Key Aspects, Applications and Benefits of SFP (Small Form Factor Pluggable)

If you want to acquire a good knowledge about data communication and telecommunication applications, you should definitely stay aware of few common types of internet-related devices available in the market. In this article, you will get an overview on SFP referred as Small Form-factor Pluggable.

Overview on Small Form Factor Pluggable

Small Form Factor Pluggable is a hot, compact and a pluggable type of transceiver used in both data communication and telecommunication applications. Here, a multi-source agreement based on SFF Committee auspices specifies electrical interface and form factor.

Main Function of the Device

Main function of this pluggable component is to provide interface to a motherboard of a network device, like a router, switch and a media converter to a Fiber optic cable. It is one among the popular industrial formats developed jointly and obtained support from large numbers of vendors involved in supplying network components.

In addition, these transceivers give support to Gigabit, SONET, Ethernet, Fiber Channels and various other essential communication standards. Because of the availability of SFP in relatively smaller size, it sometimes obsolesce GBIC (Gigabit Interface Converter) or Fiber media converter. Along with this, most of the network hardware professionals call it as Mini-GBIC.

Applications of the Device

Small Form Factor Pluggable sockets or SFP sockets have found their wide applications in NICs i.e. Network Interface Cards, firewalls, routers and Ethernet switches. Even storage interface cards or storage switches designed by using fiber channels use aforementioned modules to provide support to different speed, like 8Gb, 4Gb and 2Gb.

As these sockets and switches come in relatively low cost, possess low profile and adequate ability to set up connection with varieties of optical fiber, SFP delivers such equipment with drastic improvement in its flexibility.

Benefits of the Device

Allows Changes in Hassle-free Way

As the device is pluggable, it allows bring changes in optical interfaces even during the last step of designing any card that too in hassle-free way.

Easy Accommodation

It allows easy accommodation of various connector interfaces and even a combination of LX and SX.

Surface Mounted to PCB Board

Cage of any Small Form Factor Pluggable comes in surface mounted form to various PCB boards for accepting the transceiver. This facility not only allows for easy reconfiguration and replacement, but also helps in elimination of additional manufacturing or designing steps and reduction in cost.

Comes with High Optical Reliability

As the pluggable device eliminates optical component from the actual soldering process, such transceivers provide highest possible optical reliability and allow usage of highest possible soldering temperatures.