Monthly Archives: January 2018

What Is SFP Fiber Module?

Nowadays, almost all enterprise-class switches include two or more SFP (small form-factor pluggable) ports, allowing them to become part of a ring or star-based network topology spread among different buildings, floors or areas, and connected via fiber optic cabling. In many cases, SFP module is also known as GBIC (mini-Gigabit interface converter) modules, as they have replaced the older GBIC transceivers. SFPs can be used and interchanged on a wide variety of products, and they can be either SFP fiber module or SFP copper module.

What Is SFP Fiber Module?

SFP fiber modules are connected by fiber optical cables, which are available with a variety of transmitter and receiver types, allowing users to select the appropriate transceiver for each link to provide the required optical reach over multimode fiber or single-mode fiber.

sfp fiber module

Optical SFP modules are commonly available in several different categories with different features:

  • For multi-mode fiber, with black or beige extraction lever; for single-mode fiber, with blue extraction lever
  • SX – 850 nm, for a maximum of 550 m at 1.25 Gb/s (Gigabit Ethernet) or 150m at 4.25 Gb/s (Fibre Channel)
  • LX – 1310 nm, for distances up to 10 km
  • BX – 1490 nm/1310 nm, Single Fiber Bi-Directional Gigabit SFP Transceivers, paired as BS-U and BS-D for Uplink and Downlink respectively, also for distances up to 10 km
  • 1550 nm 40 km (XD), 80 km (ZX), 120 km (EX or EZX)

SFP Fiber Module Datasheet

With a wide application in optical network, many manufactures like Cisco and FS.COM provide a variety SFP modules. These models can be used on a wide variety of network equipment 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. Part of the main products of Cisco SFP Fiber Modules are listed as below.

Product Wavelength (nm) Fiber Type Operating Distance (m) Transmit Power Range (dBm) Receive Power Range (dBm)
1000BASE-SX 850 MMF 220, 275, 500, 1000 -3 to -9.5 0 to -17
1000BASE-LX/LH 1310 MMF, SMF 550, 10000 -3 to -9.5 -3 to -20
1000BASE-EX 1310 SMF 40000 +3 to -1 +1 to -22
1000BASE-ZX 1550 SMF Around 70 km +5 to 0 -3 to -23
1000BASE-BX-U 1310 SMF 10000 3 to -9 -3 to -19.5
1000BASE-BX-D 1490 SMF 10000 3 to -9 -3 to -19.5
GLC-BX40-D-I 1550 SMF 40000 -5 to +3 -25 to +3
GLC-BX80-D-I 1490 SMF 80000 -2 to +3 -27 to +3
GLC-GE-DR-LX 1310 SMF 10000 -9.5 to -3 -25 to +3

SFP Fiber Module vs SFP Copper Module

SFP port can be plugged in with both SFP fiber module and SFP copper module. The biggest difference between SFP fiber module and SFP copper module lies in the cabling method. As it has been mentioned before, a SFP fiber module runs on a optical fiber (SMF/MMF). While a copper SFP works on a twisted copper cable (CAT5/CAT5a/cat6). Except for the cabling specification, their transmission distances and connectors are also different.

SFP Module Type Cabling Method Connector Transmission Distance Maximum transmission rate
SFP Fiber Module optical fiber RJ45 100m 1000 Mbps / 1 Gbps
SFP Copper Module twisted copper cable Duplex LC Over 100m 1000 Mbps / 1 Gbps

Summary

SFP module can connect various network devices such as switch, router, or fiber media converter to a fiber optic or copper networking cable. It is a popular industry format jointly developed and supported by many network component vendors. For SFP fiber module, it can transmit signal over a longer distance than SFP copper module. And the price for SFP fiber module is also cheaper than SFP copper module, so it gains more edges and popularity in the market of SFP modules.

24 Port PoE Gigabit Switch Managed vs Unmanaged: Which One to Choose?

Along with its incredible speed, bandwidth and flexibility, industrial and growing features and functions from the commercial and industrial spaces, all of these can make the simple choice of a switch seem overly complex. To select a right and suitable switch for your network, you have to consider many factors, such as PoE switch or non PoE, managed or unmanaged. And nowadays, 24 port poe gigabit switch is very common and popular with its potential ability to expand operation. Here in this article, we will make a comparison between 24 port PoE gigabit switch managed vs unmanaged to help customers have a clear understanding of them and make the right decision.

24 Port PoE Gigabit Switch Managed vs Unmanaged: What’s the Difference between PoE and Non PoE?

PoE (Power over Ethernet) is a capability that facilitates powering a device (such as an IP phone, IP Surveillance Camera, or Wireless Access Point) over the same cable as the data traffic. One of the advantages of PoE is the flexibility it provides in allowing you to easily place endpoints anywhere in the business, even places where it might be difficult to run a power outlet. One example is that you can place a Wireless Access Point inside a wall or ceiling. Switches deliver power according to a few standards – IEEE 802.3af delivers power up to 15.4 Watts on a switch port whereas IEEE 802.3at (also known as POE+) delivers power up to 30 Watts on a switch port. With a 24 port poe gigabit switch, you can use it in many ways. For example, to power an IP Megapixel Camera network, you’ll need a total power per port of 30W. For a 24 port poe gigabit switch with a power budget of 360W, you can continue to add IP cameras until you reach your budget. If you have 2 SFP ports, you can also connect to multiple switches, as well.

24 port PoE switch

24 Port PoE Gigabit Switch Managed vs Unmanaged: What’s the Difference between Managed and Unmanaged?

Generally speaking, network switches can be classified into two categories: managed and unmanaged. A managed 24 port gigabit poe managed switch refers to a network switch that can be accessed and programmed by a network manager. These switches can be managed on site or remotely. A managed switch is typically used in larger office settings. There are a variety of 24 port gigabit poe managed switch available from leading manufacturers such as FS.COM. On the contrary, an unmanaged switch does not allow a manager to change any settings. It functions according to factory specifications. An unmanaged switch is ideal for home use where modifications are not necessary. More details between managed switches and unmanaged switches can be obtained from the following table.

Type Managed Switches Unmanaged Switches
Features Dynamic ARP Inspection, IPv4 DHCP snooping, QoS, SNMP, VLAN, CLI, IP routing, port mirroring, redundancy, etc. Fixed configuration—doesn’t support any configuration interface or options
Performance Switch can be configured
Control over Access
Control over LAN traffic—Priority
SNMP—Allows for remote troubleshooting of the network
Plug and play with limited configuration like default QoS settings
Security Very good. Provide protection of the data plane, control plane and management plane Not very good. No security other than accessories such as lockable port cover
Costs Expensive Less expensive
Application Places Data center, large size enterprise networks Small size business network, home, lab, conference rooms, etc.

24 Port PoE Gigabit Switch Managed vs Unmanaged: Which One to Choose?

If you are researching 24 port poe gigabit switch, you’ll inevitably come to a crossroads. Do you choose managed or unmanaged switches? Actually the choice is really quite simple. As we have discussed in the previous text, a managed 24 port poe gigabit switch is always better. Why? Security features for starters. They allow administrators visibility and control. But the benefits don’t stop there. 24 port gigabit poe managed switches also offer the ability to program each port individually, which can save power and keep your network operating at peak efficiency. As your organization grows, your business needs will continue to evolve. Having a device that can respond to the dynamic shape of your operation is a good investment. A 24 port gigabit poe managed switch can be used for many things such as IP cameras, wireless access points, and thin clients to fulfill your potential needs. If you don’t need 24 port gigabit poe managed switch, you many still find non poe 24 port switch at FS.COM.