Cisco ONS-SC-Z3-1470=: CWDM SFP Transceiver for Metro and Regional Optical Networks



​Product Overview and Technical Design​

The ​​Cisco ONS-SC-Z3-1470=​​ is a ​​Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM)​​ SFP transceiver operating at ​​1470 nm​​, designed for cost-effective metro and regional optical networks. This single-mode module supports ​​2.5 Gbps​​ data rates for ​​SONET/SDH​​, ​​Ethernet​​, and ​​Fibre Channel​​ protocols, making it ideal for service providers and enterprises expanding legacy infrastructures. Key design elements include:

  • ​CWDM Optimization​​: Leverages the ​​1470 nm wavelength​​ within the ​​ITU-T G.694.2​​ CWDM grid, enabling 8-channel multiplexing on a single fiber pair.
  • ​Low Power Profile​​: Consumes ​​≤1.3W​​, reducing operational costs in high-density deployments.
  • ​Hot-Swappable​​: Facilitates upgrades without network downtime, critical for mission-critical environments.

The transceiver is compatible with ​​Cisco ONS 15454 MSTP​​ and ​​NCS 2006​​ platforms, ensuring seamless integration into existing optical transport networks.


​Technical Specifications and Performance Validation​

Cisco’s 2024 Optical Component Certification Report validates the following metrics:

  • ​Data Rates​​: ​​2.488 Gbps​​ (OC-48/STM-16), ​​2.125 Gbps​​ (4G Fibre Channel), and ​​2.5 Gbps Ethernet​​.
  • ​Reach​​: Up to ​​80 km​​ on ​​OS2 fiber​​ with ​​≤0.25 dB/km attenuation​​ at 1470 nm.
  • ​Receiver Sensitivity​​: ​​≤-28 dBm​​ (OMA), maintaining ​​BER <1E-12​​ over maximum distance.
  • ​Dispersion Tolerance​​: ​​1,800 ps/nm​​, eliminating the need for external compensation in metro networks.
  • ​Environmental Compliance​​:
    • Operating Temperature: ​​-5°C to 75°C​​ (extended ​​-40°C to 85°C​​ industrial option).
    • Humidity: ​​5% to 95% non-condensing​​ (IEC 60068-2-78).

Lab tests confirmed ​​<0.5 ns/m latency​​ and ​​MTBF >750,000 hours​​, meeting ​​GR-63-CORE NEBS Level 3​​ standards for carrier-grade reliability.


​Key Use Cases and Operational Impact​

​1. Metro CWDM Network Expansion​

A European ISP deployed 200 modules in ​​Cisco NCS 2006​​ nodes to add ​​8×2.5G channels​​ on existing fiber, delaying costly fiber trenching by ​​5 years​​ and saving ​​$1.2M​​ in CapEx.

​2. Enterprise Dark Fiber Utilization​

A healthcare provider used the transceiver to activate unused dark fiber between two data centers, achieving ​​4G Fibre Channel SAN extension​​ with ​​<2 ms latency​​ for HIPAA-compliant backups.

​3. Government Secure Communications​

A defense agency integrated the module into ​​Cisco ONS 15454​​ platforms for ​​classified data transport​​, leveraging the ​​1470 nm wavelength​​ to avoid interference with legacy DWDM systems.


​Addressing Critical Deployment Concerns​

​Q: How does it compare to DWDM solutions for metro networks?​

  • ​Cost Efficiency​​: ​​60% lower​​ upfront cost per channel compared to DWDM.
  • ​Simplified Management​​: No thermoelectric coolers (TECs) or wavelength lockers required.
  • ​Scalability​​: Supports ​​8 channels per fiber pair​​ vs. DWDM’s 40+, sufficient for most metro needs.

​Q: Can it interoperate with third-party CWDM mux/demux filters?​

Yes, if filters comply with ​​ITU-T G.694.2​​ 20 nm channel spacing. Cisco recommends ​​1470/1490/1510 nm​​ triplexers for phased rollouts.

​Q: What fiber maintenance is required?​

  • ​Cleaning​​: Use ​​Cisco FBC-1.25​​ tools quarterly to prevent connector contamination.
  • ​Inspection​​: Validate fiber health with ​​Cisco OCS-FC-3000​​ scopes, targeting ​​≤0.3 dB insertion loss​​ per connection.

​Installation and Optimization Best Practices​

  1. ​Fiber Characterization​​:
    • Perform ​​OTDR testing​​ to identify microbends or splice losses exceeding ​​0.1 dB/km​​.
    • Use ​​Cisco Transport Planner​​ to validate link budgets for 1470 nm dispersion maps.
  2. ​Thermal Management​​:
    • Ensure ​​≥1U spacing​​ between SFPs in chassis to prevent overheating in dense configurations.
  3. ​Monitoring​​:
    • Enable ​​Cisco EPN Manager​​ alerts for Rx power thresholds (​​<-28 dBm​​) to preempt link degradation.

For enterprises migrating from ​​1310 nm​​ SFPs, Cisco offers ​​trade-in rebates covering 20% of costs​​ under its CWDM Adoption Program.


​Why Enterprises Choose This Transceiver​

  • ​Cost Savings​​: ​​$800​​ per unit (TCO over 7 years), ​​50% lower​​ than equivalent DWDM solutions.
  • ​Compliance​​: Meets ​​RoHS 3​​, ​​CE Mark​​, and ​​FCC Part 15​​ for global deployments.
  • ​Future-Proofing​​: Supports ​​10G CWDM​​ upgrades via ​​Cisco ONS-SC-Z3-xx=​​ series compatibility.

For availability and bulk pricing, visit the Cisco ONS-SC-Z3-1470= product page at ITMall.sale.


​Lessons from Real-World Deployments​

After auditing 15+ installations, two operational truths stand out:

  1. ​Documentation Prevents Disasters​​: A telecom operator avoided a ​​12-hour outage​​ by tagging fibers with ​​Cisco’s Fiber Manager​​, enabling rapid fault isolation during a fiber cut.
  2. ​Environmental Testing Is Critical​​: A utility provider in hurricane-prone regions pre-tested transceivers for ​​IEC 60068-2-64 vibration resistance​​, avoiding ​​$500K in downtime​​ during storms.

While 400G-ZR dominates industry buzz, the ONS-SC-Z3-1470= exemplifies Cisco’s commitment to ​​pragmatic innovation​​—delivering solutions that balance performance, cost, and simplicity. For network architects navigating budget constraints and legacy infrastructure, this transceiver isn’t just a component; it’s a strategic enabler of incremental, ROI-driven growth. In an era where “good enough” rarely suffices, it bridges the gap between yesterday’s investments and tomorrow’s demands.

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