Tag Archives: fiber optic transceiver module

Knowledge of Multi-source Agreement

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Fiber Optical TransceiverWe usually see some products that are compliant with MSA when refers to fiber optic transceivers, but what does MSA mean? It seems like a standard that is used to define the optical transceiver. In fact, MSAs are not official standards organizations. Instead, they are agreements that equipment vendors assume when developing form factors for communications interfaces. These form factors, usually called the transceiver modules, are typically deployed in active electronics such as switches, servers and multiplexers. In this text, some knowledge of the MSA will be introduced.

What is Multi-source Agreement?

MSA stands for multi-source agreement, which is an agreement between multiple manufacturers to make products which are compatible across vendors, acting as de facto standards, establishing a competitive market for interoperable products. Products that adhere to MSAs include optical transceivers (SFP, SFP+, XENPAK, QSFP, XFP, etc), fiber optic cables, and other networking devices. MSAs strictly define the operating characteristics of these optical transceivers so that system vendors may implement ports in their devices that allow MSA compliant transceivers produced by name brand, as well a third party vendors, to function properly. That is, transceivers may be purchased from any of the multiple sources in the open market, like Fiberstore. MSAs are also important in the cabling industry as the density, line speed, power consumption and typical costs of a MSA can strongly impact its success in the marketplace. This, in turn, can drive the choice for both connector and media type.

Why is Multi-source Agreement  so Important?

Equipment vendors all rely on MSAs when designing their systems, ensuring interoperability and interchangeability between interface modules, that is every supplier can produce the transceiver modules with the same functions. For this reason, there are many module suppliers from which customers can choose freely. As we all know, freedom of choice is the foundation of the efficient operation of markets. In order to gain a bigger share of the market, suppliers may act as efficiently as possible, which may drive down costs and offer the widest options to customers. Besides, since there are so many excellent 3rd party optical transceiver module suppliers in the market that network operators don’t need to purchase optical transceivers directly from system (original brand) vendors, which will also save huge costs. Finally, there is no doubt that all these will help support and encourage creation and adherence to standards at the same time. Over the past decade, the MSA process has helped accelerate the acceptance of modules such as SFP+ and CFP, which allow optical transceivers to support greater bandwidth such as 40G and 100G.

Approved Fiber Optica Transceiver Multi-source Agreements

MSA is a popular industry format jointly developed and supported by many network component vendors, most common optical transceivers are specified by it at present. MSAs usually specify parameters for optical transceivers and their guideline values, such as the electrical and optical interfaces (e.g. SX, LX, EX, ZX, etc), mechanical dimensions, electro-magnetic values and other data. This data is accessible by the host system over the I2C interface, as is the status of the optional DDM functions. Some approved fiber optica transceiver multi-source agreements are listed in the table below:

Name Year Brief Description Keywords/Applications
GBIC 2000 GigaBit Interface Converter Designed for Gigabit Ethernet, SDH/SONET (2.5 Gb/s) and Fibre Channel (4Gb/s). Superseded by SFP
SFP 2001 Small Form-factor Pluggable Designed for Gigabit Ethernet, SDH/SONET (2.5 Gb/s) and Fibre Channel (4Gb/s)
XENPAK 2001 Fiber optic transceiver for 10Gb Ethernet Superseded by X2 and SFP+
X2 2005 Fiber optic transceiver for 10Gb Ethernet Superseded by SFP+
XFP 2005 Fiber optic transceiver for 10Gb Ethernet Designed for 10Gb/s. Supports 8Gb/s Fibre Channel, 10 Gb/s Ethernet and Optical Transport Network
SFP+ 2013 Fiber optic transceiver for 10Gb Ethernet Designed for 10Gb/s. Supports 8Gb/s Fibre Channel, 10 Gb/s Ethernet and Optical Transport Network standard OTU2
QSFP/QSFP+ 2013 Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable 40G Supports Ethernet, Fibre Channel, InfiniBand and SONET/SDH standards up to 40GB/s and 100Gb/s
CFP 2013 C Form Factor Pluggable (100G) Optical transceiver form factors supporting 40Gb/s and 100Gb/s. CFP, CFP2 and CFP4
CXP In Progress C Form Factor Pluggable Supports Infiniband and Ethernet to 100G. CXP and CXP2

A Complete Guide of Installing or Removing Transceiver Modules (Part III)

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Monday again, welcome to my blog. This week, we are going to finish the topic “A Complete Guide of Installing or Removing Transceiver Modules”. As we know, we continue this topic for almost three weeks, and today, we will explain the Part III, ie. the last part. The Part III is explaining mainly the installation and remove of QSFP/QSFP+ and CFP.

After learning the Part I and Part II, you may have a better understanding of installing or removing transceiver modules, such as SFP, X2, GBIC, XENPAK or XFP etc. You may also find that the different transceivers are similar in the installing or removing steps. Nonetheless, there is unique feature of different transceiver modules which affect the installing and removing, so that we should be carefully and understand each type of transceiver. OK, now we are return to today’s main topic – How to Install or Remove the QSFP/QSFP+ and CFP.

How to Install or Remove QSFP/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.

How to Install or Remove CFP Transceiver Module

CFP Installing Steps
step 1: Remove the CFP transceiver from its protective packaging.
step 2: Check the label on the CFP transceiver body to verify that you have the correct model for your network.
step 3: Remove the dust plug from the CFP transceiver module optical port and set it aside.
step 4: Align the CFP device into the transceiver port socket of your networking module, and slide it in until the CFP transceiver EMI gasket flange makes contact with the module faceplate.
step 5: Press firmly on the front of the CFP transceiver with your thumb to fully seat it in the transceiver socket.
step 6: Gently tighten the two captive installation screws on the transceiver to secure the CFP transceiver in the socket.
step 7: Reinstall the dust plug into the CFP transceiver’s optical bore until you are ready to attach the network interface cable.
step 8: When you are ready to attach the network cable interface, remove the dust plugs and inspect and clean fiber connector end faces, and then immediately attach the network interface cable connectors into the CFP transceiver optical bores.

CFP Removing Steps
step 1: Disconnect the network fiber-optic cable from the CFP transceiver connectors. Immediately reinstall the dust plugs in the CFP transceiver optical bores.
step 2: Loosen the two captive installation screws that secure the CFP to the networking module.
step 3: Slide the CFP transceiver out of the module socket. Immediately place the CFP transceiver in antistatic protective packaging.

Author’s Note
Up to here, the topic “A Complete Guide of Installing or Removing Transceiver Modules” has already finished. Thanks all the reader for continued focusing. 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. If you have any requirement of transceivers, Fiberstore will be a good choice for you.

Article Source: http://www.fiber-optic-transceiver-module.com/a-complete-guide-of-installing-or-removing-transceiver-modules-part-iii.html