Issues You Should Consider to Buy The Right Optic Transceiver

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The optical modules are important
components in networking, and specifying the right modules can heavily
influence overall system performance. There issues you should consider when
choosing a fiber optic module are listed below.

 

1.The Most Important Design
Considerations – Density and Form Factor

You can buy transceivers that plug into
the faceplate, or you can buy embedded, mid-board optical modules. You may want
to choose a mid-board module if you want more density at the faceplate or for
greater electrical performance because you’re able to put the module closer to
the IC on the circuit board and minimize electrical losses.

 

2.Bit-rate Options

The choices range from the small
form-factor pluggable (SFP) module at 1Gb/s up to the CFP module at 100Gb/s.
Some parallel optical modules have incoming signal rates of 25Gb/s, and there
are mid-board modules that use 12 lanes of 25Gb/s to deliver 300Gb/s. You can
also choose the QSFP module with four channels of 10 Gigabits each, or the SFP+
module as a single 10Gb/s lane.

 

3.The Length of the Optical Signal to
Travel

This leads to a decision between an Active
Optical Cable (AOC) and a transceiver, and using single-mode or
multi-mode transceiver. An AOC is a single unit that consists of two
transceivers and a piece of optical fiber that joins them. With a transceiver,
you take a passive fiber cable and connect it to the transceiver. For distances
less than 20 to 30 meters, an AOC is probably the less expensive choice. If you
want the signal to go more than 30 meters, you’d more likely use the transceiver
with a passive fiber cable. Single-mode transceiver used for long reach
transmission and multi-mode transceiver for short reach.

 

4.Heat Transfer and Power Consumption

Every optical module generates heat,
but some modules run considerably cooler than others. Engineers need to assess
how much power is being consumed and how much heat is being generated, as well
as whether the system has the capability to remove that heat. With cooler
optical modules, the equipment saves direct power but also can have a
substantial impact on reducing air conditioning costs for the data center.

 

5.Compatibility

Transceivers are designed by a
multi-vendor consortium with open specifications. It’s usually preferable to
match your SFP to your switch vendor (I.E. a Cisco SFP in a Cisco switch), but
you can work around that if you’re willing to risk your support/warranty to
save a few bucks on transceiver costs.

 

Buy from a reputable third party
dealer, and you get samples and guarantees. I’ve saved tens of thousands of dollars
buying third party optics, and the failure rate is precisely the same as with
vendor optics in my experience. The better third party transceivers are
typically put together on the same manufacturing lines as the vendor branded
ones.

 

By considering form factor, density,
reach, bit rate, standards compliance, heat transfer, Network installers can
properly evaluate optical modules and specify the right one for the job.