​​Defining the CB-LC-LC-MMF5M=​​

The ​​CB-LC-LC-MMF5M=​​ is a Cisco-certified ​​multimode fiber optic patch cable​​ with LC duplex connectors on both ends. Designed for short-distance, high-bandwidth connections, it supports data rates up to ​​10 Gbps​​ over a 5-meter (16.4-foot) span, ideal for data center and enterprise network deployments.

​​Core Technical Specifications​​

• ​​Fiber Type​​: ​​OM3 50/125μm​​ laser-optimized multimode fiber (MMF) for 850nm VCSEL applications.
• ​​Bandwidth​​: 2000 MHz·km (supports 10GBASE-SR up to 300 meters).
• ​​Connectors​​: ​​LC-LC duplex​​ with precise UPC (Ultra Physical Contact) polished ends.
• ​​Compliance​​: Meets ​​TIA-568-C.3​​ and ​​IEC 60793-2-10​​ standards for optical performance.
• ​​Durability​​: Bend-insensitive fiber design minimizes signal loss in tight rack setups.

​​Compatibility and Target Use Cases​​

​​Supported Cisco Hardware​​:

• ​​Catalyst 9300/9500 Series Switches​​: For stacking or uplink/downlink connections.
• ​​Nexus 3000/9000 Series​​: High-speed leaf-spine architectures in data centers.
• ​​Cisco UCS Fabric Interconnects​​: Server-to-switch connectivity in unified compute systems.

​​Typical Deployments​​:

• ​​Equipment Interconnects​​: Linking switches to SAN/NAS storage or blade servers.
• ​​Intra-Rack Links​​: Minimizing latency between devices in the same rack.
• ​​Migration Projects​​: Temporarily bridging legacy and modern Cisco hardware during upgrades.

​​Why OM3 Multimode Fiber Still Matters​​

Despite the rise of single-mode fiber (SMF), OM3 MMF remains cost-effective for:

• ​​Short-Reach Efficiency​​: No need for expensive SMF transceivers under 100 meters.
• ​​Backward Compatibility​​: Works with 1G/10G/40G Cisco SFP/SFP+/QSFP+ modules.
• ​​Simplified Maintenance​​: Easier cleaning and inspection compared to SMF connectors.

​​Purchasing Guidelines​​

For guaranteed performance and Cisco warranty coverage, ​​itmall.sale​​ provides:

• ​​Pre-Tested Cables​​: Verified with Cisco’s ​​Nexus Data Broker​​ for loss budgets.
• ​​Bulk Pricing​​: Discounts for enterprises deploying redundant fabric paths.
• ​​Authenticity Assurance​​: Counterfeit cables risk exceeding 0.5dB loss thresholds.

​​Addressing Key User Concerns​​

​​Q: Can this cable support 40G or 100G Ethernet?​​
A: Yes—use ​​MPO-LC breakout cassettes​​ to split 40G QSFP+ into 4x10G LC channels.

​​Q: Is it compatible with third-party transceivers?​​
A: Yes, but Cisco TAC may require genuine SFPs for troubleshooting support.

​​Q: How does OM3 compare to OM4?​​
A: OM4 supports longer distances (550m vs. 300m at 10G), but OM3 is sufficient for 5m links.

​​Final Insight​​

The CB-LC-LC-MMF5M= exemplifies Cisco’s “right tool for the job” philosophy. While hyperscalers chase terabit speeds, most enterprises still rely on cost-effective 10G/40G fabrics. Skimping on certified fiber cables risks introducing micro-errors that snowball into outages—especially in latency-sensitive environments like financial trading floors. For network architects, this cable isn’t just a link; it’s the foundation of predictable performance.