Cisco SFP and SFP+ Transceiver Installation Notes

Overview

The SFP transceiver modules are hot-pluggable I/O devices that plug into module sockets. The transceiver connects the electrical circuitry of the module with the optical or copper network. Cisco SFP transceiver module supports the Cisco Quality Identification (ID) feature which allows a Cisco switch or router to identify and validate that the transceiver module is certified and tested by Cisco.

An optical SFP transceiver module is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 SFP Transceiver Module (Fiber-Optic LC Connector)

A copper SFP transceiver module in shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2 1000BASE-T SFP Transceiver Module (RJ-45 Connector)

Some product numbers and brief description of the SFP and SFP+ transceiver modules:

10 Gigabit Ethernet

• SFP-10G-SR Cisco 10GBASE-SR SFP+ transceiver module for MMF, 850-nm wavelength
• SFP-10G-LR Cisco 10GBASE-LR SFP+ transceiver module for SMF, 1310-nm wavelength
• SFP-H10GB-CU1M Cisco 10GBASE-CU passive Twinax SFP+ cable assembly, 1 meter
• SFP-H10GB-CU3M Cisco 10GBASE-CU passive Twinax SFP+ cable assembly, 3 meters

1 Gigabit Ethernet

• GLC-SX-MM Cisco 1000BASE-SX SFP transceiver module for MMF, 850-nm wavelength, commercial operating temperature range.
• GLC-SX-MM-RGD Cisco 1000BASE-SX SFP transceiver module for MMF, 850-nm wavelength, industrial operating temperature range.
• GLC-SX-MMD Cisco 1000BASE-SX SFP transceiver module for MMF, 850-nm wavelength, extended operating temperature range.
• GLC-T 1000BASE-T SFP transceiver module for copper networks, commercial operating temperature range.
• SFP-GE-T 1000BASE-T SFP transceiver module for copper networks, extended operating temperature range.

Fast Ethernet

• GLC-FE-100FX 100BASE-FX SFP module for 100-Mb ports, MMF, 1310-nm wavelength, commercial operating temperature range.
• GLC-FE-100FX-RGD 100BASE-FX SFP module for 100-Mb ports, MMF, 1310-nm wavelength, industrial operating temperature range.
• GLC-GE-100FX 100BASE-FX SFP module for Gigabit Ethernet ports, MMF, 1310-nm wavelength, commercial operating temperature range.
• GLC-FE-100LX 100BASE-LX10 SFP module for 100-Mb ports, SMF, 1310-nm wavelength, commercial operating temperature range.

See the full product numbers of SFP and SFP+ transceiver modules: Cisco SFP offical site.

Installing SFP and SFP+ Transceiver Modules

Step 1 Attach an ESD-preventive wrist strap to your wrist and to the ESD ground connector or a bare metal surface on your chassis.

Step 2 Remove the SFP transceiver module from its protective packaging.

Step 3 Check the label on the SFP transceiver module body to verify that you have the correct model for your network.

Step 4 Find the send (TX) and receive (RX) markings that identify the top side of the SFP transceiver module.

Step 5 Position the SFP transceiver module in front of the socket opening.

Step 6 Holding it and insert the SFP into the socket until you feel the connector latch into place.

Step 7 Press the SFP into the slot firmly with your thumb.

Step 8 To verify that the SFP is seated and latched properly:

1. Grasp the SFP and try to remove it without releasing the latch.
2. If the SFP can not be removed, it is installed and seated properly. If the SFP can be removed, reinsert it and press harder with your thumb, repeating if necessary until it is latched securely into the socket.

Step 9 Remove the dust plugs from the network interface cable LC connectors. Save the dust plugs for future use.

Step 10 Inspect and clean the LC connector's fiber-optic end-faces. See the following Tip for a pointer to a fiber-optic inspection and cleaning white paper.

Step 11 Remove the dust plugs from the SFP transceiver module optical bores.

Step 12 Immediately attach the network interface cable LC connector to the SFP transceiver module.

Step 13 To connect 1000BASE-T SFP transceiver modules to a copper network, follow these substeps:

1. Insert the Category 5 network cable RJ-45 connector into the SFP transceiver module RJ-45 connector.
2. Insert the other end of the network cable into an RJ-45 connector on a 1000BASE-T-compatible target device.

Step 14 Observe the port status LED:

• The LED turns green when the SFP transceiver module and the target device have an established link.
• The LED turns amber while the STP feature discovers the network topology and searches for loops. This process takes about 30 seconds, and then the LED turns green.
• If the LED is off, the target device might not be turned on, there might be a cable problem, or there might be a problem with the adapter installed in the target device. See the Troubleshooting section of your switch hardware guide for solutions to cabling problems.

The End!