How to Install and Remove SFP Transceiver Modules?

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 We
know that any non-standard operation may result in implicit damage or even
permanent failure.

 

The
installation and removing of SFPs are quite simple. However, you might need to
refer to the datasheet or user manual of any new transceivers to familiarize
yourself with its properties and the latching mechanism.

 

Before
Installing or Removing the SFPs, You Should Remember These General Rules

Removing
and inserting an SFP module can shorten its service life. Therefore, you should
not remove or insert SFP modules unless it is absolutely necessary.

 

Disconnect
all the cables before removing or installing an SFP module. Not to install or
remove the optical transceivers with fiber cables attached to them as this may
cause potential damage to the cable or module, which will limit the performance
of the transmission.

 

Protect
the SFP modules by inserting clean dust covers on them after the cables are removed.
Ensure that you clean the optic surfaces of the fiber cables before you plug
them back into the optical ports of another SFP module. Avoid getting dust and
other contaminants into the optical ports of your SFP modules, because the
optics will not work correctly when obstructed by dust.

 

Transceiver
modules are sensitive to static, so always ensure that you use an ESD wrist
strap or comparable grounding device during both installation and removal.

 

Check
“The Main Causes of SFP Module Failures” Part from Why My SFP
Transceiver Isn’t Working?

 

Preparing
to Install or Remove a Transceiver Module

Wrist
strap or other personal grounding devices to prevent ESD occurrences.

 

Antistatic
mat or antistatic foam to set the transceiver on.

 

Fiber-optic
end-face cleaning tools and inspection equipment.

 

To
Install an SFP+ Optical
Transceiver Module

Besides
SFP+, SFP, QSFP, SFP28, QSFP28 modules are all referred to as pluggable port
modules. All of these modules’ installation and removal can follow these simple
steps.

 

Attach
your ESD preventive wrist strap to your wrist as well as to the ESD ground
connector. A metal surface on your chassis is also acceptable.

 

Before
inserting the SFP+ into the designated port, DO NOT remove the optical bore
dust plugs.

 

Locate
the send (TX) and receive (RX) markings. These will allow you to identify the
top of the SFP transceiver module.

 

Understanding
the TX/RX Optical Power on the Transceiver

 

Carefully
slide the transceiver into the port.

 

Verify
that the transceiver is securely inserted and seated in the port.

 

After
inspect and clean the fiber-optic end-faces, you can now remove the dust plugs
from the SFP modules bores and attach the network interface cable to the
module.

 

Check
the port status LED. If the LED turns green, the target device has established
a link. If the LED is off, please ensure that the target device is powered on
before troubleshooting.

 

How
to Troubleshoot A Fiber Optic Transceiver?

 

 

There
might be a cable problem, or there might be a problem with the adapter
installed in the target device. If the LED will turn amber for approximately 30
seconds before turning green.

 

Reconfigure
and reboot the target device if required.

 

Transceiver
modules come with different characteristics and they can use four different
latching mechanisms: mylar/pull tab latch, bale-clasp latch, slide tab latch,
and actuator button latch. And devices can have different module socket
configurations. It is possible to have either a latch-up or a latch-down
orientation. So, make sure that you are installing a module with the correct
latch orientation for your device.

 

To
Remove an SFP+ Optical Transceiver Module

Attach
an ESD-preventive wrist strap to your wrist and to the ESD ground connector or
a bare metal surface on your chassis.

 

Disconnect
the network fiber-optic cable or network copper cable from the transceiver. For
optical transceivers, immediately reinstall the dust plugs in the SFP
transceiver optical bores and the fiber-optic cable connectors.

 

Release
and remove the transceiver from the socket connector.

 

Place
the removed transceiver in an antistatic bag or other protective environments.

 

The
removal of the transceivers should be operated according to different latching
mechanisms:

 

For
a mylar/pull tab latch transceiver

 

Pull
the tab gently in a slightly downward direction until the transceiver
disengages from the socket connector, and then pull the transceiver straight
out. Do not twist or pull the mylar tab because you could detach it from the
transceiver.

 

For
a bale-clasp latch transceiver

 

Pull
the bale-clasp out and down to eject the transceiver from the device port. If
the bale-clasp latch is obstructed and you cannot use your index finger to open
it, use a small flat-blade screwdriver or another long narrow instrument to
open the bale-clasp latch. Grasp the transceiver between your thumb and index
finger, gently and carefully slide it out of the port.

 

For
an actuator button latch transceiver

 

Gently
press the actuator button on the front of the SFP transceiver until it clicks
and the latch mechanism releases the transceiver from the socket connector.
Grasp the actuator button between your thumb and index finger, and carefully
pull the transceiver straight from the module slot.

 

For
a slide tap latch transceiver

 

With
your thumb, push the slide tab at the bottom front of the SFP module in the
direction of the line card to disengage the module from the line card port. You
must disengage the SFP module by pushing on the slide tab before you pull out
the SFP module. If you pull the SFP module without disengaging the tab, you
will damage the SFP module.