Direct Attach Cable assemblies are a high speed, cost-effective alternative to fiber optic cables in 10Gb Ethernet, 8Gb Fibre Channel and InfiniBand applications. They are suitable for short distances, making them ideal for highly cost-effective networking connectivity within a rack and between adjacent racks. They enable hardware OEMs and data center operators to achieve high port density and configurability at a low cost and reduced power requirement.

Compufox SFP+ copper cable assemblies meet the industry MSA for signal integrity performance. The cables are hot-removable and hot-insertable: You can remove and replace them without powering off the switch or disrupting switch functions. A cable comprises a low-voltage cable assembly that connects directly into two SFP+ ports, one at each end of the cable. The cables use high-performance integrated duplex serial data links for bidirectional communication and are designed for data rates of up to 10 Gbps.

Types of SFP+ Direct Attach Copper Cables

Applications of SFP+ Direct Attach Copper Cables

Compufox SFP+ Direct Attach Copper Cables Solution

Compufox SFP+ twinax copper cables are avaliable with custom version and brand compatible version. All of them are 100% compatible with major brands like Cisco, HP, Juniper, Enterasys, Extreme, H3C and so on. If you want to order high quality compatible SFP+ cables and get worldwide delivery, we are your best choice.

For instance, our compatible Cisco SFP+ Copper Twinax direct-attach cables are suitable for very short distances and offer a cost-effective way to connect within racks and across adjacent racks. We can provide both passive Twinax cables in lengths of 1, 3 and 5 meters, and active Twinax cables in lengths of 7 and 10 meters. (Tips: The lengths can be customized up to the customers' requirements.)

FAQ of Compufox SFP+ Direct Attach Copper Cables

Q: What are the performance requirements for the cable assembly?
A: Our SFP+ copper passive and active cable assemblies meet the signal integrity requirements defined by the industry MSA SFF-8431. We can custom engineer cable assemblies to meet the requirements of a customer’s specific system architecture.

Q: Are passive or active cable assemblies required?
A: Passive cables have no signal amplification in the assembly and rely on host system Electronic Dispersion Compensation (EDC) for signal amplification/equalization. Active cable assemblies have signal amplification and equalization built into the assembly. Active cable assemblies are typically used in host systems that do not employ EDC. This solution can be a cost savings to the customer.

Q: What wire gauge is required?
A: We offer SFP+ cable assemblies in wire gauges to support customers' specific cable routing requirements. Smaller wire gauges results in reduced weight, improved airflow and a more flexible cable for ease of routing.

Q: What cable lengths are required?
A: Cable length and wire gauge are related to the performance characteristics of the cable assembly. Longer cable lengths require heavier wire gauge, while shorter cable lengths can utilize a smaller gauge cable.

For all you SFP+ Direct attach cables, please see link below. We carry compatible cables for most major brands.

http://www.compufox.com/SFP_Cables_s/337.htm

Things you should Know Before Installing or Removing SFP

Before removing or installing a Transceiver Module you must disconnect all cables, because of leaving these attached will damage the cables, connectors, and the optical interfaces. At the same time please be aware that do not often remove and install an SFP transceiver and it can shorten its useful life. For this reason transceivers should not be removed or inserted more often than is required. Furthermore, transceiver modules are sensitive to static, so always ensure that you use an ESD wrist strap or comparable grounding device during both installation and removal.

Required Tools

Installing SFP Transceiver Modules

Determine which type of latch your SFP transceiver uses before following the installation and removal procedures.

To install an SFP transceiver, follow these steps:

Step 1. Attach an ESD-preventive wrist strap to your wrist and to the ESD ground connector or a bare metal surface on your chassis.

Step 2. Remove the SFP Transceiver Module from its protective packaging.

Note: Do not remove the optical bore dust plugs until directed to do so later in the procedure.

Step 3. Check the label on the SFP transceiver body to verify that you have the correct model for your network.

Step 4. Find the send (TX) and receive (RX) markings that identify the top side of the SFP transceiver.

Note: On some SFP transceivers, the TX and RX marking might be replaced by arrowheads that point from the SFP transceiver connector (transmit direction or TX) and toward the connector (receive direction or RX).

Step 5. Position the SFP transceiver in front of the socket opening.

Note: Different Cisco devices have different SFP module socket configurations. Your Cisco device could have either a latch-up or a latch-down orientation. Ensure that you are installing the SFP transceiver in the correct orientation for your Cisco device. Refer to the hardware installation instructions that came with your Cisco device for more details.

Step 6. Insert the SFP transceiver into the socket until you feel the SFP Transceiver Module connector snap into place in the socket connector.

Note: For optical SFP transceivers, before you remove the dust plugs and make any optical connections, observe these guidelines:
a. Always keep the protective dust plugs on the unplugged fiber-optic cable connectors and the transceiver optical bores until you are ready to make a connection.
b. Always inspect and clean the LC connector end-faces just before you make any connections. See the Required Tools section of this document for more information.
c. Always grasp the LC connector housing to plug or unplug a fiber-optic cable.

Step 7. Remove the dust plugs from the network interface cable LC connectors. Save the dust plugs for future use.

Step 8. Inspect and clean the LC connector’s fiber-optic end-faces.

Step 9. Remove the dust plugs from the SFP transceiver optical bores.

Step 10. Immediately attach the network interface cable LC connector to the SFP transceiver.

Step 11. Connect the 1000BASE-T SFP transceivers to a copper network.

Caution: In order to comply with GR-1089 intrabuilding lightning immunity requirements, you must use grounded, shielded, twisted-pair Category 5 cabling.

Complete these steps in order to connect the transceivers to a copper network:
a.Insert the Category 5 network cable RJ-45 connector into the SFP transceiver RJ-45 connector.

Note: When you connect to a 1000BASE-T-compatible server, workstation, or router, use four twisted-pair, straight-through Category 5 cabling for the SFP transceiver port. When you connect to a 1000BASE-T-compatible switch or repeater, use four twisted-pair, crossover Category 5 cabling.

b.Insert the other end of the network cable into an RJ-45 connector on a 1000BASE-T-compatible target device.
c. Reconfigure and reboot the target device if necessary.

Step 12. Observe the port status LED:
a. The LED turns green when the SFP transceiver and the target device have an established link.
b. The LED turns amber while STP discovers the network topology and searches for loops. This process takes about 30 seconds, and then the LED turns green.
c. If the LED is off, the target device might not be turned on, there might be a cable problem, or there might be a problem with the adapter installed in the target device. Refer to the Troubleshooting section of your switch hardware guide for solutions to cabling problems.

Removing SFP Transceiver Modules

Step 1. Attach an ESD-preventive wrist strap to your wrist and to the ESD ground connector or a bare metal surface on your chassis.

Step 2. Disconnect the network fiber-optic cable or network copper cable from the SFP Transceiver Module connector. For optical SFP transceivers, immediately reinstall the dust plugs in the SFP transceiver optical bores and the fiber-optic cable LC connectors.

Tips: For reattachment of fiber-optic cables, note which connector plug is send (TX) and which is receive (RX).

Step 3. Release and remove the SFP Transceiver Module from the socket connector.
a. If the SFP transceiver has a Mylar tab latch, pull the tab gently in a slightly downward direction until the transceiver disengages from the socket connector, and then pull the SFP transceiver straight out. Do not twist or pull the Mylar tab because you could detach it from the SFP transceiver.

b. If the SFP transceiver has an Actuator button latch, gently press the actuator button on the front of the SFP transceiver until it clicks and the latch mechanism releases the SFP transceiver from the socket connector. Grasp the actuator button between your thumb and index finger, and carefully pull the SFP transceiver straight from the module slot.

c. If the SFP transceiver has a Bale-clasp latch, pull the bale out and down to eject the SFP transceiver from the socket connector. If the bale-clasp latch is obstructed and you cannot use your index finger to open it, use a small flat-blade screwdriver or another long narrow instrument to open the bale-clasp latch. Grasp the SFP transceiver between your thumb and index finger, and carefully remove it from the socket.

Step 4. Place the removed SFP transceiver in an antistatic bag or other protective environment.

To purchase Cisco compatible SFP transceivers, click on the Link below:

• SFP

Key Factors Influencing Your Decision

Firstly, there are some key factors which will influence your decision. Thus, you must make sure that what your network really requires. As we mentioned above, an SAN has server, storage device and switches. So, what should we consider in every section of the network?

• Server to Switch Connectivity Solution

• Storage to Switch Connectivity Solution

• Switch to Switch Connectivity Solution

 COMPUFOX Solutions

COMPUFOX  offers a comprehensive solution of optics and cables which supports your network from 1GbE to 100GbE. We have a great selection of 1000BASE-T/SX/LX SFP, BiDi SFP, 10GBASE-SR/LR SFP+, DWDM SFP+, whole series 40G QSFP+ optics and cables, as well as the 100G CFP2 and CFP4, etc. which help you solve the cost issue in fiber project. Especially the 40G QSFP+ optics, with the passive optic design, they can be compatible with all the equipment of all major brands. In addition, most of them are ready stock. See Links below:

• CFP
• CWDM
• DWDM
• GBIC
• QSFP+
• SFP+
• SFP
• X2
• XENPAK
• XFP
• QSFP+ Cables
• QSFP+ to 4 SFP+ Cables
• QSFP+ to 4 XFP Cables
• QSFP+ to 4 LC Cables
• QSFP+ to CX4 Cables
• SFP Cables
• SFP+ Cables
• SFP+ to XFP Cables

What's BiDi Transceiver?

BiDi transceiver is a type of fiber optic transceivers which is used WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) Bi-directional transmission technology so that it can achieve the transmission of optical channels on a fiber propagating simultaneously in both directions. BiDi transceiver is only with one port which uses an integral bidirectional coupler to transmit and receive signals over a single fiber optical cable. Thus, it must be used in pairs.

How Does BiDi Transceiver Work

The primary difference between BiDi transceivers and traditional two-fiber fiber optic transceivers is that BiDi transceivers are fitted with Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) couplers, also known as diplexers, which combine and separate data transmitted over a single fiber based on the wavelengths of the light. For this reason, BiDi transceivers are also referred to as WDM transceivers.

To work effectively, BiDi transceivers must be deployed in matched pairs, with their diplexers tuned to match the expected wavelength of the transmitter and receiver that they will be transmitting data from or to.

For example, if paired BiDi transceivers are being used to connect Device A (Upstream) and Device B (Downstream), as shown in the figure below, then:

Advantages of BiDi Transceivers

The obvious advantage of utilizing BiDi transceivers, such as SFP+- BiDi and SFP-BiDi transceivers, is the reduction in fiber cabling infrastructure costs by reducing the number of fiber patch panel ports, reducing the amount of tray space dedicated to fiber management, and requiring less fiber cable.

While BiDi transceivers (a.k.a. WDM transceivers) cost more to initially purchase than traditional two-fiber transceivers, they utilize half the amount of fiber per unit of distance. For many networks, the cost savings of utilizing less fiber is enough to more than offset the higher purchase price of BiDi transceivers.

40GbE QSFP+ Transceivers Overview

40 Gigabit Ethernet (40GbE) aggregation switches are becoming more common in today's data centers. At the heart of the 40GbE network layer is a pair of transceivers connected by a cable. The transceivers are plugged into either network servers or a variety of components including interface cards and switches and connected via the cables such as OM3 and OM4 for multimode application. Additionally DAC (Direct Attach Copper) cables or AOCs (Active Optical Cables) are used for short interconnection as a more cost-effective alternative solution. QSFP+ (Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable Plus) is the most common 40GbE interface type, and also as a high-density 10GbE interface via QSFP+ breakout cables. QSFP+ interfaces a network device (switch, router, media converter or similar device) to a fiber optic or copper cable, supporting data rates from 4x10 Gbps and supports Ethernet, Fibre Channel, InfiniBand and SONET/SDH standards with different data rate options. Compared to CFP (C form-factor pluggable) transceiver modules, QSFP transceiver modules are more compact and more suitable for port-density application. The two basic interface specifications of QSFP+ modules respectively for multimode and single-mode applications are 40GBASE-SR4 and 40GBASE-LR4.

The 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+ module, conforming to the 802.3ba D3.2 (40GBASE-SR4) standard, provides a 40Gbps optical connection using MPO/MTP® optical connectors. This optical module integrates four data lanes in each direction with 40Gbps aggregate bandwidth and each lane can operate at 10.3125 Gbps. It is used in data centers to interconnect two Ethernet switches with 8 fiber parallel multimode fiber OM3/OM4 cables (transmission distance can be up to 100 meters using OM3 fiber or up to 150 meters using OM4 fiber).

The 40GBBASE-LR4 QSFP+ module, conforming to the 802.3ba (40GBASE-LR4) standard, provides a 40Gbps optical connection using LC optical connectors. This optical module integrates four data lanes in each direction with 40Gbps aggregate bandwidth and each lane can operate at 10.3125 Gbps. It is most commonly deployed between data center or IXP sites with single-mode fiber up to 10 km.

 In addition, to satisfy a number of different objectives including support for MMF and SMF compatibility, there are other types of QSFP+ modules offered by different vendors.

To protect a QSFP+ module or cable from ESD (electro-static discharge) damage, before installing or removing a QSFP+ module or cable, be remembered that always wear an ESD wrist strap and make sure that it makes good skin contact and is securely grounded (If you are using ESD gloves, wear the wrist strap outside the ESD glove).

There are two types of clasp designed for a QSFP+ transceiver module—plastic clasp or a metallic clasp. Here uses the metallic clasp type as an example.

Step 1. Remove the QSFP+ module from its antistatic container and remove the dust covers from the module optical connector.
Step 2. Remove any rubber dust covers from the port where you are installing the QSFP+ module.
Step 3. Pivot the clasp of the module up. (Skip this step if the clasp is plastic.)
Step 4. Align the module with the port in the chassis, as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Aligning the module with the port

Step 5. Holding the module, gently push in the module until it is firmly seated in the port.(see Figure 2.)

Figure 2. Install the QSFP+ module to port

Step 6. Immediately attach the patch cord with MPO connector or duplex LC connector to the QSFP+ transceiver module.(see Figure 3.)

Figure 3. Install the patch cord to the module

Note: Install the dust plug for the transceiver module if you are not to install an optical fiber into it.

Step 1. Remove the optical fiber if any.
Step 2. Pivot the clasp of the module down to the horizontal position. (Skip this step if the clasp is plastic.)
Step 3. Holding the module, gently pull the module out of the port. (Figure 4)
Step 4. Place the QSFP+ transceiver into an antistatic bag.

Figure 4. Remove the QSFP+ module

The installation and removal procedures are the same for QSFP+ DAC cables and QSFP+ AOC cables. Here uses a QSFP+ DAC cable as an example:

Step 1. Align the QSFP+ transceiver module (with the clasp on top) at one end of the cable with the port in the chassis, as shown in Figure 5.
Step 2. Horizontally and gently push in the module to fully seat it in the port.

Figure 5. Installing a QSFP+ DAC cable

Step 1. Gently press and release the QSFP+ transceiver module.(see Figure 6.)
Step 2. Holding the cable, gently pull the clasp on the cable to pull out the transceiver module.

Figure 6. Removing a QSFP+ DAC cable

40G QSFP+ to 4x10G SFP+ cable combines one 40G QSFP+ module on one end and four 10G SFP+ module on the other end. The installation and removal procedures of 40G QSFP+ connector are introdueced above. Here only introduced the installation and removal of 10G SFP+ module:

Step 1. Align the module with the SFP+ port, with the golden plating facing the spring tab (see Figure 7.) in the SFP+ port. If the chassis has two rows of ports, the spring tab in a port is on the bottom in the upper row and on the top in the lower row.
Step 2. Slightly press the module against the spring tab so you can push the module straight into the port.

Figure 7. Installing an SFP+ transceiver module

Step 1. Press the module with your thumb, as shown by callout 1 in Figure 8.
Step 2. Gently pull the clasp on the cable to pull out the transceiver module, as shown by callout 2 in Figure 8.

Figure 8. Removing an SFP+ transceiver module

Verifying the installation

Execute the display transceiver interface command on the device to verify that the transceiver module or DAC/AOC cable is installed correctly. If the transceiver module and DAC/AOC cable information is displayed correctly, the installation is correct. If an error message is displayed, the installation is incorrect or the transceiver optics is not compatible.

Conclusion

As 40 GbE are widely deployed, 40G transceiver optics are ubiquitous. A good practice and correct installation are very important for 40G network system, not only to protect the 40G transceiver optics and device from damage, but also to ensure a stable performance for system. In addition, by executing the display transceiver interface command, we can verify whether the installation is correct. Of course, the premise is that the transceiver optics you use is fully compatible with your device. COMPUFOX offers a comprehensive line of high-compatible 40G transceiver optics, such as 40GBASE-SR4 QSFP+, 40GBASE-LR4 QSFP+ and 40G DACs and AOCs with competitive prices. See Links below:

• QSFP+
  
• QSFP+ Cables
• QSFP+ to 4 SFP+ Cables
• QSFP+ to 4 XFP Cables
• QSFP+ to 4 LC Cables
• QSFP+ to CX4 Cables