Optical Transceivers for FIs

Understanding FIs

A FI is the core component of a UCS solution. FIs are typically configured as highly available clustered pairs in production environments. It’s possible to run a single FI-based design as a proof of concept test deployment before actually implementing it in production. FIs provide the following two capabilities:

1. Network connectivity to both LAN and SAN
2. UCS infrastructure management through the embedded management software, UCSM, for both hardware and software management

FIs are available in two generations, namely Cisco UCS 6100 series and Cisco UCS 6200 series. The core functionality is the same in both generations; however, UCS 6200 series has a newer generation Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), higher throughput, and increased number of physical ports. Both generations can be upgraded to the latest UCSM software.

FIs provide converged ports. Depending on the physical Small Form Factor Pluggable (SFP) transceivers and FI software configuration, each port can be configured in different ways. Cisco 200 series FI ports can be configured as Ethernet ports, Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) ports, or Fiber Channel (FC) ports. On the other hand, 6100 series converged ports only support Ethernet and FCoE (they also support FC, but only in the expansion slot).

In production, FIs are deployed in clustered pairs to provide high availability. Cisco-supported implementation requires that clustered FIs be identical. The only possibility for having different FIs in a cluster is during a cluster upgrade.

Exploring Connectivity Transceivers for FIs

A variety of SFP transceivers are available for The Cisco UCS 6200 series. These transceivers provide south-bound IOM connectivity and north-bound network and storage connectivity. They are based on industry-standard SFP+ specifications.

Transceivers can be selected depending on the technology, for example, Ethernet or FC, and also according to the distance requirements. For shorter distances between FIs, IOMs, and north-bound network switches, twinax cables with integrated SFP is an economical alternative as compared to fiber optic SFP.

The most commonly used transceivers include following:

• Cisco SFP-10G-SR: This is a multimode optical fiber 10Gbps Ethernet SFP that can be used for distances up to 400 meters.
• Cisco SFP-10G-LR: This is a single-mode optical fiber 10Gbps Ethernet SFP that can be used for distances up to 10 Km.
• Cisco SFP-10G-TET: This is a low power consuming multimode fiber optic 10Gbps Ethernet SFP that can be used for distances up to 100 meters.
• Cisco SFP-H10GB-CuxM: These are the twinax cables providing low cost 10Gbps Ethernet connectivity and are available in 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 meter configurations.
• Cisco SFP-H10GB-ACU10M: This is a 10-meter-long twinax cable providing 10Gbps Ethernet. At a length of 10 meters, this cable requires active transceivers at both ends.
• Cisco GLC-T: 1000BASE-T SFP or SFP-compatible ports only,these are based on the SFP Multi Source Agreement (MSA) and compact RJ-45 connector assembly. For SFP-compatible ports only.
• Cisco GLC-SX-MMD: These modules supporting dual data-rate of 1.25Gbps/1.0625Gbps and 550m transmission distance with MMF, for SFP-compatible ports only.
• Cisco GLC-LH-SMD: These modules supporting dual data-rate of 1.25Gbps/1.0625Gbps and 10km transmission distance with SMF, for SFP-compatible ports only.
• DS-SFP-FCxG-xW: These are multi-mode and single-mode fiber optic FC transceivers that are available at 2, 4, and 8Gbps transfer speeds.

Where to buy These Optical Transceivers

Fiberstore provide a full range of optical transceivers, such as SFP+ (SFP Plus) transceiver, X2 transceiver, XENPAK transceiver, XFP transceiver, SFP (Mini GBIC) transceiver, GBIC transceiver, CWDM/DWDM transceiver, 40G QSFP+ & CFP, 3G-SDI video SFP, WDM Bi-Directional transceiver and PON transceiver. All our fiber transceivers are 100% compatible with major brands like Cisco, HP, Juniper, Nortel, Force10, D-link, 3Com. They are backed by a lifetime warranty, and you can buy with confidence. We also can customize optical transceivers to fit your specific requirements.

Article Source: Fiber Optic Transceiver

Cisco GLC-LH-SMD Compatible SFP For Your Network

With the development of the businesses, must also have the development of the networks.This is a cannot be avoidable side-effect of expansion and maturation in a company.

If you meet the point, you just begun to consider buying a larger property, or being planned in another workplace. You may return to the past ten years of the limitations of technology. Standard baseT100 Ethernet is fine for a small office, but it isn't suitable for handling heavier network use. Since your network expands, you may experience problems like:

• Dropouts in your VoIP calls
• Sluggish data retrieval speeds
• Spotty WiFi coverage across a large areas
• Difficulty leveraging Cloud-based applications
• Or poor video streaming quality

If any of this sounds familiar, it might be time for you to start considering upgrading to gigabit Ethernet, which fast at 10 times the speed of traditional Ethernet.

Twisted Copper vs Fiber Optic Gigabit Ethernet

Another major consideration would be to determine whether or not you need to keep using copper-wire cabling or upgrade to fiber optic cabling in your offices. It's more costly, but fiber optic provides several benefits over copper, while still supplying the same gigabit speeds.

Fiber optic cable supports far longer cable lengths than twisted copper. Copper can only run for around 100 meters, whereas fiber can go between 200 and 500 feet, or even more, without signal loss.

Fiber has gives off no radio interference, letting it to coexist easier in an office with a lot of wireless devices. Because of the lack of interference, fiber is also harder to hack into than copper. Just as with copper, a standard GLC-LH-SMD transceiver links fiber optic Ethernet with your existing equipment.

If you have looked ahead to the future, leaving copper might be a good choice. Fiber optics are increasing steadily in popularity among businesses that have taken over largetwisted-copper office buildings, created expansive complexes, or have an obligation to collaborate with remote offices immediately.

Using GLC-LH-SMD Transceiver To Connect Fiber Optic Network

The greatest benefit of Cisco SFP product is just entirely hot-swappable. No matter what the device is, it from servers to your switch to simple Ethernet cards: If it includes a SFP port on it, it could support many transceivers for different functions, through one standardized interface. In fact, that standardization shows that compatible modules can produce transceivers which are as good as official Cisco units. (cisco compatible sfp transceiver)

Cisco even has a compatible Matrix, that will help you select the best transceiver to do the job. So, if you think that fiber optic gigabit Ethernet is exactly what you require for your future business communications needs, the GLC-LH-SMD transceiver is truly easy to install and utilize. Simply plug it on your switch or any other device, plug in the brand new network cable, and it should recognize the network in a few moments.

There are a few different gigabit Ethernet standards to choose from. So you must research and think which is the most suits for your situation or for the future of your business. Just remember that you will need transceivers such as the GLC-LH-SMD to connect your current devices to the new network.

More about Brand Compatible SFP Modules:
Brand Compatible SFP For Optical Communications