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 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?

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.

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