SFP ⋆ | What is SFP? | SPF Types | Small Form-factor Pluggable

SFP (Small Form-factor Pluggable) is a hot-pluggable network interface module used in the network devices of today’s computer networks. In this lesson, we will focus on what is SFP? Why we use these network interface modules and what are the types of SPFs. As a network engineer, you will work with SPFs a lot, especially if you are working in a Service Provider network. So, this lesson is also important like network cabling and network connectors.

To Start Learning Computer Networks, Cisco CCNA Course and Packet Tracer Configuration Course Can Be Perfect!

Table of Contents

What is SFP?

SFP is the abbreviation of Small Form-factor Pluggable. It is hot-pluggable transceiver which is plugged into SFP port of a network device like router, switch etc. After plugging any Small Form-factor Pluggable to the related socket of the device, you can connect fiber optic cable to this Small Form-factor Pluggable.

What is the role of SFP here? In this scenario, SFP converts the serial electrical signals to serial optical signals and vice versa.

An SPF is generally used in service provider networks or to connect large network devices which manages many users. In a small Local Area Network, SPFs are rarely used.

SFP Types

There are different SFP types used in data networks. These Small Form-factor Pluggable types are given below:

100 Mbit/s SFP
1 Gbit/s SFP
10 Gbit/s SFP+
25 Gbit/s SFP28
cSFP
SFP-DD

What is 100 Mbit/s SPF?

Small Form-factor Pluggables that allows data transmission at a speed of 100 Mbit/s.

Multi-mode fiber, LC connector, with black or Beige color coding

SX: 850 nm, max 550 m

Multi-mode fiber, LC connector, with blue color coding

FX: 1300 nm, up to 5 km
LFX: 1310 nm, up to 5 km

Single-mode fiber, LC connector, with blue color coding

LX: 1310 nm, up to 10 km
EX: 1310 nm, up to 40 km

Single-mode fiber, LC connector, with green color coding

ZX: 1550 nm, up to 80 km
EZX: 1550 nm, up to 160 km

Single-mode fiber, LC connector, Bi-Directional, with blue and yellow color coding

BX: 1550 nm/1310 nm, up to 10-40 km.

Copper twisted-pair cabling, 8P8C (RJ-45) connector

100BASE-TX: up to 100m.

What is 1 Gbit/s SPF?

Small Form-factor Pluggables that allows data transmission at 1 Gbit/s transmission speed.

1 to 1.25 Gbit/s multi-mode fiber, LC connector, with black or beige extraction lever

SX: 850 nm, max 550 m at 1.25 Gbit/s

1 to 1.25 Gbit/s multi-mode fiber, LC connector, extraction lever colors not standardized

SX+/MX/LSX/LX: 1310 nm, for a distance up to 2 km

1 to 2.5 Gbit/s single-mode fiber, LC connector, with blue extraction lever

LX: 1310 nm, up to 10 km
EX: 1310 nm, up to 40 km
ZX: 1550 nm, up to 80 km
EZX: 1550 nm, up to 160 km
BX: 1490 nm/1310 nm, up to 10 km, 1550 nm, up to 80 km.
1550 nm 40 km (XD), 80 km (ZX), 120 km (EX or EZX)
SFSW

What is 10 Gbit/s SFP+?

10 Gbit/s SFP+ (enhanced small form-factor pluggable) is the enhanced version of Small Form-factor Pluggable. The data rates that SFP+ support is up to 16 Gbit/s.

What is 25 Gbit/s SFP28?

SFP28 is a 25 Gbit/s interface which evolved from the 100Gbit Ethernet which is implemented with 4 by 25 Gbit/s data lanes.

What is cSFP?

cSFP is the abbreviation of compact small form-factor pluggable. It allows two independent bidirectional channels per port. It is manly used to increase port density.