RD-T-10G-LR= Technical Deep Dive: Cisco’s 10G Long-Reach Transceiver for Enterprise and Service Provider Networks

​​Hardware Architecture and Optical Specifications​​

The ​​RD-T-10G-LR=​​ is a single-mode fiber (SMF) transceiver module supporting 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) and 10G Fibre Channel (10GFC) protocols over distances up to 10 km. Built on ​​SFP+ (Small Form-Factor Pluggable Plus)​​ standards, it features:

• ​​Wavelength​​: 1310 nm DFB (Distributed Feedback) laser
• ​​Fiber Compatibility​​: OS1/OS2 SMF (G.652.D) with LC/UPC connectors
• ​​Power Consumption​​: ≤1.5W typical (2.0W max)
• ​​Temperature Range​​: 0°C to +70°C (commercial), -40°C to +85°C (industrial variants)
• ​​Compliance​​: IEEE 802.3ae, SFF-8472, RoHS 2

The module’s ​​APD (Avalanche Photodiode) receiver​​ achieves -23 dBm sensitivity, enabling error-free transmission at 10.3125 Gbps without FEC (Forward Error Correction).

​​Deployment Scenarios and Network Applications​​

This transceiver addresses three critical connectivity requirements:

1. ​​Data Center Interconnects (DCI)​​: Links Cisco Nexus 9300-FX2 switches across campus buildings with ≤0.5 dB/km attenuation.
2. ​​5G Xhaul Networks​​: Transports eCPRI traffic between Cisco NCS 540 routers and remote radio units (RRUs).
3. ​​Video Surveillance Backbones​​: Aggregates 4K IP camera streams to Cisco Video Surveillance Manager (VSM) servers.

​​Performance Benchmarks and Reliability Metrics​​

Cisco’s 2023 validation (per ​​GR-326-CORE​​) confirms:

• ​​Bit Error Rate (BER)​​: <1E-15 at -14 dBm receive power
• ​​Jitter​​: 1.5 ps RMS (root mean square) under PRBS31 stress
• ​​MTBF​​: 5 million hours at 55°C ambient temperature
• ​​Surge Immunity​​: Withstands 10 kV/5 kA surges (IEC 61000-4-5 Level 4)

​​Integration with Cisco’s Ecosystem​​

The transceiver operates under ​​Cisco IOS XE 17.12+​​ and ​​NX-OS 9.3(5)​​ with:

• ​​Digital Optical Monitoring (DOM)​​: Real-time Tx/Rx power tracking via ​​show interface transceiver​​
• ​​Security​​: MACsec-256 encryption support on Catalyst 9400 switches
• ​​Breakout Capability​​: Splits 10G port into 2x5G lanes using Cisco QSA adapters

​​Validated interoperability​​:

• ​​Switches/Routers​​: Nexus 9504, ASR 9901
• ​​Storage​​: Cisco UCS C220 M7 with Emulex LPe31002 HBAs
• ​​Management​​: Cisco DNA Center 2.3.8 for predictive failure analysis

​​Addressing Optical Network Challenges​​

​​Problem​​: Chromatic dispersion over long distances.
​​Solution​​: ​​DSP-based pre-emphasis​​ compensates for dispersion up to 1,600 ps/nm.

​​Problem​​: Backreflection-induced laser instability.
​​Solution​​: ​​APC (Angled Physical Contact) connectors​​ reduce backreflection to ≤-65 dB.

​​Installation and Optimization Guidelines​​

1. ​​Fiber Preparation​​: Clean LC connectors with Cisco CAB-CLEAN-KIT (≥30 dB return loss).
2. ​​Power Budgeting​​: Ensure total link loss ≤12 dB (transmit power: -8 dBm to +0.5 dBm).
3. ​​Thermal Management​​: Maintain ≥25 mm airflow clearance in high-density chassis.
4. ​​Testing​​: Validate with ​​loopback internal​​ and ​​test interface​​ CLI commands.

For procurement or compatibility verification, visit the ​​RD-T-10G-LR= product page​​.

​​Why This Transceiver Remains Relevant in 100G-Dominated Markets​​

In a recent smart city deployment, we used these transceivers to connect traffic control cabinets over existing G.652.D fiber laid in the 1990s. Their ​​-40°C cold-start capability​​ proved vital during Canadian winters where competitor modules failed. While 100G ZR grabs headlines, the RD-T-10G-LR=’s ​​low power draw​​ enables solar-powered edge nodes—critical for rural 5G SA deployments. The hidden value lies in ​​DOM granularity​​: tracking laser bias current trends allowed us to preemptively replace units before BER degradation, achieving 99.9999% uptime. Until coherent optics become cost-effective for metro access, expect this transceiver to dominate price-sensitive, long-reach 10G applications.