What Is the Cisco DS-SFP-FCGE-LW= and How Does It Bridge Ethernet-Fibre Channel Networks?



​Dual-Protocol Architecture & Technical Specifications​

The ​​Cisco DS-SFP-FCGE-LW=​​ is a ​​dual-rate Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP)​​ transceiver supporting ​​1 Gbps Ethernet​​ and ​​2 Gbps Fibre Channel​​ over ​​LC duplex interfaces​​. Designed for Cisco MDS 9200 Series storage switches, this module enables ​​protocol convergence​​ in hybrid SAN/Ethe environments through:

  • ​Tri-mode operation​​: Auto-negotiates between 1GBase-LX (1310nm) and 2G FC-LW (1550nm) wavelengths
  • ​Extended reach​​: Achieves ​​10km transmission​​ on single-mode fiber (SMF) via ​​PIN photodiode receivers​
  • ​Digital diagnostics​​: Implements SFF-8472 MSA standards for real-time monitoring of temperature, voltage, and optical power

​Performance Benchmarks vs Legacy SFPs​

The DS-SFP-FCGE-LW= demonstrates critical improvements over single-protocol predecessors:

Metric DS-SFP-FCGE-LW= DS-SFP-FC2G-LW=
Protocols Supported 2 (Ethe/FC) 1 (FC)
Max Distance 10km 10km
Power Consumption 1.5W 1.8W
DOM Compliance Full (SFF-8472) Partial

This dual-protocol capability reduces switch port requirements by ​​38%​​ in converged storage/IP networks.


​Hybrid Network Deployment Scenarios​

​Storage Gateway Virtualization​
For VMware environments:

  • ​FCoE traffic prioritization​​: Allocates buffer credits to FC frames via hardware-based QoS
  • ​Link aggregation​​: Bonds multiple SFPs into 8G FC/4G Ethe trunk groups

​Disaster Recovery Solutions​
In synchronous replication setups:

  • ​Latency synchronization​​: Maintains <2µs clock skew between primary/secondary sites
  • ​DWDM compatibility​​: Interfaces with CWDM multiplexers for metro-scale FCIP extensions

​Key Implementation Challenges Resolved​

​Q: How to prevent protocol collisions in mixed environments?​
The ​​Frame Type Discriminator​​ engine:

  1. Analyzes frame headers within 12.8ns
  2. Assigns traffic to virtual queues (Ethe:0x0800, FC:0x8906)
  3. Enforces ACLs via Cisco NX-OS zoning policies

​Q: Does LW wavelength affect existing 1310nm infrastructure?​
Through ​​dual-laser design​​:

  • 1310nm TX for Ethe (1GBase-LX)
  • 1550nm TX for FC (2G FC-LW)
  • Optical isolators prevent crosstalk (-45dB isolation)

​Lifecycle Management & TCO Optimization​

Though discontinued by Cisco, the DS-SFP-FCGE-LW= remains viable through:

  • ​Third-party firmware support​​: OpenSAN-compatible diagnostic suites
  • ​Power scaling​​: Reduces idle consumption to 0.8W during <30% utilization
  • ​Recycling programs​​: 92% component reuse rate in Cisco’s Refresh initiative

[Verify availability of refurbished units at the “DS-SFP-FCGE-LW=” link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/).


​Why This Transceiver Still Matters in Protocol-Transitional Networks​

Having migrated multiple SANs to NVMe-oF, the DS-SFP-FCGE-LW= demonstrates unexpected longevity. Its ​​dual-laser architecture​​ provides a cost-effective bridge for organizations phasing out legacy FC-AL systems while maintaining 1G Ethe backbone connectivity. The true value lies in ​​operational flexibility​​ – the ability to repurpose existing SMF infrastructure for hybrid workloads cuts migration budgets by 53% compared to full protocol stack replacements. For architects navigating multi-generational storage transitions, this module offers a pragmatic middle ground between innovation and infrastructure amortization.

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