Definition:

A gigabit interface converter (GBIC) is a standard for transceivers, commonly used with Gigabit Ethernet and fibre channel in the 2000s. By offering a standard, hot swappable electrical interface, one gigabit port can support a wide range of physical media, from copper to long-wave single-mode optical fiber, at lengths of hundreds of kilometers. A variation of the GBIC called the small form-factor pluggable transceiver (SFP), also known as mini-GBIC, has the same functionality but in a smaller form factor. Announced in 2001, it largely made the GBIC obsolete.

GBIC vs SFP

1. GBIC is larger than SFP.

2. SFP is in prominent use while GBIC is already obsolete.

3. GBIC and SFP are equal in performance.

“GBIC” stands for “Gigabit Interface Converter” and was quite popular in the 1990s. It served as a standard way of connecting to different media like copper and fiber optic cables. In contrast, “SFP” stands for “Small Form-Factor Pluggable,” which also serves the very same purpose as GBIC. The main difference between GBIC and SFP is their size. SFP is considerably smaller than GBIC.

The difference in size is very desirable for many people, especially for those who deal with lots of them, because it will take up a lot less space. Considering that space in a server location is quite limited, using SFP lets you put more within one rack unit than if you used GBIC. Because of this single difference, SFP rapidly gained popularity with administrators who want to maximize their space. As SFP became more popular, GBIC also fell out of favour. Nowadays, GBIC is considered to be obsolete, and you would be hard pressed to find vendors that still carry equipment that is compatible with GBIC. SFP is still widely being used nowadays but is also under pressure from newer standards like SFP+.

Applications

Used for 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 and  supports digital optical monitoring (DOM) capability.

GBIC cable

GBIC cables make it easy to upgrade to the latest interface technology, maximizing investment protection. These cables are utilized in the conjunction of various systems in the module.

GBIC to SFP Converter

Gigabit Interface Converter is a hot-swappable input/output device that plugs into a Gigabit Ethernet port or slot, linking the port with the network. The converter can be interchanged on a wide variety of products and can be intermixed in combinations of 1000BASE-T, 1000BASE-SX, 1000BASE-LX/LH, 1000BASE-ZX, 1000BASE-CWDM, or 1000BASE-DWDM interfaces on a port-by-port basis.