Category: Fiber Transceivers

Optical transceivers, Active Optic Cables, data center switches, and cable management in data centers.

What is Compact SFP (CSFP) fiber transceiver?

by http://www.fiber-mart.com

The CSFP MSA defines a transceiver mechanical form-factor with latching mechanism and a host board, SFP-like, electrical edge connector and cage. The CSFF MSA also defines a transceiver mechanical form-factor. The Dual-Channel CSFP has the same mechanical dimensions as the industry standard SFP transceiver and is compatible with the standard SFP cage. The Single-Channel CSFP and CSFF are half the size of the industry standard SFP and SFF packages. The CSFF design is modular to enable configurations of integrated 1, 2 or 4 channel modules.These highly integrated compact transceiver modules will enable network system vendors to increase port density and data throughput, while reducing network equipment cost.CSFP transceivers are compatible with the Compact Small Form- Factor Pluggable (CSFP) Multi-Source Agreement (MSA).
Compact-SFP is a new kind of fiber transceiver usually known as CSFP fiber optic transceivers.CSFP has the same size of SFP, Cisco also called this as 2- channel bi-directional SFP. The 2-channel 1000BASE-BX-D SFP module, also known as Compact BIDI SFP, integrates two Bi-directional interfaces in one SFP module. The Compact SFP is always connected to two 1000BASE-BX10-U interfaces over two single strands of standard SMF with an operating transmission range up to 20km.
The CSFP transceiver consists of 2-channel Bi-directional transceiver unit with five sections: the LD driver, the limiting amplifier, the digital diagnostic monitor, the 1310nm DFB laser and the 1490nm PIN photo-detector. The optical output can be disabled by a TTL logic high-level input of Tx Disable, and the system also can disable the module via I2C. Tx Fault is provided to indicate that degradation of the laser. Loss of signal (LOS) output is provided to indicate the loss of an input optical signal of receiver or the link status with partner. The system can also get the LOS (or Link)/Disable/Fault information via I2C register access. Conventional SFP will function when plugged into a C-SFP socket, at the same time no damage to C-SFP and host board if C-SFP module is plugged into a conventional SFP socket. If you have interests about this CSFP transceiver, please feel free to send email to us.

SFP Transceiver Module Troubleshooting

SFP (small form-factor pluggable) is a compact, hot-pluggable transceiver module used for both telecommunication and data communications applications. With the increasing high speed data transmission demands of people, products, such as SFP+, CFP and QSFP/QSFP+ etc. have shared the market. Nonetheless, SFPs have still played an important role in telecommunication and data communication.
As a widely and commonly used component in data transmission, due to the incorrect operation or other factors, it is hard to avoid facing the faults in using SFP, and sometimes even result in a bad situation and heavy loss. This paper will help you to diagnose the SFP problems (take Cisco for example) and give some resolution tips. I hope it would be acted as a learning tool and a reference source for both new and experienced technicians who work in this field.
To diagnose SFP problems, you can get statistics from the browser interface, the CLI (Command Line Interface) or an SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) workstation. The most common SFP problems include these aspects:
.Poor performance
.No connectivity
.Corrupted software
Poor Performance (or Excessive Errors)
Possible Cause:
The possible causes of this problem include that cabling distance is exceeded or port statistics show excessive frame check sequence (FCS), late-collision, or alignment errors.
Resolution:
Reduce the cable length to within the recommended distances.
See your SFP module documentation for cabling guidelines.
No connectivity
Possible Cause:
This problem is most likely related to cabling. Using incorrect or bad cable, or incorrect cable wiring, or STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) checking for possible loops may probably lead to this problem.
Resolution:
Verify the pinouts are correct for the proper application of cables.
Replace the cable with a tested good cable.
Wait 30 seconds for the port LED to turn green.
Corrupted software
The corrupted software here we mentioned include the following three situations.
1.The port is placed in error-disabled state after SFP is inserted.
Possible Cause:
This problem is usually caused by bad or non-Cisco-approved SFP module(ie. the incompatible SFP).
Resolution:
Remove the SFP module from the switch and replace it with a Cisco-approved module. Use the irrdisable recovery cause GBIC-invalid global configuration command to verify the port status, and enter a time interval to recover from the error-disable state. The best advice is to use the Cisco original SFP or 100% Cisco compatible SFP (If you decide to use a third-party SFP, please ensure that your supplier is assured) that is adapted to the switch.
2.Device does not recognize the SFP module.
Possible Cause:
This problem is generally related to the SFP installation. Situations, such as SFP is installed upside dowm or does not snap into the slot can cause this problem.
Resolution:
Verify that the SFP module is not installed upside down.
Remove the SFP module. Inspect for physical damage to the connector, the module, and the module slot.
Replace the SFP module with a known good SFP module.
3.Excessive errors found in port statistics.
Possible Cause:
Bad adapter in attached device or STP checking for possible loops can cause this problem.
Resolution:
Run adapter card diagnostic utility and wait 30 seconds for the port LED to turn green.
Some common error message of Cisco Switch When Using With SFP Module
Error Message: Transceiver module inserted in port
Explanation: The online insertion and removal (OIR) facility detected a newly inserted transceiver module for the interface specified in the error message.
Error Message: INIT_FAILURE: Detected for transceiver module in port, module disabled
Explanation: An initialization failure occurred for the transceiver module for the interface specified in the error message. This condition could be caused by software, firmware, or hardware problem. As a result of the error, the module is disabled.
Recommended Action: Try reseating the module. Hardware replacement should not occur first occurrence. Before requesting hardware replacement, review troubleshooting logs with a technical support representative.
Error Message: NOT_IDENTIFIED: Detected for transceiver module in %s, module disabled
Explanation: The transceiver module for the interface specified in the error message could not be identified and may not be compatible with the interface. The transceiver module specified in the error message contains a transceiver code which could not be correctly interpreted. As a result of the error, the module is disabled.
Recommended Action: Replace the module with a compatible transceiver.
Error Message: UNSUPPORTED-TRANCEIVER: Unsupported SFP transceiver found on board. Warranty/support may void
Explanation: The transceiver module for the interface specified in the error message is not a Cisco supported module. As a result of the error, the module is disabled. When Cisco determines that a fault or defect can be traced to the use of third-party transceivers installed by a customer or reseller, then, at Cisco’s discretion, Cisco may withhold support under warranty or a Cisco support program. In the course of providing support for a Cisco networking product Cisco might require that the end user install Cisco transceivers if Cisco determines that removing third-party parts will assist Cisco in diagnosing the cause of a support issue.

Origin of Fiber Optic Transceiver Module

by http://www.fiber-mart.com

The fiber optic transceiver module is one of the connection modules, which realizes the conversion between the optical signal and the electrical signal. The fiber optic transceiver module is mainly composed by optoelectronic devices, functional circuitry and optical interface, in which the optoelectronic devices includes transmitting and receiving two parts.
The fiber optical module was first produced in 1999; and the earliest fiber optical module is 1X9 package with SC connector, directly solidified in the communications equipment on the circuit board, as a fixed optical modules.
After that, 1X9 optical modules are gradually toward miniaturization, hot-swappable direction. Optical module products began to be divided into two aspects of development, one is hot-pluggable optical module GBIC, the other is the small SFF 2X5 or SFF 2X10 with LC header, directly solidified in the circuit board. GBIC and SFF optical modules both have achieved a wide range of applications.
1×9 Optical Transceiver
1×9 optical transceiver modules are state-of-the-art components designed expressly for the building of high-speed bi-directional communication links that require data rates of up to 1.25 Gb/s. The modules operate at special extended voltage and temperature (-10 to 85 C) ranges. 1×9 optical transceiver power dissipation is less than 1 watt for the 5 V and the 3.3 V versions.  The modules’ metal enclosure not only makes them sturdier, but also improves the transceivers FCC test margins.
This emissions and ESD control is particularly important in applications with sensitive multiport hubs and switches.These high-speed transceiver modules are well known throughout the industry for their superior quality, reliability, and affordability. An evaluation board is available for test and demonstration purposes.
GBIC Module
The GBIC module was once widely used in switches, routers and other network branded products. The old Cisco, Nortel and other manufacturers widely adopted the GBIC module for their switches and routers. Compared to the GBIC module and the 1X9 package module, is very obvious advantages, as it can support hot plug, make GBIC products as an independent module, users can easily update the optical module, fault location.
However, with the continuous development of the network, the disadvantages of GBIC module are gradually. The main disadvantage is too big because the business board optical density is low so that the business board can’t accommodate a sufficient number of GBIC, unable to adapt to the rapid development of the network trend.
SFP Module
SFP module is the most widely use product.  SFP module inherits the hot swappable characteristics of GBIC and also draws on the miniaturization advantages of the SFF module with the LC connector. SFP module is reduced the volume and consumption by designing the CDR and EDC outside the module. SFP module is used to connect network devices, such as, switches, routers and others. It is widely applied to the telecommunications and data communications.
SFF Module
SFF module is another branch of the development of the fiber optic transceiver module. Currently, the SFF modules are widely used in the ONU of EPON systems. Since the ONU products of EPON systems are usually placed in the client which needs the ONUs be fixed, not hot-pluggable, the SFF is popular in EPON systems. And with the rapid development of EPNO technology, the SFF market share is also gradually expanded.
XENPAK Module
XENPAK is an important step in the evolution of the optical modules. The XENPAK architecture provides a XAUI interface for the Media Access Controller.
Compared with not hot-pluggable modules, XENPAK modules is very attractive. But is can’t meet some important market demand. The power consumption of XENPAK is usually 10W, which will cause a certain influence to the structure size because it increase the cost of manufacturing printed circuit board and reduce the precious line space.
X2 Module
X2 modules also adopt the XENPAK electrical interface, but there are a few local exceptions. X2 offers a 4bit port address space, a bit less than XENPAK. X2 also reduces the number of power supply pin. In the aspect of optical technology, X2 supports 10GbE, OC192 synchronous optical network, 10GFC and other standards.
XFP Module
10G small hot-pluggable XFP module is different from the XENPAK architecture and its 4-channel interface. XFP module adopts full-speed single serial module of a XFI (10Gb serial interface) to replace the XENPAK and its derived products. Since the XFP module doesn’t have serializer/ deserializer, XFP is smaller, cheaper than XENPAK. And its’ power consumption is also less than XENPAK.
SFP+ Module
SFP+ module is smaller than XFP module. It transferred the circuit, which is used for the clock and data recovery, from the chip to the card.  With its miniaturization, low cost and other advantages, SFP+ meets the high-density demand of device. From 2002 to 2010, SFP+ has replaced XFP to be the mainstream of 10G market.
QSFP+ Module
Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable, the QSFP+ has 4-channel SFP+ interfaces. QSFP+ is designed as the high-speed pluggable solution to meet higher-density of market. As a fiber optical solution, the speed and density are both better than the 4-channel CX4 interface.  Since QSFP+ can support 4 channels’ data transmission at 10Gbps per channel with the same port size of XFP, the density of QSFP+ ups to 4 times of XFP products.
CSFP Module
The CSFP transceivers are high performance, cost effective modules supporting 2.488Gbps and 20km transmission distance with SMF. The transceiver consists of three sections: a   laser transmitter, a photodiode integrated with a trans-impedance preamplifier (TIA) and MCU control unit. All modules satisfy class I laser safety requirements.
The CSFP MSA defines a transceiver mechanical form-factor with latching mechanism and a host board, SFP-like, electrical edge connector and cage. The CSFF MSA also defines a transceiver mechanical form-factor. The dual-channel CSFP is compatible with the standard SFP cage.
The single-channel CSFP and CSFF are half the size of the industry-standard SFP and SFF packages. The CSFF design is modular to enable configurations of integrated 2ch modules. In future FIBERLAND will develop 4ch CSFP modules. These highly integrated compact transceiver modules will enable network system vendors to increase port density and data throughput, while reducing network equipment cost.
CFP Module
CFP is a hot-pluggable transceiver that supports a wide range of 40 and 100 Gb/s applications such as 40G and 100G Ethernet, OC-768/STM-256, OTU3, and OTU4. Different versions of CFP modules can support various link distances over either multimode or single mode fiber optics.
The CFP module includes numerous innovative features like advanced thermal management, EMI management and enhanced signal integrity design, as well as an MDIO-based management interface.

Rapid Progression for Global 100G Optical Transceivers 2017-2021

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In recent years, with the growing demand for reliable and high-speed mobile communication, optical transceivers are progressively being used for the communication network setup. In addition, the rising deployment of 100G transceivers forhigh-speed networks is one of the prime factors contributing to high demand for optical transceivers. As per a recent researchstudy titled “Global 100G Optical Transceivers Market,” owing to some various prime factors, the global market is anticipatedto grow at a strong rate by the end of 2021. This latest study has been lately broadcasted to the wide database of Market Research Hub (MRH), which offers athorough analysis of the global market, together with analysis of market size by value, volume, growth, segments etc.
For Ethernet systems, optical transceivers serve a necessary role in conveying information across communication channels andbecame a preferred choice because they offer higher bandwidth over long distance; and most importantly provides data security.
An optical transceiver completes the operation of transmission by converting the electrical signal in light pulse and vice versa at the receiving end through the use of optical fibers.
In the initial section, the report introduces the overview of 100G optical transceivers and analyzes the market by value anddifferent segments. Nowadays, the optical transceivers are available at different rates such as 10G, 40G and 100G. As standards transform, so does the technology that utilizes these standards, creating for faster, smaller transceivers for networks to utilize
in sending information. Among these, optical transceivers operating on 100G offer the most effective data transmission.
Moreover, the global market can be segmented on the basis of form factor, technical application and network reach.On the basis of technical application, it has been categorized into data communication and telecommunication. On the basis of end-use, it covers Long haul, Metro, Inter-data center.
At present market, the 100G optical transceiver module on the basis of form factor include CXP, CFP, XFP, SFF, SFP and QSFP. Among them, QSFP demonstrates its great superiority and will lead to denser optics and further price reductions.
Moving further, competitive landscape section is represented. In this section, different companies in the global 100G optical transceivers market have been compared according to their revenue and market capitalization. Additionally, the report also provides business overview, financial overview and the business strategies of the companies.

100 Gigabit Ethernet optical transceiver market set for growth

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Globally, 10G, 40G, and 100G optical transceiver revenues totaled $1.9 billion in 2016, up 18% from 2015, and are expected
to grow a further 10% to reach $2.1 billion for full-year 2014, according to the latest report from Infonetics Research.
In the first half of 2014 (1H14), 10G, 40G and 100G transceiver revenues grew 11% from the same period a year ago,
according to the report. This increase is due almost entirely to the increase in shipments of 100G WDM and 40G QSFP+ modules,
the market research firm says. However, the long-anticipated ramp of 100 Gigabit Ethernet (100GbE) optical modules may be at hand.
“Major growth in the data center for 100 Gigabit Ethernet is on the horizon due to new silicon entering the market and lower-cost
QSFP28 optics, including SR4 and much cheaper 2-km LR4 optics,” said Andrew Schmitt, principal analyst for carrier
transport networking at Infonetics Research. “Interest in 25GbE is also building momentum for a jump in these formats.
“In the telecom world, the market for 100G coherent equipment is controlled by five vendors – Alcatel-Lucent, Ciena, Cisco,
Huawei, and Infinera – who are vertically integrated, and this is preventing an incursion by standalone component vendors,”
he added. Infonetics forecasts the coherent WDM market to double in 2014.
Meanwhile, volumes in the metro 100G market are expected to ramp in a year and, according to service providers, this will be led
by data center and Internet content providers, Schmitt notes.
Interest in 100G data center network optics is accelerating, but has yet to be turbocharged by widespread data center deployment
in the way 40G QSFP optics have been.
Shipments of 40GbE QSFP optics in 1H14 were lower than anticipated due to softer demand from Internet content providers,
whose needs remain unpredictable, the market research firm says. Even so, growth in 40G data center interfaces is now
affecting 10G volumes, as QSFP+-based interfaces used for high-density 10G start encroaching; growth in the 10G datacom
segment is expected to slow down as a result starting this year, the firm suggests.
Infonetics’ “10G/40G/100G Optical Transceivers” report tracks in granular detail 10G, 40G, and 100G optical transceivers sold
into the optical transport, enterprise, data center, and carrier routing, and switching markets. It provides worldwide market size,
forecasts through 2018, analysis, and trends for manufacturer revenue, units shipped, and ARPU. The report analyzes the optical
transceiver market by module speed, reach, wavelength, and form factor. Unit volume forecasts are based on Infonetics’
1G/10G/40G/100G Networking Ports forecast, which aggregates trends from a wide range of enterprise, data center,
optical transport, and carrier routing and switching equipment.

What is an SFP and How is it Used?

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Mayday, mayday. We have a problem! We have two switches who desperately want to talk to each other but the walls of their switch cabinets are restricting conversation and they are located 7 feet away from each other. Luckily there is a transceiver that can help us out: the small form-factor pluggable.
What is an SFP and How is it Used?
The small form-factor pluggable (SFP) is a compact, hot-pluggable transceiver used for data communication applications.  These small metal devices plug into a special switch slot and support communication over either fiber optic or copper networking cable.
To select the right transceiver, you will need to base it on the type of cable you are using, copper or fiber.  To communicate over fiber optic cable, make sure you select a transceiver that matches the slot bandwidth and speed of the device you are connecting to (1Gbps or 10Gbps) and your cable’s connector type (LC or SC). To communicate over copper, select a transceiver with an RJ-45 Ethernet port. Some transceivers support specialty applications such as Infiniband (sometimes used in high-speed storage networks). Make sure you understand your application requirements first, then select your transceiver accordingly.
Optical Transceiver options
GBIC- Originally named Gigabit Interconnect. Typically used for the Cisco 2900 & 3900 series switches, 10/100 megabit.
SFP- Originally named Small form factor pluggable. Commonly used for the Cisco Catalyst 3560 & 3760 series switches amongst others. These SFPs will support Gigabit uplink connection
SFP+- Higher throughput with an enhanced version that will give you 10G uplink capability.  Commonly used for 3560x & 3750x series switches amongst others.
Benefits & Why You May Need One
These SFP transceivers are hot-swappable and have the capability to allow modifications which can be added after the initial purchase. These transceivers can also be deployed in “mix-use” environment of single-mode/multi-mode SFPs and a variety of hardware providing a flexible and customizable solution. If you are looking to have your switches communicate at a faster rate, installing an SFP may be useful. If you are looking for a little more speed in your transfer rates, you will need to have a switch or expansion module that supports 10GbE to use a 10GbE SFP+ transceiver, but not all switches/modules support that.
From the looks of it, these SFP’s fits the bill for all of our switches and/or routers to communicate with each other. If you are in the market to buy any type of SFP, check out Fiberland as we offer a variety of options from Cisco Original, and compatible options.