Cisco SFP Modules for Gigabit Ethernet
Applications
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
● Hot swappable to maximize uptime and simplify serviceability
● Flexibility of media and interface choice on a port-by-port basis, so you can “pay as you populate”
● Robust design for enhanced reliability
● Supports digital optical monitoring (DOM) capability
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.
1000BASE-SX SFP for Multimode Fiber Only
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 http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/modules/ps5455/product_bulletin_c25-
530836.html.
1000BASE-EX SFP for Long-Reach Single-Mode Fibers
The 1000BASE-EX SFP operates on standard single-mode fiber-optic link spans of up to 40 km in length. A 5-dB
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 fiberoptic cable span loss is less than 8 dB.
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-BX10-U 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.
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).
Figure 5. Compact SFP Deployment with Cisco Catalyst 4500
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.
Catalyst 3550, 3560, 3560-C, 3560-E, 3560-X Series
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Catalyst 3750-E Series, 3750 Metro, 3750-X Series
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Catalyst 3850 Series
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Catalyst 4500 and 4500-X Series
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Catalyst 4900 Series
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Catalyst 6000 Series
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Catalyst 6800 Series
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Cisco uBR7200 Series
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Cisco 7200, 7300, 7500, and 7600 Series Routers
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Cisco 10000 and uBR 10000 Series Routers
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Cisco 10700 Series Internet Router
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Cisco 12000 Series Router
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Cisco 2000 Connected Grid Router Series
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Cisco 2500 Connected Grid Switch Series
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Cisco IE2000 and IE2000U Series
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Cisco IE3010 Series
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Cisco MDS 9000
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Cisco ME 2400
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Cisco ME 2600X
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Cisco ME 3400
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Cisco ME 3600X and ME 3800X
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Cisco ME 4600 and ME 4900 Series
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Cisco ME 6500 Series
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Cisco MWR 2941 Mobile Wireless Router
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.
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 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.
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.
Platform Support
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
Additional platforms may continually be added; please check the compatibility matrix for the latest information and for the Cisco
compatible operating system for each platform.
Product Specifications
Cabling and Connectors
Connectors include the following:
● Dual LC/PC connector (1000BASE-SX, 1000BASE-LX/LH, 1000BASE-EX and 1000BASE-ZX)
● Single LC/PC connector (1000BASE-BX-D and 1000BASE-BX-U)
● RJ-45 connector (1000BASE-T)
Note: Only connections with patch cords with PC or UPC connectors are supported. Patch cords with APC
connectors are not supported. All cables and cable assemblies used must be compliant with the standards
specified in the standards section.
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 single-mode
fiber) is 6.5 feet (2 m).
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)
770 to 860
1000BASELX/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
1000BASEBX10-D
-3 to -9
-3 to -19.5
5.5 (G.652 SMF)
1480 to 1500 (Transmit)
1260 to 1360 (Receive)
1000BASEBX10-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)
GLC-GE-DR-LX
-9.5 to -3
-25 to -3
6 (G.652 SMF)
1260 to 1360
*
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.
***
Specified at transmission wavelength.
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.
Dimensions
Dimensions (H x W x D): 8.5 x 13.4 x 56.5 mm. Cisco SFPs typically weigh 75 grams or less.
Environmental Conditions and Power Requirements
Operating temperature range:
● Commercial temperature range (COM): 0 to 70°C (32 to 158°F)
● Extended temperature range (EXT): -5°C to 85°C (23 to 185°F)
● Industrial temperature range (IND): -40 to 85°C (-40 to 185°F)
● Storage temperature range: -40 to 85°C (-40 to 185°F)
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