring closet connectivity requirements of today’s high-performance businesses. Four platform configurations are available offering 24 and 48 10/100/1000BASE-T ports with either full or partial Power over Ethernet (PoE). The base 24- and 48-port EX3200 switches deliver up to 18.6 watts of Class 3 PoE on the first eight ports for supporting networked devices such as telephones, video cameras and wireless LAN (WLAN) access points in converged networks. The EX3200 switches with full PoE deliver up to 18.6 watts on all 24 or 48 ports to support high-density IP telephony and other converged network environments.

High Availability Features:

• Field-replaceable power supplies: The EX3200 supports field- replaceable AC and DC power supplies, reducing MTTR.
• Hot-swappable fan tray: The EX3200 includes a hot-swappable, field-replaceable fan tray, reducing MTTR.
• Carrier-class hardware: The EX3200 leverages a purpose-built packet forwarding engine ASIC—the EX-PFE—which integrates much of the same intellectual property used in Juniper Networks carrier routers. As a result, the EX3200 delivers the same predictable, scalable functionality found in the world’s largest networks.
• Redundant Trunk Group (RTG): To avoid the complexities of the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) without sacrificing network resiliency, the EX3200 employs a redundant trunk group to provide the necessary port redundancy and simplify switch configuration.

Pluggable Optics For EX3200 Switches

• EX-SFP-1GE-T, SFP 10/100/1000BASE-T copper; RJ-45 connector; 100m reach on UTP
• EX-SFP-1GE-SX, SFP 1000BASE-SX; LC connector; 850nm; 550m reach on multimode fiber
• EX-SFP-1GE-LX, SFP 1000BASE-LX; LC connector; 1310nm; 10km reach on single-mode fiber
• SFP 1000BASE-BX; Tx 1550nm/Rx 1310nm for 10km transmission on single-strand, single-mode fiber
• EX-SFP-1GE-LH, SFP 1000BASE-LH; LC connector; 1550nm; 70km reach on single-mode fiber
• EX-XFP-10GE-SR, XFP 10GBASE-SR; LC connector; 850nm; 300m reach on 50 microns multimode fiber; 33m on 62.5 microns multimode fiber
• EX-XFP-10GE-LR, XFP 10GBASE-LR; LC connector; 1310nm; 10km reach on single-mode fiber
• EX-XFP-10GE-ER, XFP 10GBASE-ER; LC connector; 1550nm; 40km reach on single-mode fiber
• EX-XFP-10GE-ZR, XFP 10GBASE-ZR; LC connector; 1550nm; 80km reach on single-mode fiber
• EX-SFP-10GE-SR, SFP+ 10GBASE-SR; LC connector; 850nm; 300m reach on 50 microns multimode fiber;
  33m on 62.5 microns multimode fiber
• EX-SFP-10GE-LRM, SFP+ 10GBASE-LRM; LC connector; 1310nm; 220m reach on multimode fiber
• EX-SFP-10GE-LR, SFP+ 10GBASE-LR; LC connector; 1310nm; 10km reach on single-mode fiber
• EX-SFP-10GE-DAC-1M, SFP+ 10 Gigabit Ethernet Direct Attach Copper (twinax copper cable), 1m
• EX-SFP-10GE-DAC-3M, SFP+ 10 Gigabit Ethernet Direct Attach Copper (twinax copper cable), 3m
• EX-SFP-10GE-DAC-5M, SFP+ 10 Gigabit Ethernet Direct Attach Copper (twinax copper cable), 5m

3rd-party Pluggable Optics Recommendation

To save more money, I suggest that compatible 3rd Optical Modules may be another good choice but you should ensure that your vendor is reliable. Fiberstore's SFP+ cables and fiber optic transceivers are 100% compatible with major brands, they are backed by a lifetime warranty so that you can buy with confidence. Additionally, customize optical transceivers to fit your specific requirements are available. If you have any requirement of fiber optics, Fiberstore will be a good choice for you.

How to Install or Remove QSFP Transceiver Module

QSFP/QSFP+ Installing Steps

Step 1: Attach an ESD wrist strap to yourself and a properly grounded point on the chassis or the rack.

Step 2: Remove the QSFP+ transceiver module from its protective packaging.

Step 3: Check the label on the QSFP+ transceiver module body to verify that you have the correct model for your network.

Step 4: For optical QSFP+ transceivers, remove the optical bore dust plug and set it aside.

Step 5: For transceivers equipped with a bail-clasp latch: a. Keep the bail-clasp aligned in a vertical position. b. Align the QSFP+ transceiver in front of the module's transceiver socket opening and carefully slide the QSFP+ transceiver into the socket until the transceiver makes contact with the socket electrical connector.

Step 6: For QSFP+ transceivers equipped with a pull-tab: a. Hold the transceiver so that the identifier label is on the top. b. Align the QSFP+ transceiver in front of the module's transceiver socket opening and carefully slide the QSFP+ transceiver into the socket until the transceiver makes contact with the socket electrical connector.

Step 7: Press firmly on the front of the QSFP+ transceiver with your thumb to fully seat the transceiver in the module's transceiver socket. Please Note: If the latch is not fully engaged, you might accidentally disconnect the QSFP+ transceiver module.

Step 8: For optical QSFP+ modules, reinstall the dust plug into the QSFP+ transceivers optical bore until you are ready to attach the network interface cable. Please Note: Do not remove the dust plug until you are ready to attach the network interface cable.

QSFP/QSFP+ Removing Steps

Step 1: For optical QSFP+ transceivers, disconnect the network interface cable from the QSFP+ transceiver connector.

Step 2: For QSFP+ transceivers equipped with a bail-clasp latch. a. Pivot the bail-clasp down to the horizontal position. b. Immediately install the dust plug into the transceivers optical bore. c. Grasp the sides of the QSFP+ transceiver and slide it out of the module socket.

Step 3: For QSFP+ transceivers equipped with a pull tab latch a. Immediately install the dust plug into the transceiver's optical bore. b. Grasp the tab and gently pull to release the transceiver from the socket. c. Slide the transceiver out of the socket.

Step 4: Place the QSFP+ transceiver into an antistatic bag.

Note: In fact, the installing or removing steps of the mentioned transceiver modules are the general case. Different transceiver modules of different brands have their own features. We should ask the vendor to get more informations when you face a problem that we do not mentioned here. In addition, to save more money, we suggest that compatible 3rd transceiver modules may be another good choice but you should ensure that your vendor is reliable.

Fiberstore's fiber optic transceivers are 100% compatible with major brands like Cisco, HP, Juniper, Nortel, Force10, D-link, 3Com. They are backed by a lifetime warranty so that you can buy with confidence. Additionally, customize optical transceivers to fit your specific requirements are available.

Cisco, especially, you can find a full product line of our New Cisco SFP modules, such as GLC-LX-SM-RGD, SFP-GE-T, GLC-SX-MMD, etc. Our SFP+ and QSFP+ moduels are 100% compatible with a good price and enjoy same-day shipping.

Ordering Information

• QSFP-4SFP10G-CU3M, Cisco QSFP+ to 4 SFP+ Passive Copper Direct Attach Breakout Cable features a single QSFP+ connector (SFF-8436) rated for 40-Gb/s on one end and 4 SFP+ connectors (SFF-8431), each rated for 10-Gb/s, on the other.
• SFP-H10GB-CU3M, SFP+ passive copper cable, Data Rate up to 10.5G, 3 meter, AWG30.
• GLC-SX-MM, GLC-SX 1000BASE-SX SFP transceiver, supporting dual data-rate of 1.25Gbps/1.0625Gbps and 550m transmission distance with MMF.
• GLC-T module, Cisco compatible copper SFP for Category 5 copper wire compliant with the Gigabit Ethernet and 1000BASE-T standards.
• SFP-GE-T compatible module, this Cisco SFP to RJ45 converter offers the same function with Cisco SFP-GE-T and it is fully compatible with Cisco SFP devices.

Article Source: Guide of Installing or Removing Transceiver Modules (Part III)

Quick Reference Guide SFP+ DAC Cable Assemblies

SFP+ DAC cable assemblies are a high speed, cost effectivealternative to fiber optics in 10Gb Ethernet, 8Gb Fibre Channel and InfiniBand applications. SFP+ copper cable assemblies enable hardware OEMs and data center operators to achieve highport density and configurability at a low cost and reduced power requirement. Fiberstore SFP+ copper assemblies meet the industry MSA for signal integrity performance.

Features And Benefits

• MSA SFF-8431 compliant
• Supports serial data rates up to 10Gbps
• Low cost alternative to fiber optic assemblies
• Low power consumption
• Enhanced EMI suppression
• Pull-to-release retractable pin latch
• 24AWG through 30AWG cable available
• Passive and active assemblies

Product Applications

• Switches
• Networking – servers, routers and hubs
• Enterprise storage
• Telecommunication equipmentNetwork Interface Cards (NIC's)

Applications by Protocol

• 10 Gigabit Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet (IEEE802.3ae)
• Fibre channel: 1, 2, 4 and 8 GFC
• InfiniBand standard SDR (2.5Gbps), DDR (5Gbps) and QDR (10Gbps)
• Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE)
• Serial data transmission

SFP+ Cable Assembly Part Number Selection Guide

Part No.	Data Rate	Length	Wire AWG	Connector Type	Temp. Range
Cisco SFP-H10GB-CU1M	Up to 10.5G	1m	AWG30	Passive Copper	0-70℃
Cisco SFP-H10GB-CU1-5M	Up to 10.5G	1.5m	AWG30	Passive Copper	0-70℃
Cisco SFP-H10GB-CU2M	Up to 10.5G	2m	AWG30	Passive Copper	0-70℃
Cisco SFP-H10GB-CU2-5M	Up to 10.5G	2.5m	AWG30	Passive Copper	0-70℃
Cisco SFP-H10GB-CU3M	Up to 10.5G	3m	AWG30	Passive Copper	0-70℃
Cisco SFP-H10GB-CU5M	Up to 10.5G	5m	AWG24	Passive Copper	0-70℃
Cisco SFP-H10GB-CU7M	Up to 10.5G	7m	AWG30	Active Copper	0-70℃
Cisco SFP-H10GB-CU10M	Up to 10.5G	10m	AWG28	Active Copper	0-70℃

SFP+ Cable Assembly

Passive SFP+ Cable Assemblies: WDP, VMA and CR Measurements A passive copper cable assembly will be compliant with the SFP+ MSA Rev 4.1 if the dWDP number is less than 6.75 dBe. The WDP measurements shown in the table below are for the indicated wire gauge and cable length of Tyco Electronics production assemblies. Any cable with the same wire gauge and shorter length than the length listed below will have a lower dWDP value.

To be compliant with SFF 8431 Rev 4.1, the VMA must be less than 4.5 dB and the VCR must be greater than 33 dB. The VMA and VCR measurements shown in the table below are for the indicated wire gauge and cable length of Fiberstore production assemblies. Any cable with the same wire gauge and shorter length than the length listed below will also meet the VMA and VCR limits.

Active SFP+ Cable Assemblies: SFF-8431 requires active SFP+ cable assemblies to meet an output eye mask requirement when a minimal eye is transmittedthrough the cable assembly. The input eye mask is measured by transmitting a 10.3125 Gbps PRBS 231-1 signal into a modulecompliance test fixture and measuring the eye pattern through the mated host compliance test fixture. Once the input signalis established, the cable assemblies are measured through the module compliance test fixture. All cable assemblies meetthe bit error rate requirement of 1x10-12. This design allows for output de-emphasis and signal amplitude to be adjusted toaccomodate customer requirements.

Frequently asked questions

1. What are the performance requirements for the cable assembly?

Fiberstore SFP+ copper passive and active cable assemblies meet the signal integrity requirements defined by the industry MSA SFF-8431. We can custom engineer cable assemblies to meet the requirements of a customer’s specific system architecture.

2. Are passive or active cable assemblies required?

Passive cables have no signal amplification in the assembly and rely on host system Electronic Dispersion Compensation (EDC) for signal amplification/equalization. Active cable assemblies have signal amplification and equalization built into the assembly. Active cable assemblies are typically used in host systems that do not employ EDC. This solution can be a cost savings to the customer.

3. What cable lengths are required?

Cable length and wire gauge are related to the performance characteristics of the cable assembly. Longer cable lengths require heavier wire gauge, while shorter cable lengths can utilize a smaller gauge cable.

4. Are there any special customer requirements?

Examples of special customer requirements include: custom cable lengths, EEPROM programming, labeling and packaging, pull tab length and color, company logo, signal output de-emphasis, and signal output amplitude. We can custom engineer cables to specific customer system architecture.