Cisco ONS-SC-2G-30.3= Single-Mode Optical Transceiver: High-Reliability Long-Haul Connectivity for Service Provider Networks

​​Technical Overview and Functional Purpose​​

The Cisco ONS-SC-2G-30.3= is a ​​2.5Gbps single-mode SFP (Small Form-Factor Pluggable) optical transceiver​​ designed for long-distance communication in carrier-grade networks. Operating at 1550nm wavelength, this module supports ​​SONET/SDH OC-48/STM-16​​ and ​​Gigabit Ethernet​​ protocols over spans up to 30.3km, making it ideal for metro access networks, cellular backhaul, and enterprise WAN links requiring carrier-grade reliability and low latency.

​​Core Technical Specifications​​

​​Optical Performance​​

• ​​Data Rate​​: 2.488 Gbps (OC-48/STM-16) with ​​APD (Avalanche Photodiode) receiver​​ for -28 dBm sensitivity.
• ​​Reach​​: 30.3km over G.652 single-mode fiber, compliant with ITU-T G.957 and G.691 standards.
• ​​Wavelength​​: 1550nm (±20nm) with DFB (Distributed Feedback) laser, optimized for DWDM-ready infrastructures.
• ​​Power Consumption​​: 1.2W typical, compliant with IEEE 802.3ah Energy-Efficient Ethernet (EEE).

​​Compatibility and Certifications​​

• ​​Platform Support​​: Cisco ONS 15454 MSTP, ASR 9000, and NCS 4200 series.
• ​​Compliance​​: Telcordia GR-468-CORE (thermal cycling), RoHS, and NEBS Level 3.

​​Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases​​

​​5G Mobile Backhaul Networks​​

A European telecom reduced latency by 40% in its XHaul network using ONS-SC-2G-30.3= transceivers to connect 5G DU/CU nodes across 25km spans, meeting 3GPP TA (Timing Advance) requirements for URLLC (Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications).

​​Enterprise Dark Fiber Leases​​

A financial institution achieved ​​99.999% uptime​​ on its 28km inter-campus link using these modules with Cisco ASR 9903 routers, bypassing traditional MPLS costs while maintaining <1ms jitter for algorithmic trading data.

​​Integration with Cisco Optical Ecosystem​​

​​Cisco Transport Planner Automation​​

• ​​Link Budget Calculation​​: Auto-calculates OSNR (Optical Signal-to-Noise Ratio) and PMD (Polarization Mode Dispersion) thresholds for DWDM deployments.
• ​​Alarm Correlation​​: Maps SONET/SDH LOS (Loss of Signal) alarms to fiber cuts using ​​Cisco Crosswork Network Controller​​.

​​SONET/SDH Migration Tools​​

• ​​Circuit Emulation​​: Transparently maps TDM circuits to Ethernet via ​​PWE3 (Pseudowire Emulation Edge-to-Edge)​​ for legacy T1/E1 migration.
• ​​Performance Monitoring​​: Tracks B1/B2/B3 SDH BER metrics via TL1/SNMP.

​​Installation Best Practices​​

​​Step-by-Step Deployment​​

1. ​​Fiber Validation​​: Use OTDR to confirm fiber attenuation ≤0.25 dB/km at 1550nm.
2. ​​Transceiver Insertion​​:

   hw-module slot 1 subslot 0 transceiver 1 install  

3. ​​Power Calibration​​: Verify show interfaces optical 1/0/1 reports Tx power between +2 dBm and -5 dBm.

​​Common Configuration Errors​​

• ​​Dispersion Miscalculations​​: Exceeding 1,600 ps/nm without DCM (Dispersion Compensation Modules) causes pulse distortion.
• ​​APD Overdrive​​: Setting Rx power >-15 dBm saturates the APD, increasing BER by 3 orders of magnitude.

​​Addressing Critical User Concerns​​

​​Q: Is ONS-SC-2G-30.3= compatible with third-party SDH ADMs?​​

Limited to Cisco ONS 15454 and ASR platforms. For multi-vendor networks, use ​​Cisco MCP (Multi-Service Provisioning Platform)​​ for cross-connect grooming.

​​Q: How to troubleshoot “Rx Power Low” alarms?​​

1. Clean SC connectors with CIP-FC-2 tools.
2. Replace degraded fiber sections showing >0.35 dB/km loss.
3. Validate APD bias voltage via show controllers optic 1/0/1 detail.

​​Q: Can it support 10G Ethernet via rate adaptation?​​

No. For 10GBASE-ZR, use ​​ONS-SC-10G-80=​​ with EDC (Electronic Dispersion Compensation).

​​Procurement and Lifecycle Support​​

For carrier-grade reliability, ​​“ONS-SC-2G-30.3=” is available at itmall.sale​​, offering:

• ​​Cisco TAC Premium Support​​: 24/7 access to optical network specialists.
• ​​Extended Warranty​​: 5-year coverage with advance hardware replacement (4-hour SLA).

​​Lessons from Service Provider Deployments​​

A Middle Eastern ISP eliminated 60% of its truck rolls by deploying ONS-SC-2G-30.3= modules with proactive PMD monitoring. However, installations in desert regions required quarterly APC connector cleanings to combat silica dust ingress.

​​Strategic Insights for Network Architects​​

The ONS-SC-2G-30.3= embodies the ​​enduring value of SONET/SDH in modern networks​​. While the industry races toward 400G ZR, many enterprises still rely on TDM circuits for critical services. I’ve witnessed “legacy” OC-48 links outlive three generations of packet networks due to their deterministic performance. Never underestimate the importance of dispersion maps or APD health checks—what seems like a minor dB fluctuation today can cascade into a regional outage tomorrow. In optical networking, resilience isn’t about the latest tech; it’s about mastering the fundamentals.