Networking

As we know, a common SFP transceiver is generally with two ports, one is TX port which is used to transmit the signal, and the other one is RX port which is used to receive signals. Unlike common SFP transceiver, BiDi SFP transceiver is only with one port which uses an integral WDM coupler to transmit and receive signals over a single strand fiber. In fact, the compact SFP is a 2-channel BiDi SFP, which integrates two BiDi SFP in one SFP module. Therefore, a compact SFP is also with two ports as the common SFP. SFP, BiDi SFP and Compact SFP Connection Methods All  SFP transceivers  must be used in pairs. For common SFPs, we should connect the two SFPs which have the same wavelength together. For example, we use a 850nm SFP at one end, then we must use a 850nm SFP on the other end (shown in the figure below). For  BiDi SFP , since it transmits and receives signals with different wavelengths, we should connect the two BiDi SFPs which have the opposite wa...

The WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) transponders, also called O-E-O (optical-electrical-optical) wavelength converters are widely deployed in a variety of networks and applications nowadays, especially the in WDM networking system. In the previous article “ What’s the Difference Between Transceiver & Transponder? “, we have learn that the basic concept about the transponder and make clear the difference with transceiver. Today, I am going to talk something about the applications of WDM transponders through several practical cases. Reviewing the Concept of WDM Transponder WDM transponder is an optical-electrical-optical (O-E-O) wavelength converters which is designed to performs an O-E-O operation to convert wavelengths of light. Figure 1 shows bidirectional transponder operation (the transponder is located between a client device and a DWDM system). From left to right, the transponder receives an optical bit stream operating at one particular wavelength (1310 nm). And t...

Cisco is the leading provider of switches in telecommunication industry. Its switches cover a wide range of applications. One of them is deigned for Metro Ethernet application, which is widely used and known as Cisco ME 3400 series. It is a series of switches which support data rate ranging from 10 M (Mbps) to 1000 M (1 Gbps) with advantages of safety, flexibility, simple deployment and trouble shooting in network. There are several Cisco ME 3400 switch modules with different configurations to satisfy different market needs. The following table is the detailed port information of these switches. Switch Model Port Information Cisco ME 3400-24TS-AC 24 10/100 FastEthernet ports and 2 SFP module ports, AC power Cisco ME 3400-24TS-DC 24 10/100 FastEthernet ports and 2 SFP module ports, DC power ...

FS.COM provides a full range of copper cables and optical transceivers for 100GbE, compliant to the IEEE standards. FS.COM offers QSFP28 to QSFP28 copper cables and active optical cables, to enable short reach options, as well as a wide range of optical transceivers in CFP, CFP2, CFP4 and QSFP28 form factors for various fiber types and reach requirements. IEEE 100G Standard Overview 100 Gigabit Ethernet (100GbE) is the computer networking technology for transmitting Ethernet frames at rates of 100 gigabits per second (100 Gbit/s). The technology was first defined by the IEEE 802.3ba-2010 standard. The 100 Gigabit Ethernet standards encompass a number of different Ethernet physical layer (PHY) specifications. A networking device may support different PHY types by means of transceiver modules. Optical modules are not standardized by any official standards body but are in multi-source agreements (MSAs). The mainly u...

With the growth of virtualization, cloud-based services and applications like VoIP, video streaming and IP surveillance, SMB networks need to extend beyond simple reliability to higher speed and performance. The NETGEAR ProSAFE XS712T and ProSAFE XS728T switches present the right solution for this requirement, delivering unprecedented non-blocking 10G bandwidth at an affordable cost. Have you ever used this series switch in your network? This article may provide the knowledge of NETGEAR ProSAFE series switch’s deployment and its interface requirement. NETGEAR ProSAFE 10G Series Switch Overview As shown in the figure below, the NETGEAR ProSAFE XS712T and ProSAFE XS728T are powerful smart managed switches that come with either 12 or 24 10G copper ports and either 2 combo SFP+ (XS712T) or 4 additional dedicated SFP+ ports (XS728T) for 10G fiber links. Using these 10G slots, you can create high-speed connections to a server or network backbone. For example, you can connect switches to ...

In the previous articles, a variety of transceiver module knowledge have been introduced here. But a special type of transceiver module which called  SFP+ converter module  including X2 to SFP+ adapter module and XENPAK to SFP+ adapter module has never been covered in this blog. What is it? Today, we are going to unveil its mysterious veil. Actually, the SFP+ converter module is not a new product in the market. As early as 2009, Cisco has launched the similar product and announced that it is an ideal option for those users who want to use the 10G XENPAK / X2 interface port of a switch with EXNPAK / X2 modules or SFP+ modules. In general, the SFP+ converter module includes 10G XENPAK to SFP+ converter module and 10G X2 to SFP+ converter module. In the previous posts, we have introduced the  XENPAK  and  X2 modules , as well as the  SFP+ modules . As we know, the XENPAK and X2 modules are the earlier 10G transceiver products, and the SFP+ is the most popul...

Cisco Catalyst 3750 series switches are widely used in today’s access layer of the network, which can provide Ethernet speed of Gigabit. There are a variety of configurations in this series of Cisco switches. They can fit different applications and offering forward data rates from 32G to 128G by using Cisco StackWise technology. It is an economical solution to many midsize enterprises and office. However, to make full use of these switches, how to connect them to network becomes very important. This post will illustrate Cisco Catalyst 3750 series switches connection in details. Do You Know Cisco Catalyst Series Switches? The ports on switches decide what types of connectors and cables can be connected with the switches. Thus, let’s get a close look at Cisco Catalyst 3750 switches ports details first. As mentioned, one of the biggest advantages is that Cisco Catalyst 3750 can support Cisco StackWise technology. Up to nice physical Catalyst 3750 switches can be interconnected into...