Dummie Guide: Netshield compatible SFP/SFP+/QSFP Transceiver Modules
Netshield compatible transceiver modules are used to add fibre capabilities when connected to a switch and uses DDM/DOM (Digital Diagnostics/Optical Monitoring) technology which gives the end-user the ability to monitor real-time parameters of the transceivers. According to these monitored parameters, network technicians can check and ensure that the module is functioning well and include:
- Predicting Module Lifespan
- Locating Fault Position
- Verifying Module Compatibility
Netshield has been supplying compatible modules for Cisco, Meraki, HP, Avaya, Ruckus and many other brands, for the past 20 years. The Netshield compatible range operates in Full-duplex mode that handles the reception and transmission of all signals at once. One thing to note though is that the transmitter and receiver need to work on different frequencies to avoid collisions between transmitted and reception signals.
Bi-Directional Transceiver Modules operates on ordinary single-mode SINGLE STRAND fibre-optic link spans of up to 10km in length. A pair of a 100BASE-BX-D and a 100BASE-BX-U SFP is needed for the single strand deployment.
Coarse Wave Division Multiplexing (CWDM) Solution allows scalable and easy-to-deploy Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) and Fibre Channel services and offers a convenient and cost-effective solution for the adoption of optical Gigabit Ethernet in campus, data centre, and metropolitan-area access networks. It consists of a set of eight different CWDM SFP/SFP+ modules.
Typical standards of transceiver modules:
SFP / 1GB Transceiver Modules link equipment in telecom and data communications like switches and routers. They support applications like Fibre-to-the-desktop (FTTD), SONET/SDH Network, Gigabit Ethernet, and High-speed computer links among others. Standards available:
- SX Standard = Fibre 1000 Base (1Gbp), Multimode, <500m (Distance), 850nm
- LH Standard = Fibre 1000 Base (1Gbps), Singlemode, <10km (Distance), 1310nm
- ZX Standard = Fibre 1000 Base (1Gbps), Singlemode, 70-150km (Distance), 1550nm
- T-Standard = Copper, <100m (Distance)
SFP+ / 10GB are an upgraded version of the SFP that supports up to 10Gbps data rates and are available in the following standards:
- SR Standard (Short Range) = Fibre 10GBase, Multimode, <300-400m, 850nm
- LR Standard (Long Range) = Fibre 10GBase, Singlemode, 10-25km, 1310nm
- ER Standard (Extended Range) = Fibre 10Gbase, Singlemode, 25-30km
QSFP / 40GB transceiver modules offer a variety of IEEE- and MSA-compliant devices for copper and fibre networks that help enable connectivity between server access, top-of-rack, and end-of-row switches deployed in high-performance computing networks. The Bi-Directional (BiDi) Transceiver currently offers the industry’s most cost-effective solution for 40-Gigabit connectivity. By transmitting full-duplex 40 Gigabit Ethernet over one duplex multimode fibre (MMF), it can enable seamless 10 to 40 GE migration over your 10 GE fibre infrastructure.
Compatible transceiver modules vs original modules
Compatible transceiver modules are a fraction of the price of an original branded product. The user has the option via CLI to turn on the support for 3rd part modules. As it is a pluggable device, it will not affect the warranty on branded switches as all cables and transceiver modules will have to be removed before a branded device is sent in for repair.