Cisco WS-C2960G-48TC-L Switch Overview 

WS-C2960G-48TC-L belongs to the Cisco Catalyst 2960 Series Switches, its enhanced features is best utilized in office branch networks, in entry level businesses who are just starting their business operations or in mid markets business who do not possess an excessively large network, Cisco Catalyst 2960, 2960-C and 2960-S switches support voice, video, data, and highly secure access. They also deliver scalable management as your business needs change. The Common Features are included: Enhanced security including Cisco TrustSec for providing authentication, access control, and security policy administration, Multiple Fast or Gigabit Ethernet performance options, Cisco EnergyWise for power management, Scalable network management. In this article we will discuss about the WS-C2960G-48TC-L swathes and it's compatibility with optical transceivers. 

Cisco WS-C2960G-48TC-L Switch Parameters

Device Type	Switch - 48 ports - Managed
Enclosure Type	Rack-mountable 1U
Interfaces	Gigabit Ethernet
Ports	44 x 10/100/1000 + 4 x combo Gigabit SFP
Performance	Switching capacity : 32 Gbps Forwarding performance (64-byte packet size) : 39 Mpps
MAC Address Table Size	8K entries
Remote Management Protocol	SNMP 1, SNMP 2, RMON 1, RMON 2, RMON 3, RMON 9, Telnet, SNMP 3, SNMP 2c, HTTP, HTTPS, TFTP, SSH
Features	Layer 2 switching, DHCP snooping, DHCP support, IGMP snooping, Quality of Service (QoS), VLAN support, auto-negotiation, auto-sensing per device, auto-uplink (auto MDI/MDI-X)
Compliant Standards	IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.3u, IEEE 802.3z, IEEE 802.1D, IEEE 802.1Q, IEEE 802.3ab, IEEE 802.1p, IEEE 802.3x, IEEE 802.3ad (LACP), IEEE 802.1w, IEEE 802.1x, IEEE 802.1s, IEEE 802.3ah, IEEE 802.1ab (LLDP)
Power	AC 120/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )
Dimensions (WxDxH)	44.5 cm x 32.8 cm x 4.4 cm
Weight	5.45 kg

Optical Transceivers for Cisco WS-C2960G-48TC-L Switch 

 

Based on the SFP Gigabit Ethernet ports accommodate range SFP (optical module form factor) optical transceivers, including Cisco 1000BASE-T, 1000BASE-SX, 1000BASE-ZX, CWDM SFP. For more information on these Cisco optical transceivers, please check the following table.

MFG Part number	Description	Price
GLC-T	Cisco GLC-T Compatible 1000BASE-T SFP Copper RJ-45 100m Transceiver	US$13.02
GLC-TE	Cisco GLC-TE Transceiver Module Compatible 1000M SFP Copper 100m	US$13.02
GLC-SX-MM	Cisco GLC-SX-MM Compatible 1000BASE-SX SFP 850nm 550m DOM Transceiver	US$6.00
GLC-LH-SM	Cisco GLC-LH-SM Transceiver Module Compatible 1.25G SFP 1310nm 20km	US$7.00
GLC-ZX-SM	Cisco GLC-ZX-SM Compatible 1000BASE-ZX SFP 1550nm 70km Transceiver	US$24.18
GLC-ZX-SMD	Cisco GLC-ZX-SMD Compatible 1000Base-ZX SFP 1550nm 70km Transceiver Module	US$24.18
GLC-BX-D	Cisco GLC-BX-D Transceiver Module Compatible 1.25G 1490nmTX/1310nmRX 10KM	US$14.88
GLC-BX-U	Cisco GLC-BX-U Transceiver Module Compatible 1.25G SFP BIDI 1310nmTX/1490nmRX 10km	US$9.30
CWDM SFP	1.25G CWDM SFP 1270~1450nm 120km LC DDM Optical Transceiver	US$55.00
GLC-SX-MMD	Cisco GLC-SX-MMD Compatible 1000BASE-SX SFP 850nm 550m DOM Transceiver	US$6.00
GLC-LH-SMD	Cisco GLC-LH-SMD Compatible 1000Base-LX/LH SFP 1310nm 10km DOM Transceiver	US$7.00

Note: Cozlink compatible with Cisco optical module. For more information, please feel free to contact us. 

How to determine what types of optical transceivers for Cisco switches?

1. Finding the corresponding optical module compatibility matrix via Cisco official website. 

2. On the running switches, enter the privileged mode and input # "show idprom interface gi1 / 0/48" command, you can query the optical module model and serial number, If not, try to input other two commands: xuxic or show idprom int g2/6

3. Checking the type and port based on the specification, it can be used as long as it is gigabit SFP optical module interface. But the specific models to be decided according to the actual demand, such as type, the actual use of distance, single-mode or multimode, single fiber or dual fiber etc. Welcome to consult Cozlink engineer.

Summary

The Cisco WS-C2960G-48TC-L uses Gigabit Ethernet SFP optical transceivers to establish fiber optic connections. These transceivers are field-replaceable, and provide uplink interfaces when inserted in an SFP module slot. All of these fiber optic transceivers can be found in Cozlink with high quality and competitive price. Moreover, most of them have adequate inventory, which ensures the customers to enjoy same day shipping. In addition to providing optical transceivers, Cozlink also offers patch cords, fiber optic pigtails and high speed cables for your choice. 

 

WHAT IS AN OPTICAL TRANSCEIVER?

 

An optical transceiver, sometimes called a fiber optic transceiver, is an interconnect component that can transmit and receive data. It consists of two main parts: a transmitter and receiver. This critical component uses fiber optic technology to convert electrical signals to light signals and vice versa.

Optical transceivers are used in most industries, and they are of utmost importance in telecom applications due to their ability to transport high levels of data over a network. This versatile component can either be plugged into or embedded into a network device. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Different types of optical transceivers are defined by form factors.

Radiall offers a range optical transceiver form factors that are ideal for harsh environments. They provide high performance and reliability to a wide variety of applications.

 

Essential components for any use case

Optics for the future of work

• Transition to higher network speeds with an optics strategy for hybrid work.

 

400G data center networking

• Accelerate your migration to high-density 400G data center fabrics.

 

Cisco Routed Optical Networking

• Converge your IP and optical transport onto a single layer to streamline lifecycle operations.

 

Optics for Data Center Interconnect

• Connect data centers across your metro areas and beyond with 100G to 400G pluggable optics.

Explaining this article to a non-technical person:

An optical transceiver is a small yet powerful device that can both transmit and receive data. In fiber optics, this data is sent in the form of pulses of light over an optical fiber, at very high speeds and across long distances. The transceiver is an important part of a fiber optics network and is used to convert electrical signals to optical (light) signals and optical signals to electrical signals. It can be plugged into or embedded into another device within a data network that can send and receive a signal.

Optical transceivers come in different shapes and sizes, called form factors. Which form factor to use depends on the type of data, speed and distance needed. Different rules, called protocols, determine how the different kinds of data are transmitted.
 

Electrical Interface Types

There have been multiple variants of the electrical interface of optical modules that have been used over the years.

Analog direct

The earliest forms of optical modules had an analog NRZelectrical interface. In the transmit direction, the optical module would directly drive the laser or LED with the analog signal coming from the front system card. In the receive direction, the module would directly drive the receive electrical interface with the output of the analog optical-to-electrical receiver circuit.

Digital (retimed)

As speeds increased, the electrical interface was changed to a retimed digital interface. The Common Electrical Interface(CEI),defined by the Optical Internetworking Forum(OIF) served as the central defining document for these interfaces. The IEEE 802.3 Ethernetworking group has also been influential in the definition of the module interface.

Digital (unretimed)

In order to save power within the module, optical modules have been made that used the digital interface definition, such as the CEI, but without retiming the signals within the module. These modules delivered an analog connection between the two ends.

Analog Coherent Optics (ACO)

The Optical Internetworking Forumin 2016 published the CFP2-ACO or CFP2 - Analog Coherent Optics ModuleInteroperability Agreement (IA). This IA supports a configuration where the digital signal processor(DSP) is on the main board and analog optical components are on the module. This IA is useful in the case when the DSP exceeds the module power envelope.The ACO interface can be used in coherent optics applications when the link delivers a flexible amount of bandwidth to the system, for example when combined with FlexE. The initial ACO IA is for the CFP2 module. The typical optical modulation that are used include Dual Polarization Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (DP-QPSK) and QAM-16.

Digital Coherent Optics (DCO)

These modules put the DSP on the module and use a conventional retimed digital interface. These modules can use the same optical modulation techniques as the ACO interfaces do.

What is the advantage of Optical Transceivers?

Optical transceivers are fundamental components in digital communication networks, enabling high-speed data transmission over long distances. Here are some key advantages that fortify their crucial standing:

1. High Data Rates: Optical transceivers can support extremely high data rates, from gigabits to terabits per second, making them ideal for high-capacity applications such as Internet backbones, cable TV, and data center connectivity.

2. Extensive Reach: Unlike traditional coaxial cables or twisted-pair copper cables, optical transceivers facilitate data transmission over significant distances without requiring many repeaters, thanks to the lower signal loss in optical fibers.

3. Enormous Bandwidth: Optical transceivers, paired with a technology called Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM), can transmit multiple signal streams concurrently over a single optical fiber. This exponentially expands the communication capacity, unleashing the full potential of fiber's enormous bandwidth.

4. Immunity to Electromagnetic Interference: As optical transceivers convert electrical signals into light signals, the data transmission is inherently immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI), offering error-free communication.

5. Scalability: Optical transceivers support an upward path for network evolution. As throughput requirements grow, networks can upgrade to higher capacity transceivers, preserving the existing cabling infrastructure.

6. Compact and Energy Efficient: Modern optical transceivers, like SFPs (Small Form-factor Pluggables), offer a high-density solution suitable for data centers, preserving valuable space and consuming less power than their older counterparts.

7. Versatility: Optical transceivers can carry various types of signals - voice, video, or data, enhancing their adaptability for varied network configurations and applications.

In conclusion, optical transceivers bring significant improvements in terms of speed, distance, reliability, and scalability of data communication networks. Their ability to support high-speed, high-capacity data transmission over long distances makes optical transceivers the cornerstone of today's digital communication infrastructure. As the digital world continues its incessant expansion, the importance of optical transceivers in powering the global data transmission framework is set to increase even further.

 

Precautions for purchasing Optical Transceivers:

Purchasing optical transceivers is a critical task that can significantly impact the performance and stability of your network. Below are crucial precautions to consider when procuring these essential components.

1. Compatible Devices: Make sure that the optical transceiver is compatible with your existing network equipment. Compatibility checks should encompass both the physical interfaces and consideration of data rate, transmission distance, and wavelength requirements.

2. Vendor Reliability: Always prioritize reputable vendors or suppliers. Counterfeit or low-quality transceivers can compromise network performance, and potentially damage your equipment.

3. Understand Your Requirements: The type of optical transceiver you need depends greatly on your unique network requirements, including transmission distance (short, long, or extended), the type of fiber (single-mode or multi-mode), and desired data rate.

4. Standards Compliance: Ensure that the optical transceiver complies with industry standards and regulations. This usually guarantees transceiver performance and reliability, and assures compatibility with other network equipment.