What Is a Gigabit SFP?

Most Gigabit SFPs use optic signals and fiber-optic cabling.

From its initial appearance in June 1998 onward, Gigabit Ethernet and the equipment it uses to function have enjoyed increasingly wider acceptance. As an industrial-strength version of the common Ethernet standard, Gigabit Ethernet is a low-cost, high-speed and easy-to-implement network solution suitable for not only business and commercial use but increasingly for home networks as well. Among the items of equipment necessary to run a Gigabit network is a small form-factor pluggable transceiver module, commonly known as a Gigabit SFP.

Facts

Gigabit Ethernet is an IEEE-approved addition to standard Ethernet protocol. The method and speed of signal transmission make it a good choice for organizations already using Ethernet technology to solve traffic-flow problems without having to overhaul an entire network. In a best-case scenario, migrating to Gigabit Ethernet is as simple as purchasing and plugging Gigabit SFPs into network devices and connecting existing cabling. New cabling may be required, if current cabling does not meet Gigabit standards.

Identification

A Gigabit SFP is a highly efficient connection and communication module for Gigabit Ethernet. After setting up and plugging the module into a networking device equipped with an SFP Multi-Sourcing Agreement-compliant port, most make a conversion from electronic to optic signals and use fiber-optic cables to increase both speed of transmission and signal clarity. Full duplex capabilities give all Gigabit SFPs the capacity to simultaneously transmit and receive signals increasing signal transmission speed to the point of effectively doubling bandwidth.

Components

Gigabit SFP modules most often come in speeds of 10, 40 and 100 Gigabits and are “hot pluggable,” meaning you can install them without having to power down or restart your network server. Some Gigabit SFPs support copper cabling but because it is a heavier and slightly slower transmission medium, fiber optic SFPs are a more common choice. Depending on whether a fiber-optic SFP module uses single or multimode cable, it will either connect to an LED or laser-diode light source.

Availability/Price

Gigabit SFP modules are available from brick-and-mortar and Web-based retail sites, as well as computer-related companies such as Cisco, Dell and CDW. Prices vary, so after you decide on a specific model, comparison-shopping is a good next step. As an example, as of the publication date, the price for a Gigabit 850nm Multi Mode SFP Fiber Optical Transceiver ranges from a high of about $181 through the Dell Company, a medium price of $113 through StarTech -- the manufacturer -- to a low price of about $76 through New Egg.

References

• Pulse: What are Gigbit Ethernet?
• GlobalSpec Electronics: Fiber Optic Transceivers Information
• Cisco: Cisco Transceiver Modules
• Huihong Technologies: Fiber Optic Products

Resources

• Dell: Gigabit 850nm Multi Mode SFP Fiber Optical Transceiver - LC 550m
• StarTech.com: Gigabit 850nm Multi Mode SFP Fiber Optical Transceiver - LC 550m
• NewEgg.com: Star Tech Gigabit 850nm Multi Mode SFP Fiber Optical Transceiver - LC 550m
• The Fiber Optic Association: Copper or Fiber? What’s the real Story?