Everything You Should Know About the SFP Module


In today’s networking climate, there exist many users in multiple locations that need to be connected via fiber optic cable to achieve secure communication across vast distances.  In most times, the physical space that they occupy is quite small, hence, compact devices are needed. Due to this specific requirement, there has been an increase in demand for SFP modules in recent years. What is an SFP module and what are the advantages of installing these modules in fiber optic networking switches?

fiber SFP Module

What is an SFP Module?

Small Form Factor Pluggable (SFP) is basically a fiber optic module that fits into an SFP socket or port on an Ethernet switch or ethernet media converter. It facilitates seamless conversion of Ethernet signals into optical signals to transfer and receive data.

What Are the Functions of SFP modules?

  • SFP modules facilitate high-speed communication between switches and network components such as routers and other devices.
  • It is mainly used with copper or fiber optic cables.
  • Its small form factor makes it ideal for areas that may not be very accessible.
  • Compatible with duplex Multimode or Singlemode fiber optic cable as well as simplex cables.
  • Supports wavelengths up to 1310nm for Multimode and 1550nm for Singlemode.
  • Newer versions of SFP such as SFP+ have been developed which offer very high speeds up to 10Gbps.

How Many Types of SFP modules are there?

SFPs are mainly classified based on their speed capabilities. Some of the types are 100Base, 1000Base Gigabit, and 10Gig (SFP+). For most Fiber SFP modules, the transmission speed is 1 Gigabit, but the newer versions such as SFP+ have a higher speed of transmission, from 10 to 25 Gigabit.

Commercially speaking, there are certain abbreviations on the modules, such as SX, LX, ZX, EX, and so on. SX indicates multimode short-wavelength of 850nm, while the others indicate single mode wavelengths of varying capacities.

What is the Advantage of SFP Ports on a Gigabit Switch?

Also known as mini Gigabit interface converter (GBIC), they are used in network interface cards (NICs), Ethernet switches, firewalls, and so on to act as an interface between a network device or a devices motherboard and the networking cable. With an SFP module, you can configure several ports on the same panel. Most companies use switches with at least two or more SFP ports making them a part of the network topology such as ring, star, bus, and so on.
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How Do I Choose a SFP Module?

Here are some factors you need to consider when choosing an SFP module:

  • Check the module’s compatibility with the cable and the switch port. The abbreviations mentioned above will help determine this factor.
  • Confirm if you require Multimode or Singlemode modules.
  • Make sure it meets the IEEE standards.
  • Determine the distance or area that you need to cover. Depending on this, you would choose a short distance or long distance data transmission.
  • What type of environmental factors do you need to take into account? Consider the operating temperatures in your application and choose accordingly.
  • Aside from the operating temperature range, do check for features such as electrostatic discharge protection.
Please allow VERSITRON to help ensure that your network is functioning in an optimal fashion. If you need to extend or install fiber optic components within your network, let us put our six plus decades of experience in the industry to work for you! VERSITRON is a well-known manufacturer of SFP modules, fiber optic media converters, network switches and much more!

Available SFP Modules (Ordered Separately):

Model
Speed (Mbps)
Wavelength
Media
Distance
Connector
TX Pwr.
RX Pwr.
Temp
RFQ
TSRJ45
10/100/1000
-
Copper
100m
RJ-45
-
-
0 to 70°C
FEMM
100
850nm
MMF
2km
LC
-10 ~ -4
< -24
0 to 70°C
FE2MM
100
1310nm
MMF
2km
LC
-20 ~ -4
< -31
0 to 70°C
FE10SM
100
1310nm
SMF
10km
LC
-15 ~ -8
< -34
0 to 70°C
GBMM
1000
850nm
MMF
62.5µ: 220m
50µ: 550m
LC
-9.5 ~ -4
< -18
0 to 70°C
GB2MM
1000
1310nm
MMF
2km
LC
-9 ~ -1
< -19
0 to 70°C
GB10SM
1000
1310nm
MMF/SMF
MM 62.5µ: 220m
MM 50µ: 550m
SM 9µ: 10km
LC
-9.5 ~ -3
< -20
0 to 70°C
GB20SM
1000
1310nm
SMF
20km
LC
-4 ~ +1
< -24
0 to 70°C
GB40SM
1000
1550nm
SMF
40km
LC
-4 ~ +1
< -24
0 to 70°C
GB70SM
1000
1550nm
SMF
70km
LC
0 ~ +5
< -24
0 to 70°C
GB100SM
1000
1550nm
SMF
100km
LC
0 ~ +5
< -30
0 to 70°C
GB10SFA
1000
Tx: 1310nm
Rx: 1550nm
SMF
10km
LC
-3 ~ -9
< -21
0 to 70°C
GB10SFB
1000
Tx: 1550nm
Rx: 1310nm
SMF
10km
LC
-3 ~ -9
< -21
0 to 70°C
GB20SFA
1000
Tx: 1310nm
Rx: 1550nm
SMF
20km
LC
-3 ~ -8
< -23
0 to 70°C
GB20SFB
1000
Tx: 1550nm
Rx: 1310nm
SMF
20km
LC
-3 ~ -8
< -23
0 to 70°C
GB40SFA
1000
Tx: 1310nm
Rx: 1550nm
SMF
40km
LC
-3 ~ +2
< -23
0 to 70°C
GB40SFB
1000
Tx: 1550nm
Rx: 1310nm
SMF
40km
LC
-3 ~ +2
< -23
0 to 70°C
GB60SFA
1000
Tx: 1310nm
Rx: 1550nm
SMF
60km
LC
0 ~ +5
< -24
0 to 70°C
GB60SFB
1000
Tx: 1550nm
Rx: 1310nm
SMF
60km
LC
-2 ~ +4
< -25
0 to 70°C
GB80SFA
1000
Tx: 1310nm
Rx: 1550nm
SMF
80km
LC
-2 ~ +3
< -26
0 to 70°C
GB80SFB
1000
Tx: 1550nm
Rx: 1310nm
SMF
80km
LC
-2 ~ +3
< -26
0 to 70°C
10GBMM
10G
850nm
MMF
62.5µ: 30m
50µ: 80m
OM3: 300m
LC
-7 ~ -1
< -10
0 to 70°C
10GB10SM
10G
1310nm
SMF
10km
LC
-6 ~ +1
< -14
0 to 70°C
10GB40SM
10G
1550nm
SMF
40km
LC
-1 ~ +2
< -16
0 to 70°C
10GB80SM
10G
1550nm
SMF
80km
LC
0 ~ +4
< -23
0 to 70°C


Rich Tull

R.W. Tull is the President of Versitron Inc. He works closely with clients to review layout diagrams and drawings in order to ensure that the best fiber optic solution is achieved for a particular project.

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