SFP-10G-BXU-I=: Technical Specifications, Deployment Strategies, and Performance Optimization for 10G Bidirectional Networks



Introduction to the Cisco SFP-10G-BXU-I= Optical Transceiver

The ​​Cisco SFP-10G-BXU-I=​​ is a ​​10 Gigabit bidirectional (BiDi) SFP+ transceiver​​ designed for ​​single-strand single-mode fiber (SSMF) connectivity​​, enabling cost-effective ​​10GBASE-BX-U​​ networks. Operating on ​​1310 nm TX / 1490 nm RX wavelengths​​, this module supports ​​10 km reach​​ and is ideal for ​​enterprise access networks​​, ​​metro Ethernet​​, and ​​fiber-to-the-x (FTTx)​​ deployments. By transmitting and receiving data over a single fiber, it reduces cabling complexity and operational costs while maintaining compatibility with Cisco’s ​​Nexus​​, ​​Catalyst​​, and ​​ASR​​ series devices.


Technical Specifications and Optical Design

​Optical Performance and Compliance​

  • ​Data Rate​​: ​​10.3125 Gbps​​ (IEEE 802.3ae 10GBASE-BX-U compliant).
  • ​Wavelengths​​: ​​1310 nm transmit (TX)​​ and ​​1490 nm receive (RX)​​ over ​​OS2 single-mode fiber​​.
  • ​Reach​​: ​​10 km​​ with receiver sensitivity of ​​≤-14 dBm​​ and overload threshold of ​​-1 dBm​​.
  • ​Power Consumption​​: ​​≤1.2W​​, compliant with ​​IEEE 802.3aq​​ and ​​RoHS III​​ standards.
  • ​Diagnostics​​: Integrated ​​Digital Diagnostics Monitoring (DDM)​​ for real-time ​​temperature​​, ​​voltage​​, and ​​optical power​​ tracking.

​Key Hardware Features​

  • ​Connector Type​​: ​​LC duplex​​ with ​​Angled Physical Contact (APC)​​ polish, reducing reflectance to ​​≤-55 dB​​.
  • ​Operating Temperature​​: ​​0°C to 70°C​​ (commercial) and ​​-40°C to 85°C​​ (industrial variants).
  • ​Certifications​​: ​​GR-468-CORE​​ reliability testing, ​​CE Mark​​, and ​​FCC Part 15​​ EMI compliance.

Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

​1. Enterprise Campus Networks​

Deploying the SFP-10G-BXU-I= in ​​Cisco Catalyst 9500​​ core switches enables ​​10G uplinks​​ to access-layer ​​Catalyst 9200​​ stacks over existing single-mode fiber, reducing cabling costs by ​​40%​​ compared to dual-strand solutions.


​2. Metro Ethernet Aggregation​

Telecom providers use this transceiver in ​​Cisco ASR 9000 Series​​ routers to aggregate ​​GPON traffic​​ from residential gateways, achieving ​​≤1 ms latency​​ for VoIP and IPTV services.


​3. Data Center Interconnects (DCIs)​

In ​​Cisco Nexus 9300-FX​​ spine-leaf architectures, the module facilitates ​​10G inter-rack links​​ with ​​≤0.5 dB/km attenuation​​, critical for maintaining ​​Tier 3 data center uptime​​.


Addressing Critical User Concerns

​Q: Can the SFP-10G-BXU-I= interoperate with third-party BiDi modules?​

A: Yes, if the remote device uses ​​1490 nm TX / 1310 nm RX​​ wavelengths. However, ​​DDM interoperability​​ may require Cisco ​​NX-OS/IOS-XE​​ for full visibility.


​Q: How does it handle fiber bends or misalignment?​

A: The ​​APC connector design​​ minimizes insertion loss to ​​≤0.3 dB​​, while ​​SNMP traps​​ alert administrators to signal degradation below ​​-14 dBm Rx power​​.


​Q: What maintenance ensures long-term reliability?​

A: Perform ​​bi-annual connector cleaning​​ with ​​Cisco-recommended tools​​, and replace modules if ​​laser bias current exceeds 15 mA​​ (indicative of aging lasers).


Procurement and Compatibility Guidelines

  • ​Supported Platforms​​: Nexus 9300/9500, Catalyst 9200/9500, ASR 900/1000 Series.
  • ​Licensing​​: Plug-and-play with ​​Cisco IOS-XE 17.6+​​ or ​​NX-OS 9.3+​​; no license required.

For Cisco-certified refurbished modules, visit the ​​[SFP-10G-BXU-I= link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/)​​.


Strategic Advantages Over Competing Solutions

  • ​Cisco Ecosystem Integration​​: ​​Cisco DNA Center​​ auto-discovers BiDi links and maps them to topology views, reducing troubleshooting time by ​​50%​​.
  • ​Cost Efficiency​​: ​​Single-fiber operation​​ cuts cabling costs by ​​30%​​ versus dual-strand 10GBASE-LR deployments.
  • ​Energy Savings​​: ​​0.8W lower power draw​​ per module compared to Juniper QFX-SFP-10GE-BXU, saving ~$200 annually per 100 links.

Final Perspective

The SFP-10G-BXU-I= exemplifies how Cisco transforms legacy fiber infrastructure into a strategic asset. While competitors focus on raw speed, this transceiver addresses the often-overlooked cost and complexity of fiber plant management. Enterprises clinging to outdated dual-strand architectures face unnecessary CAPEX; adopters of this module unlock scalability without trenching new fiber. In an era where every strand counts, Cisco’s BiDi innovation isn’t just a product—it’s a roadmap to sustainable network growth.


Related Post

Cisco UCSC-SATAIN-220M7=: High-Performance SA

Hardware Architecture & Interface Capabilities The ...

Cisco SKY-PC-IND= Industrial Power Cord: Tech

​​Introduction to the SKY-PC-IND= in Cisco’s Indu...

C9200CX-12P-2X2G-A: What Makes It a Standout

​​Overview of the C9200CX-12P-2X2G-A​​ The Cisc...