Cost-effective Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) transceivers for Gigabit Ethernet
applications
Product overview
The industry-standard Cisco® Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) Gigabit Interface Converter (Figure 1) links
your switches and routers to the network. The hot-swappable input/output device plugs into a Gigabit Ethernet
port or slot. Optical and copper models can be used on a wide variety of Cisco products and intermixed in
combinations of 1000BASE-T, 1000BASE-SX, 1000BASE-LX/LH, 1000BASE-EX, 1000BASE-ZX, or
1000BASE-BX10-D/U on a port-by-port basis.
Figure 1.
Cisco Optical Gigabit Ethernet SFP
Figure 2.
Cisco 1000BASE-T Copper SFP
Figure 3.
Cisco 2-Channel 1000BASE-BX Optical SFP
Features and benefits
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Hot swappable to maximize uptime and simplify serviceability
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Flexibility of media and interface choice on a port-by-port basis, so you can “pay as you populate”
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Robust design for enhanced reliability
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Supports Digital Optical Monitoring (DOM) capability
1000BASE-T SFP for copper networks
The 1000BASE-T SFP operates on standard Category 5 unshielded twisted-pair copper cabling of link lengths
up to 100 m (328 ft). Cisco 1000BASE-T SFP modules support 10/100/1000 auto negotiation and Auto
MDI/MDIX.
The 1000BASE-SX SFP, compatible with the IEEE 802.3z 1000BASE-SX standard, operates on legacy 50 μm
multimode fiber links up to 550 m and on 62.5 μm Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI)-grade multimode
fibers up to 220 m. It can support up to 1km over laser-optimized 50 μm multimode fiber cable.
1000BASE-LX/LH SFP for both multimode and single-mode fibers
The 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP, compatible with the IEEE 802.3z 1000BASE-LX standard, operates on standard
single-mode fiber-optic link spans of up to 10 km and up to 550 m on any multimode fibers. When used over
legacy multimode fiber type, the transmitter should be coupled through a mode conditioning patch cable. For
details on this implementation, refer to
The 1000BASE-EX SFP operates on standard single-mode fiber-optic link spans of up to 40 km in length. A 5dB inline optical attenuator should be inserted between the fiber-optic cable and the receiving port on the SFP
at each end of the link for back-to-back connectivity.
1000BASE-ZX SFP for long-reach single-mode fibers
The 1000BASE-ZX SFP operates on standard single-mode fiber-optic link spans of up to approximately 70 km
in length. The SFP provides an optical link budget of 21 dB, but the precise link span length depends on
multiple factors such as fiber quality, number of splices, and connectors.
When shorter distances of Single-Mode Fiber (SMF) are used, it might be necessary to insert an inline optical
attenuator in the link to avoid overloading the receiver. A 10-dB inline optical attenuator should be inserted
between the fiber-optic cable plant and the receiving port on the SFP at each end of the link whenever the
fiber-optic cable span loss is less than 8 dB.
100/1000BASE-LX SFP for long-reach single-mode fibers
The dual-rate 100M/1G 10Km SFP is interoperable with the IEEE 100BASE-LX and 1000BASE-LX/LH
standards.
The GLC-GE-DR-LX SFP also supports Digital Optical Monitoring (DOM) functions according to the industrystandard SFF-8472 Multisource Agreement (MSA). This feature gives the end user the ability to monitor realtime parameters of the SFP, such as optical output power, optical input power, temperature, laser bias current,
and transceiver supply voltage.
SFP Operation at 100M
The GLC-GE-DR-LX SFP can interoperate with other 100M SFPs/interfaces as long as those are based on
100BASE-LX10 standard. A 5dB attenuator is needed on the path of dual-rate SFP Tx and 100BASE-LX10
interface Rx. No attenuator is needed on the other fiber strand.
SFP Operation at 1G
The GLC-GE-DR-LX SFP can interoperate with other 1G SFPs/interfaces as long as those are based on
1000BASE-LX/LH standard. No attenuator is needed in any fiber strand.
1000BASE-BX10-D and 1000BASE-BX10-U SFP for single-fiber bidirectional applications
The 1000BASE-BX-D and 1000BASE-BX-U SFPs, compatible with the IEEE 802.3ah 1000BASE-BX10-D and
1000BASE-BX10-U standards, operate on a single strand of standard SMF.
A 1000BASE-BX10-D device is always connected to a 1000BASE-BX10-U device with a single strand of
standard SMF with an operating transmission range up to 10 km. The communication over a single strand of
fiber is achieved by separating the transmission wavelength of the two devices as depicted in Figure 2:
1000BASE-BX10-D transmits a 1490-nm channel and receives a 1310-nm signal, whereas 1000BASE-BX10U transmits at a 1310-nm wavelength and receives a 1490-nm signal. As shown, the presence of a
Wavelength-Division Multiplexing (WDM) splitter integrated into the SFP to split the 1310-nm and 1490-nm
light paths.
Figure 4.
Bidirectional transmission of a single strand of SMF
The GLC-BX-D and GLC-BX-U SFPs also support Digital Optical Monitoring (DOM) functions according to the
industry-standard SFF-8472 Multisource Agreement (MSA). This feature gives the end user the ability to
monitor real-time parameters of the SFP, such as optical output power, optical input power, temperature, laser
bias current, and transceiver supply voltage.
The GLC-BX-D-I and GLC-BX-U-I are the Industrial temperature rated (IND) counterparts of GLC-BX-D and
GLC-BX-U SFPS. This allows link operation in harsh environmental conditions where the module case
temperature can be in the range -40°C to 85°C.
2-Channel 1000BASE-BX10-D for single-fiber bidirectional applications
The 2-channel 1000BASE-BX-D SFP module, also known as Compact SFP, integrates two IEEE 802.3ah
1000BASE-BX10-D interfaces in one SFP module. The GLC-2BX-D or GLC-2BX-D-I is always connected to
two 1000BASE-BX10-U interfaces over two single strands of standard SMF with an operating transmission
range up to 10km.
GLC-2BX-D or GLC-2BX-D-I is designed to connect to any standard-based Customer Premises Equipment
(CPE) in FTTx links (Figure 3).
1000BASE-BX40-D and 1000BASE-BX40-U for single-fiber bidirectional applications
The Cisco GLC-BX40-D-I, GLC-BX40-DA-I, and GLC-BX40-U-I SFPs operate on a single strand of standard
SMF.
A GLC-BX40-D-I or GLC-BX40-DA-I device connects to a GLC-BX40-U-I device with a single strand of
standard SMF with an operating transmission range up to 40 km.
The communication over a single strand of fiber is achieved by separating the transmission wavelength of the
two devices. The GLC-BX40-D-I, GLC-BX40-DA-I, and GLC-BX40-U-I SFPs also support Digital Optical
Monitoring (DOM) functions according to the industry-standard SFF-8472 Multisource Agreement (MSA). This
feature gives the end user the ability to monitor real-time parameters of the SFP, such as optical output power,
optical input power, temperature, laser bias current, and transceiver supply voltage.
1000BASE-BX80-D and 1000BASE-BX80-U for single-fiber bidirectional applications
The Cisco GLC-BX80-D-I and GLC-BX80-U-I SFPs operate on a single strand of standard SMF.
A GLC-BX80-D-I device is always connected to a GLC-BX80-U-I device with a single strand of standard SMF
with an operating transmission range up to 80 km.
The communication over a single strand of fiber is achieved by separating the transmission wavelength of the
two devices. The GLC-BX80-D-I and GLC-BX80-U-I SFPs also support Digital Optical Monitoring (DOM)
functions according to the industry-standard SFF-8472 Multisource Agreement (MSA). This feature gives the
end user the ability to monitor real-time parameters of the SFP, such as optical output power, optical input
power, temperature, laser bias current, and transceiver supply voltage.
The Cisco 1-Gbps SFPs are supported across a variety of Cisco networking equipment*. For more details, refer
to the document SFP Compatibility Matrix at:
Table 1 provides cabling specifications for the SFPs that you install in the Gigabit Ethernet port. Note that all
SFP ports have LC-type connectors, and the minimum cable distance for all SFPs listed (multimode and singlemode fiber) is 6.5 feet (2 m).
Table 1.SFP Port cabling specifications
*
A mode-conditioning patch cord, as specified by the IEEE standard, is required regardless of the span length. Note how the mode
conditioning patch cord for 62.5-μm fibers has a different specification from the mode-conditioning patch cord for 50-μm fibers.
**
ITU-T G.652 SMF as specified by the IEEE 802.3z standard.
Maximum Channel insertion
loss in dB (by fiber type)*
Transmit and Receive
Wavelength Range (nm)
1000BASE-SX
-3 to -9.5
0 to -17
2.4 (FDDI-grade)
2.6 (OM1)
3.4 (400/400)
3.6 (OM2)
5 (OM3)
5 (OM4)
5 (OM5)
770 to 860
1000BASE-LX/LH
-3 to -9.5
-3 to -20
2.4 (any MMF)
6 (G.652 SMF)
1270 to 1355
1000BASE-EX
+3 to -1
+1 to -22
18 (G.652 SMF)
1290 to 1335
1000BASE-ZX
+5 to 0
-3 to -23
21 (any SMF)
1500 to 1580
GLC-GE-DR-LX
-9.5 to -3
-25 to -3
6 (G.652 SMF)
1260 to 1360
1000BASE-BX10-D
-3 to -9
-3 to -19.5
5.5 (G.652 SMF)
1480 to 1500 (Transmit)
1260 to 1360 (Receive)
1000BASE-BX10-U
-3 to -9
-3 to -19.5
6 (G.652 SMF)
1260 to 1360 (Transmit)
1480 to 1500 (Receive)
GLC-BX40-D-I
-5 to +3
-25 to +3
19 (G.652 SMF)
1540 to 1560 (Transmit)
1260 to 1360 (Receive)
GLC-BX40-DA-I
-5 to +3
-25 to +3
19 (G.652 SMF)
1480 to 1500 (Transmit)
1260 to 1360 (Receive)
GLC-BX40-U-I
-5 to +3
-25 to +3
19 (G.652 SMF)
1260 to 1360 (Transmit)
1480 to 1600 (Receive)
GLC-BX80-D-I
-2 to +3
-27 to +3
23 (G.652 SMF)
1560 to 1580 (Transmit)
1470 to 1510 (Receive)
GLC-BX80-U-I
-2 to +3
-27 to +3
23 (G.652 SMF)
1480 to 1500 (Transmit)
1550 to 1620 (Receive)
Optical specifications
Table 2 specifies the optical parameters for the SFPs. Both receiver power and channel insertion loss
specifications must be met for guaranteed operation.
Table 2.Main optical parameters
*
Maximum channel insertion loss is defined for maximum distance guaranteed as specified in Table 1 and by fiber type. When links are
deployed over shorter distances, additional channel insertion loss may be allowed.
1000BASE-BX10-U upstream bidirectional single fiber,
(IND) rated, with DOM
GLC-BX-U-I
2-channel 1000BASE-BX10-D downstream bidirectional
single fiber; with DOM
GLC-2BX-D
2-channel 1000BASE-BX10-D downstream bidirectional
single fiber; with DOM
GLC-2BX-D-I
1000BASE-BX40-D for 40km Single-Fiber Bidirectional
Applications; with DOM
GLC-BX40-D-I
1000BASE-BX40-D (Alternative) for 40km Single-Fiber
Bidirectional Applications; with DOM
GLC-BX40-DA-I
1000BASE-BX40-U for 40km Single-Fiber Bidirectional
Applications; with DOM
GLC-BX40-U-I
1000BASE-BX80-D for 80km Single-Fiber Bidirectional
Applications; with DOM
GLC-BX80-D-I
1000BASE-BX80-U for 80km Single-Fiber Bidirectional
Applications; with DOM
GLC-BX80-U-I
Sustainability topic
Reference
Information on product material content laws and regulations
Materials
Information on electronic waste laws and regulations, including products, batteries, and packaging
WEEE compliance
Warranty
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Standard warranty: 5 years
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Expedited replacement available via a Cisco SMARTnet® Service support contract
Cisco environmental sustainability
Information about Cisco’s environmental sustainability policies and initiatives for our products, solutions,
operations, and extended operations or supply chain is provided in the “Environment Sustainability” section of
Cisco’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report.
Reference links to information about key environmental sustainability topics (mentioned in the “Environment
Sustainability” section of the CSR Report) are provided in the following table:
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legal developments, and Cisco does not represent, warrant, or guarantee that it is complete, accurate, or up to
date. This information is subject to change without notice.
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