The document discusses different types of fiber optic transceiver modules used for high-speed networking, including SFP+, SFP, XFP, and X2 modules. It provides definitions of each module, their advantages and disadvantages compared to other form factors, common specifications and standards they support, troubleshooting tips, and examples of error messages that may occur when using them.

1. What is a transceiver II
SFP Plus Transceiver Module
Definition
SFP plus fiber optic transceiver module, also called SFP+, is an enhanced
version of the SFP that supports data rates up to 10 Gbit/s. In addition, for
10G applications, SFP+ transceiver has a smaller footprint and lower power
consumption than XFP transceiver. SFP+ supports 8 Gbit/s Fibre Channel,
10-gigabit Ethernet and Optical Transport Network standard OTU2. It is a
popular industry format supported by many network component vendors. Initial
standard applications focused on 8G Fibre Channel, 10G Ethernet and 10G
Fibre Channel. The electrical interface to the host board for SFP transceiver
and SFP+ transceiver is the same serial. The applications have expanded to
include SONET OC-192, SDH STM-64, OTN G.709, CPRI wireless, 16G
Fibre Channel, and the emerging 32G Fibre Channel application.
Advantages
The 10G SFP+ transceiver is smaller than any of the currently shipping form
factors
Provides the highest density per line card
Low power consumption
Comparison
SFP+ transceiver is closely related with SFP, XFP, X2, Xenpak optical

2. modules.
SFP+, X2, XFP, Xenpak are all belong to 10Gigabit optical transceivers.
SFP+ are more compact than X2 and XFP.
SFP+ has a strong compatibility which can be interconnect and work
together with other 10G XFP, X2, Xenpak optic transceivers.
SFP+ is similar with the SFP from the appearance, but the transmission
rata of them are different, SFP+ is 10Gbp/s optical modules, while SFP is
generally 1.25G, 155M, 2.5G and other rate
X2 Transceiver Module
Definition
X2 Transceiver is a kind of 10 Gbit/s fiber optic transceiver. Its development
was based on former XENPAK standards. The X2 10 Gbit/s transceiver’s
inner function is almost similar with XENPAK that also can use one transceiver
to fulfill all 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) optical port function. X2 transceiver is
about half size of XENPAK, which enables it suitable for density installations.
X2 transceiver is a hot pluggable in the Z-direction module that is usable in
typical router line card applications, Storage, IP network and LAN and
compliant to XENPAK MSA. The XENPAK transceiver is a fully integrated 10.3
Gbit/s optical transceiver module that consists of a 10.3 Gbit/s optical
transmitter and receiver, XAUI interface, MUX and DEMUX with clock and
data recovery(CDR).

3. Standard
10GbE standards were defined by IEEE in 2002, it not only enlarges the data
transmission rate, but it has greater working distance. IEEE 802.3ae 10GbE
standard defined the working distance from 300 meters to 40km. We supply
the X2 10G fiber optic transceivers that are fully compatible with equipment
from other suppliers.
Components
An X2 transceiver module uaually consists of these parts:
① – Transmit optical bore
② – Receive optical bore
③ – Latching sleeve (retracted)
④ – EMI gasket flange
⑤ – Transceiver heat sink
⑥ – Module connector
⑦ – Latch (extended)
⑧ – Latching sleeve (extended)
⑨ – Latch (retracted)
SFP Transceiver Module Troubleshooting
SFP (small form-factor pluggable) is a compact, hot-pluggable transceiver
module used for both telecommunication and data communications
applications. With the increasing high speed data transmission demands of
people, products, such as SFP+, CFP and QSFP/QSFP+ etc. have shared

4. the market. Nonetheless, SFPs have still played an important role in
telecommunication and data communication.
As a widely and commonly used component in data transmission, due to the
incorrect operation or other factors, it is hard to avoid facing the faults in using
SFP, and sometimes even result in a bad situation and heavy loss. This paper
will help you to diagnose the SFP problems (take Cisco for example) and give
some resolution tips. I hope it would be acted as a learning tool and a
reference source for both new and experienced technicians who work in this
field.
To diagnose SFP problems, you can get statistics from the browser interface,
the CLI (Command Line Interface) or an SNMP (Simple Network Management
Protocol) workstation. The most common SFP problems include these
aspects:
Poor performance
No connectivity
Corrupted software
Poor Performance (or Excessive Errors)
Possible Cause:
The possible causes of this problem include that cabling distance is
exceeded or port statistics show excessive frame check sequence (FCS),
late-collision, or alignment errors.

5. Resolution:
Reduce the cable length to within the recommended distances.
See your SFP module documentation for cabling guidelines.
No connectivity
Possible Cause:
This problem is most likely related to cabling. Using incorrect or bad cable, or
incorrect cable wiring, or STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) checking for possible
loops may probably lead to this problem.
Resolution:
Verify the pinouts are correct for the proper application of cables.
Replace the cable with a tested good cable.
Wait 30 seconds for the port LED to turn green.
Corrupted software
The corrupted software here we mentioned include the following three
situations.
1.The port is placed in error-disabled state after SFP is inserted.
Possible Cause:
This problem is usually caused by bad or non-Cisco-approved SFP module(ie.
the incompatible SFP).
Resolution:
Remove the SFP module from the switch and replace it with a Cisco-approved
module. Use the irrdisable recovery cause GBIC-invalid global configuration

6. command to verify the port status, and enter a time interval to recover from the
error-disable state. The best advice is to use the Cisco original SFP or 100%
Cisco compatible SFP (If you decide to use a third-party SFP, please ensure
that your supplier is assured) that is adapted to the switch.
2.Device does not recognize the SFP module.
Possible Cause:
This problem is generally related to the SFP installation. Situations, such as
SFP is installed upside dowm or does not snap into the slot can cause this
problem.
Resolution:
Verify that the SFP module is not installed upside down.
Remove the SFP module. Inspect for physical damage to the connector, the
module, and the module slot.
Replace the SFP module with a known good SFP module.
3.Excessive errors found in port statistics.
Possible Cause:
Bad adapter in attached device or STP checking for possible loops can cause
this problem.
Resolution:
Run adapter card diagnostic utility and wait 30 seconds for the port LED to
turn green.
Some common error message of Cisco Switch When Using With SFP Module

7. Error Message: Transceiver module inserted in port
Explanation: The online insertion and removal (OIR) facility detected a newly
inserted transceiver module for the interface specified in the error message.
Error Message: INIT_FAILURE: Detected for transceiver module in port,
module disabled
Explanation: An initialization failure occurred for the transceiver module for the
interface specified in the error message. This condition could be caused by
software, firmware, or hardware problem. As a result of the error, the module
is disabled.
Recommended Action: Try reseating the module. Hardware replacement
should not occur first occurrence. Before requesting hardware replacement,
review troubleshooting logs with a technical support representative.
Error Message: NOT_IDENTIFIED: Detected for transceiver module in %s,
module disabled
Explanation: The transceiver module for the interface specified in the error
message could not be identified and may not be compatible with the interface.
The transceiver module specified in the error message contains a transceiver
code which could not be correctly interpreted. As a result of the error, the
module is disabled.
Recommended Action: Replace the module with a compatible transceiver.

8. Error Message: UNSUPPORTED-TRANCEIVER: Unsupported SFP
transceiver found on board. Warranty/support may void
Explanation: The transceiver module for the interface specified in the error
message is not a Cisco supported module. As a result of the error, the module
is disabled. When Cisco determines that a fault or defect can be traced to the
use of third-party transceivers installed by a customer or reseller, then, at
Cisco’s discretion, Cisco may withhold support under warranty or a Cisco
support program. In the course of providing support for a Cisco networking
product Cisco might require that the end user install Cisco transceivers if Cisco
determines that removing third-party parts will assist Cisco in diagnosing the
cause of a support issue.
XFP Transceiver Module
Definition
XFP is short for 10 Gigabit small form factor pluggable. It is a standard for
transceivers for high-speed computer network and telecommunication links
that use optical fiber. It is protocol-independent and fully compliant to the
following standards: 10G Ethernet, 10G Fibre Channel, SONET OC-192, SDH
STM-64 and OTN G.709, supporting bit rate from 9.95G through 11.3G, along
with its interface to other electrical components which is called XFI. The
10-Gigabit XFP transceiver module is a hot-swappable I/O device that plugs
into 10-Gigabit ports. The XFP transceiver module connects the electrical

9. circuitry of the system with the optical network.
Compenets
The compenets of XFP include the following parts:
①-Transmit optical bore
②-Receive optical bore
③-Transceiver socket connector
④-Bail clasp (locked position)
⑤-Dust plug
⑥-Bail clasp (unlocked position)
Standard
The XFI electrical interface specification was a 10 gigabit per second
chip-to-chip electrical interface specification defined as part of the XFP
multi-source agreement. It was also developed by the XFP MSA group. XFI
provides a single lane running at 10.3125 Gbit/s when using a 64B/66B
encoding scheme. A serializer/deserializer is often used to convert from a
wider interface such as XAUI that has four lanes running at 3.125 Gbit/s using
8B/10B encoding. XFI is sometimes pronounced as “X” “F” “I” and other times
as “ziffie”.
Types
XFP transceivers comply with the XFP multi source agreement developed by
several leading companies in this industry. Typical types for XFP including the
SR, LR, ER and ZR. XFP SR working distance is 300 meters max, it works

10. with OM3 10GB multimode optical fiber. The other 3 types work with single
mode fiber, XFP LR max distance is 10km, XFP ER is 40km, and XFP ZR
max working span is 80km via SMF. XFP is regarded to be the new
generation 10G solution after the Xenpak and X2 transceivers, many
companies have developed the XFP 10G transceivers nowadays.
View:www.fibercasa.com for more information