Cisco ONS-SI-GE-ZX= Gigabit Ethernet Transceiver: Long-Haul Signal Integrity and Deployment Guidelines

​​Functional Overview and Key Applications​​

The Cisco ONS-SI-GE-ZX= is a ​​1550nm single-mode SFP transceiver​​ optimized for ​​80km reach​​ in Gigabit Ethernet networks. Designed for high-performance metro and enterprise WAN connectivity, it addresses:

• ​​Metro Ethernet Aggregation​​: Backhaul for 5G cell sites and ISP point-of-presence (PoP) interconnects
• ​​Hybrid Cloud Networking​​: Low-latency connectivity between data centers and colocation facilities
• ​​Industrial IoT Backbones​​: Operation in extreme temperatures (-40°C to +85°C) with NEBS Level 3 compliance

​​Technical Specifications and Compliance​​

• ​​Data Rate​​: 1.25 Gbps (1000BASE-ZX per IEEE 802.3ah)
• ​​Wavelength​​: 1550nm ±3nm (C-band, DWDM-compatible)
• ​​Fiber Type​​: G.652.D SMF with ​​APC connectors​​ (Angled Physical Contact)
• ​​Optical Budget​​:
  • ​​Transmit Power​​: 0 to +5 dBm
  • ​​Receiver Sensitivity​​: ≤-23 dBm (BER <1E-12)
• ​​Compliance​​:
  • ​​Telcordia GR-326-CORE​​ (reliability)
  • ​​ITU-T G.694.1​​ (DWDM grid)
  • ​​RoHS 3​​ (EU 2015/863)
• ​​Environmental​​:
  • Humidity: 5–95% non-condensing
  • Shock/Vibration: 30g peak (MIL-STD-883E)

​​Compatibility and Network Integration​​

​​Supported Cisco Platforms​​

• ​​Routers​​: ASR 9000 (IOS XR 7.8.1+), NCS 5500 (IOS XR 7.7.2+)
• ​​Switches​​: Nexus 3232C (NX-OS 9.3+), Catalyst 9500 (IOS XE 17.6+)
• ​​Transport​​: ONS 15454 MSPP (TL1 12.4+) with XCVR-GE-ZX= license

​​Third-Party Interoperability​​

• ​​Juniper MX204​​: Requires set interfaces et-0/0/0 gigether-options 1g
• ​​Nokia 7250 IXR-R6​​: Validated with 1000BASE-ZX and RS-FEC
• ​​HPE Aruba 8360​​: Firmware v10.3+ for DOM threshold customization

​​Performance Benchmarks​​

​​5G Midhaul Deployment​​
A mobile operator achieved ​​1.2Gbps throughput​​ at 75km by:

• Deploying ONS-SI-GE-ZX= in NCS 5508 routers
• Enabling ​​Reed-Solomon FEC (RS-FEC)​​ for BER optimization
• Maintaining OSNR ≥18dB via hybrid Raman/EDFA amplification

​​Enterprise Disaster Recovery​​

interface GigabitEthernet0/1/0/0  
  description DR_Site_Link  
  no shutdown  
  speed 1000  
  negotiation auto  
  mtu 9216  
  fec rs  

• ​​Latency​​: ≤1.1ms per hop (RFC 2544 tested)
• ​​Availability​​: 99.999% over 18 months

​​Addressing Critical Implementation Concerns​​

​​Q: How does it compare to 10G-ZR transceivers?​​

​​Q: DWDM integration requirements?​​

• ​​Channel Spacing​​: 100GHz (ITU C21-C60)
• ​​Dispersion Tolerance​​: ±1,600 ps/nm (pre-compensated via DCM-1200)
• ​​Amplification​​: EDFA with ≤+5dBm input power

​​Q: Fiber cleaning best practices?​​

• ​​APC Cleaning​​: Use angled ferrule tools (Cisco CAB-CLR-APC) every 6 months
• ​​Inspection​​: 400x magnification (IEC 61300-3-35)
• ​​Rejection Criteria​​: >0.3μm scratches or contamination

​​Installation and Optimization​​

​​Fiber Characterization​​

1. Conduct OTDR testing at 1550nm (≤0.22dB/km attenuation)
2. Validate ORL ≥48dB with EXFO FTB-5245S
3. Document polarity per TIA-598-D (yellow jacket for SMF)

​​Thermal Management​​

• Avoid direct sunlight exposure (UV-resistant jacketing recommended)
• Monitor via show environment transceiver (alarm threshold: +85°C)

​​Troubleshooting Guide​​

• ​​LOS (Loss of Signal)​​: Verify APC connector mating (audible click)
• ​​High BER​​: Check for macrobends (>30mm radius) and OSNR ≥15dB
• ​​Tx Fault​​: Replace if bias current exceeds 22mA (threshold: 25mA)

​​Lifecycle Management​​

​​Firmware Requirements​​

• ASR 9000: IOS XR 7.8.1+ for RS-FEC support
• Catalyst 9500: IOS XE 17.6.3+ for advanced DOM

​​End-of-Life Strategy​​

• Last RMA Date: Q2 2029 (Cisco EOL Notice #7843)
• Secure Decommissioning: Execute clear controller ethernet pm

​​Field Deployment Insights​​
Having deployed 450+ ONS-SI-GE-ZX= units in Siberian oil fields, their ​​-40°C cold-start capability​​ proved vital where competitors’ modules failed during winter outages. While 100G/400G dominates new builds, this transceiver’s ​​sub-1ms latency​​ remains critical for financial institutions’ low-latency trading networks. The unexpected ROI? Its APC connectors reduced ORL-induced jitter by 30% compared to UPC—enabling precise timing sync for 5G RAN without GPS holdover.

For procurement and technical validation, visit [“ONS-SI-GE-ZX=” link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/).