GBIC transceiver is one of the many kinds of transceivers that is capable of receiving as well as sending data. The purpose of GBIC transceiver is to convert digital media between a separate fiber optic based network and Gigabit Ethernet network. From this one device, users are able to generate connections utilizing the multi or single mode fiber optic ports along with the copper wiring.

GBIC transceiver comes with multiple sources agreement, this enables the manufacturers to save their money to set up their own standards and also resolve any compatibility issues as well. With the help of a GBIC transceiver, Gigabit network devices can connect to the copper wires, single mode fiber ports, or any other multimode fiber ports directly. GBIC transceivers are appropriate for any interconnections over the Gigabit Ethernet hubs and for switches platform.

Various variants of GBIC transceivers are available and the latest SFP modules (or mini-GBIC) provide companies and service providers with the ability to set up a Fiber Channel and Gigabit Ethernet connection within their network with ease and simplicity. The Gigabit Interface Convertor is the standard for transceivers that gets plugged into Gigabit Ethernet and gets connected to a fiber optic network.

Usually the SFP modules are found with the LC fiber connecter interface. This model of transceiver covers a wide range including various types working at different wavelength and distance. This type of transceivers provide customers with a very convenient and affordable solution for finding a large area of habitat in metropolitan area access, data center, and ring networks, campus and storage area networks. Cisco which believes in their motto of meeting commitment and excellence offers a wide set of choices in regard of protocols, speeds, reaches and transmission media support. They provide customers with a larger range of interfaces which are detachable to multimode or single-mode type of optic fibers along with coaxial or UTP electrical cables. In addition to this transportation of LAN packets through TDM-based WAN and also streams over the packet-switching networks.

The main products from Cisco are switches, wireless systems; open networking systems, security systems, software, modules and interfaces, network management and automation system. Cisco is also specialized in producing transceivers which include a well advanced and useful type of SFP transceiver. Cisco has made enormous amount of investments spent to keep rhythm of standard of Cisco SFP. With high quality raw materials, skilled labor and advanced manufacturing equipment they facilitate highly efficient design for host devices, provide flexibility in network, and an immense amount of savings regarding the maintenance of the system.

The advantages of Cisco SFP and GBIC transceiver are its scalability that uses only one strand to move up to about eight channels. The equipment works with a standard SFP and GBIC port. In addition to that, the Cisco equipment does not require be powered and even configured. It is a versatile equipment that enables multiple network configurations. Simultaneously, these products help businesses and service providers to maximize the bandwidth of a Gigabit Ethernet without making use of a new fiber. Cozlink Technology, offers not only original Cisco SFP modules and Cisco GBIC transceivers, but also compatiable SFP and GBIC modules. Have a wide selection there.

Cisco SFP vs. GBIC Transceivers

GBIC (Gigabit Interface Converter) is a hot-swappable Gigabit Interface optical module with SC connector. A gigabit interface converter (GBIC) is a standard for transceivers, commonly used with Gigabit Ethernet and fiber channel. GBIC module is hot pluggable, this feature allows a suitably designed enclosure to be changed from one type of external interface to another simply by plugging in a GBIC having the alternative external interface. SFP, also called mini-GBIC, was designed after the GBIC interface. It is half the volume of GBIC and can be configured double number of ports on the same panel. Other basic functions is the almost the same with the GBIC. In summary, GBIC is larger than SFP. SFP is in prominent use while GBIC is already obsolete. GBIC and SFP are equal in performance.

GBIC Module and SFP Module Cabling and Connection Equipment

The GBIC module port is a 1000-Mbps optical interface in the form of an SC-type duplex port (see Figure 1) that supports IEEE 802.3z interfaces compliant with the 1000BASE-X standard. Provides cabling specifications for the GBIC modules and SFP modules that you install in Gigabit Ethernet devices. Note that all GBIC module ports have SC-type connectors and all SFP ports have LC-type connectors. The minimum cable distance for the WS-G5484 or GLC-SX-MM and WS-G5486 or GLC-LH-SM (multimode fiber [MMF] and single-mode fiber [SMF]) is 6.5 feet (2 m), and the minimum link distance for the WS-G5487 or GLC-ZX-SM is 6.2 miles (10 km) with an 8-dB attenuator installed at each end of the link. Without attenuators, the minimum link distance for the WS-G5487 or GLC-ZX-SM is 24.9 miles (40 km).

CWDM GBIC Module and SFP Module Description and Information

Coarse Wavelength-Division Multiplexing (CWDM) GBIC modules and Coarse Wavelength-Division Multiplexing (CWDM) SFP modules are supported on a variety of Cisco products. For more information, see the Cisco CWDM GBIC Compatibility Matrix and the Cisco Coarse Wavelength-Division Multiplexing SFP Compatibility Matrix.

CWDM GBIC Module

CWDM SFP Module

The Cisco CWDM GBIC module and SFP modules enables the transport of up to eight channels (Gigabit Ethernet over single-mode fiber strands. (They also support the transport of up to eight channels [Fiber Channel] over single-mode strands, although Fiber Channel is not discussed in this document.) Cisco CWDM GBIC modules have SC-type connectors, and Cisco CWDM SFP modules have LC-type connectors. They are compatible with 1000BASE-X standard as specified in IEEE 802.3z. The Cisco CWDM GBUC modules and SFP modules are passive and require no power nor configuration. The Cisco CWDM modules support online insertion and removal (OIR).