How does SFP+ optical transceiver work with 10-Gigabit switch?

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 In today’s Internet era, both enterprise network deployment and data center construction are inseparable from optical transceivers and switches. Optical transceivers are mainly used to convert electrical and optical signals, while switches are used to forward photoelectric signals. Among many optical transceivers, the SFP+ optical transceiver is one of the most widely used optical transceivers. When used with a switch, different connection methods can be used to achieve different network requirements. Next, ETU-LINK will introduce the concept, types and matching applications of SFP+ optical transceivers.

What is an SFP+ optical transceiver?

The SFP+ optical transceiver is a 10G optical fiber module in the SFP optical transceiver, which is independent of the communication protocol. Generally connected with switches, fiber optic routers, fiber optic network cards, etc., it is used in 10G bps Ethernet and 8.5G bps fiber channel systems, which can meet the higher speed requirements of data centers and realize the network expansion and conversion of data centers.

The SFP+ optical transceiver line card has high density and small size, and can be interconnected with other types of 10G modules, providing a higher installation density for data centers and saving costs. Therefore, it has become the mainstream pluggable optical transceiver on the market.

Types of SFP+ optical transceivers

Under normal circumstances, SFP+ optical transceivers are classified according to actual applications. Common types include 10G SFP+, BIDI SFP+, CWDM SFP+, and DWDM SFP+.

10G SFP+ optical transceiver

This type of optical transceiver is an ordinary SFP+ optical transceiver, and can also be regarded as an upgraded version of 1G SFP optical transceiver. It is the mainstream design on the market at present, and the maximum distance can reach 100KM.

BIDI SFP+ optical transceiver

This type of optical transceiver uses the WDM wave-division technology, with a maximum speed of 11.1G bps and low power consumption. It has two optical fiber jacks with a maximum transmission distance of 80KM, which is generally used in pairs. When building a network in a data center, it can reduce the amount of optical fiber used and the construction cost.

CWDM SFP+ optical transceiver

This kind of optical module adopts coarse wavelength division multiplexing technology, and is often used in conjunction with single-mode optical fiber, which can save optical fiber resources, and is more flexible and reliable in networking, and has low power consumption. Using LC duplex optical interface, the longest distance can reach 80KM.

DWDM SFP+ optical transceiver

This kind of optical module adopts dense wavelength division multiplexing technology, which is mostly used in long-distance data transmission. The maximum transmission distance can reach 80KM. It also has the characteristics of high speed, large capacity, and strong scalability.

Solution for collocation of SFP+ optical module and switch

Different types of optical modules are connected to switches and can be used in different networking solutions. The following demonstrates the practical application of SFP+ optical modules and switches.

10G SFP+ optical module and 40G switch connection solution

Insert 4 10G SFP+ optical modules into the 10-Gbps SFP+ port of one switch in turn, then insert a 40G QSFP+ optical module into the 40-Gbps QSFP+ port of another switch, and finally use a branch fiber patch cord in the middle to make a connection.

This connection method mainly realizes the expansion of the network from 10G to 40G, which can quickly and easily meet the network upgrade requirements of the data center.

10G BIDI SFP+ single fiber optical module and 10G switch connection solution

Insert the optical modules into the SFP+ ports of the two switches respectively, and then use the LC fiber patch cords corresponding to the optical module connection ports to connect the optical modules on the two switches.

This connection method effectively realizes the simplest and most economical data connection, and can be applied to data centers, enterprise wiring, and Ethernet connections for telecom operation and transmission.

CWDM SFP+ optical module and 10G switch connection solution

This method uses a CWDM coarse wavelength division multiplexer to connect the CWDM optical module to the switch, usually with a single-mode optical fiber, which reduces the cost of optical fiber and has advantages such as low power consumption.

DWDM SFP+ optical module and 10G switch connection solution

Insert the optical module into the SFP+ port of the switch, and then use armored fiber patch cords to connect it to the DWDM dense wavelength division multiplexer.

This connection mode realizes the protection of optical signals in long-distance transmission, which can reduce the loss of light waves to the greatest extent, and is suitable for long-distance optical signal transmission.

Precautions for the use of SFP+ optical modules:

1. When using the optical module, try to avoid static electricity and bumps. If bumps occur, it is not recommended to continue to use the optical module;

2. Pay attention to the front and back of the optical module, the pull ring and label should face upwards;

3. When inserting the optical module into the switch, try to push it to the bottom as hard as possible. Generally, there will be a slight vibration. After inserting, you can gently pull out the optical module to check whether it is installed properly;

4. When disassembling the optical module, first pull the bracelet to a position of 90° to the optical port, and then pull out the optical module.

We hope that the above example solution of SFP+ optical module and switch application can be helpful to you. If have any questions, welcome to visit our website for consultation, thank you for your support!