Tag Archives: optical transceivers

Can I Connect Fiber Optic Transceivers of Different Brand?

Share

Data centers generally accommodates hundreds or even thousands of network switches, it happens when you have to connect switches from different vendors (i.e. switch X from Cisco and switch Y from HP). As the switches only fit their own brand-based fiber optic transceiver, the main issues thus falls into this: is it possible to contact two different vendor’s fiber optic transceiver module and form a viable link? The answer is yes – but you still have to take some critical aspects into account.

connect optical transceivers from different brand

Case Study: Standard of Fiber Optic Transceiver is the Key

Sometimes people have to mix switches and fiber optic transceivers, mainly because the following reasons:

  • They already have brand X and they need more switches and they shop on price. Hence different brands
  • They need to replace switches but do not have money for all and they buy brand X and plan on going to brand X completely but it takes time to get there.

There exist quite a lot standards and protocols concerning fiber optic transceiver. Although many installers are very familiar with linking different vendor’s switch, the others are still worried that the incompatibilities of two transceivers may impede the link performance. They may come across the questions like “Can I order a 1000BASE-LX transceiver from any source and it will be compatible with all others 1000BASE-LX?” or “Would a link with a Juniper 1000Base-LX and a Cisco 1000BASE-LX transceiver work?”

fiber optic transceiver

Ideally it should work. 1000BASE-LX is a standard the same way 1000BASE-T is, except that it uses fiber as the transmission medium. You’ve already known that any copper interfaces with 1000BASE-T is interoperable since they are defined by the same 1000BASE-T standards. So you can expect the same with fiber 1000BASE-LX interfaces –  which are all defined by 1000BASE-LX. While this is true on the fiber side of the system, and should be true on the thing with the fiber optic transceiver socket. In fact, you can rest assure as SFP is multi-vendor standard that specified by a multi-source agreement (MSA). And it is a popular industry format jointly developed by many network component vendors.

Further Consideration of Fiber Optic Transceivers: Protocol, Transmission Wavelength and Cable Type

Connecting SFP optical transceivers from two different vendors still have some other restriction, since SFP transceivers differs from one another in protocol, interface type and transmission distance.

Ethernet Protocol: You have to pay attention that you use fiber optical transceiver of the same protocol at each end, for example: both sides with SX, LX or whatever is currently in use. Otherwise, you have to undertake the risk of link failure.

Cable Type: The fiber optic transceivers on each end must use the same fiber type. An SFP made for multimode fiber isn’t going to work well, if it does at all, with single-mode fiber. Same applies with other multimode fiber types: although mixing various 50 um fibers (OM2 and OM4) may work OK depending on data rate and distance. As long as each end is the same fiber type, you can mix vendors and even connector types, such as SC on one end and LC on the other end.

Wavelength: It is vital the wavelength of the fiber optic transceivers (850nm, 1310nm) matches on each end, as a 1310nm transceiver will NOT talk to a 850 nm transceiver. MMF has a lot of loss, and the wrong wavelength may cause loss and degradation on the longer runs. As for SMF, you need to be even more careful about wavelengths though, especially for long distance. So, if you are on the working range, all the fiber optic transceiver will work normally.

wavelength for optical transceiver

Conclusion

It is hence safe to say that when connecting two fiber optic transceivers from different fiber optic transceiver manufacturers, you can expect your fiber patch cable to lead a consistent link as long as you use modules of the same Ethernet protocol, cable type and working wavelength. FS provides fully compatible optical transceivers with affordable price and decent performance. For more information, please visit www.fs.com.

Related Article:

3rd Party Optical Transceivers vs OEM Switch Warranty

All About Compatibility: Third-Party vs Brand Optics

Three Ways Fiber Optic Transceivers Promote Data Center

Share

The data center is one of the most critical and dynamic operations in any business. As companies produce, collect, analyze and store more data, IT infrastructures need to grow as well to keep up with the demand. With all the data processing and transmission, it is only critical that every design aspect and component of your data center is properly optimized, including its fiber optic transceiver technology. The fiber optics and other optical components need to meet the bandwidth requirement for storage, switch, and server applications. Now let’s see how will the fiber optic transceivers promote data centers in the future.Fiber Optic TransceiversSmall Package Makes Sense
Optical transceivers are becoming smaller, but more powerful, which makes them an important piece in server technology. In fact, even though a transceiver is physically small, it can handle a network expansion or an entire install. This shrinking of fiber optic transceivers allows for the improvement of servers. This reduces the overall footprint of servers and networks, which makes data centers smaller and streamlined. Optical transceivers also require lower power consumption, which means you get lower costs both in terms of design and electricity expenses.

Data Center Makes up Big Transceiver Market
Fiber optic transceivers are always being improved, which can only mean good things for data center managers. According to recent numbers, 2016 and beyond will be huge for the data center market and optical components as more companies require efficiency in their networks. Data centers make up 65% of the overall 10G/40G/100G optical transceiver market. Shipment of 10G transceivers continue to grow, but still has plenty of room to grow, especially as industry experts expect the Datacom optical transceiver market to reach $optical transceivers2.1bn by 2019.

40G and 100G Transceivers Pave the Way
Consumers and technology experts can expect optical transceivers to improve as data centers grow and the cloud industry expands. Manufacturers have introduced fiber optic transceivers that can transmit data at 40Gbps and 100Gbps, while some startups are investing millions in developing technology that can achieve higher speeds. These and other improvements can only mean good things for businesses and consumers.

Significantly improving your company’s IT infrastructure is becoming an essential task, especially in this data-driven world. Optical transceivers and components are some of the little things that definitely can make a big difference in this effort. FS.COM provide a variety of fiber optic transceivers with high quality and low price, from 1000Base SFP to 10G SFP+, 40G QSFP+ and 100G CFP. For more information, please visit www.fs.com.

XFP vs SFP+ Transceivers

Share

Fiber optic transceiver module is a self-contained component that can both transmit and receive. Each of these physical form-factors is defined in a standards document know as a Multi-Source Agreement, or MSA. Optical Transceivers types can be generally grouped into those supporting transmission speeds on the order of 1Gbps and those designed to support rates in the range of 10Gbps. Optical transceivers form factors associated with 10Gbps transmission are: XFP, X2, XENPAK and SFP+. This post is focus on what’s XFP, what’s SFP+, XFP vs SFP+, and what’s the difference?

FiberStore Provide 10G SFP Plus Transceiver Versus XFP Transceiver

What’s XFP Transceiver?

XFP transceiver is a small form factor hot pluggable module designed for 10G network applications including 10Gig Ethernet and fibre channel. XFP transceivers are with dual LC interface and the industrial acknowledged standards for XFP is called XFP MSA. XFP is a hot-swappable and protocol independent module. It means that you can replace the component without shutting down the whole system. XFP can be replaced without interrupting the operation of your system. Its usual operation is at optical wavelengths of 850 nm, 1310 nm, or 1550 nm. To be able to install this module in your computer, you should have one of these: 10 Gigabit Ethernet, 10 Gbit/s Fibre Channel, Synchronous Optical Networking at OC-192 rates, Synchronous Optical Networking STM-64, 10 Gbit/s Optical Transport Network OTU-2, and parallel optics links. XFP modules are able to function with just a single wavelength or dense wavelength division multiplexing techniques.

What’s SFP+ Transceiver

Comparing with other 10G modules such as XFP, X2 and Xenpak, SFP+ transceiver is the smallest 10G form factor.SFP+ module is interchangeable with SFP module and can be used in the same cages as SFP module.SFP plus is an upgraded version of the small form pluggable transceivers.SFP(small form-factor pluggable) is a compact, hot-pluggable transceiver used for both telecommunication and data communications applications. The electrical interface to the host board for SFP module and SFP+ module is the same serial.

XFP vs SFP+, What’s the difference?

SFP transceiver modules and XFP transceiver modules have some different,such as the size and speed,SFP is smaller in size than XFP,and the XFP carries more speed then SFP.And they also have the same,they are similar in design.

From FiberStore,we provide a full range of optical transceivers, such as SFP Plus transceiver, X2 transceiver, XENPAK transceiver, XFP transceiver, SFP transceiver, GBIC transceiver, CWDM/DWDM transceiver, and PON transceiver. We also can customize optical transceivers to fit your specific requirements. If you want to know more fiber optic transceivers information,please visit our website:www.fs.com or focus on our blog.