Optical Transceiver Modules

GBIC

Gigabit Interface Converters (GBICs) were the first generation of Optical transceivers typically used in Gigabit Ethernet applications. GBICS can be used in networking equipment from the major brands including Cisco, HP and Brocade. See all GBIC's

SFP

Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) are the second generation of Optical Transceivers and are a much smaller design than the original GBICs. This means that Networking devices can have a higher density than was possible in the past and the majority of networking manufacturers have adopted the SFP as the standard Optical Transceiver. See all SFP's

SFP+

The Small Form-factor Pluggable Plus (SFP+) Optical Transceiver has been adopted as the standard Optical Transceiver for Ten Gigabit Ethernet applications. Using the same form-factor as the standard SFP means that a high density can be achieved in a relatively small footprint, making them a cost effective solution to your TenGigabit Ethernet requirements. See all SFP+'s

X2

The X2 Optical Transceiver was the second generation of Transceiver predominantly used in Ten Gigabit Ethernet applications and has a much larger footprint than the more modern SFP+. Some manufacturers such as Cisco still use the X2 Optical Transceiver in some linecards and switch uplinks and connection is made using an SC fibre connecter. See all X2's

Xenpak

The Xenpak Optical Transceiver was the first generation of transceiver and includes much more circuitry than the modern SFP+ and is considerably larger in size. Typically used in some of the early Cisco linecards and switches the X2 provides connectivity to TenGigabit Ethernet networks via an SC fibre connecter. See all Xenpak's

XFP

XFP Optical Transceivers are typically provide connectivity to TenGigabit Ethernet, SONET/SDH and Fibrechannel networks and provides network connectivity using a LC fibre connector. XFP Optical Transceivers are slightly larger than SFP+ and although not common are still used by manufacturers such as Cisco. See all XFP's

CWDM

Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) Optical Transceivers enable you to transport up to eight channels of either Gigabit Ethernet or Fibrechannel which means that you can multiplex a number of services through the single strand of fibre optic cabling and still maintain the integrity of the data. See all CWDM's

DWDM

Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) takes CWDM to the next level. Whereas CWDM provides a maximum of eight channels, DWDM provides a maximum of 160 channels which means you can multiplex more services down a single strand of fibre. The DWDM Optical Transceivers are available in a number of different wavelengths which means that you can multiplex Gigabit Ethernet and Fibrechannel services and maintain the integrity of the data. See all DWDM's