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?

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.

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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