DS-SFP-FC4G-MR Cisco SFP Transceiver

Cisco DS-SFP-FC4G-MR 4.25Gbps Fibre Channel Transceiver

The Cisco DS-SFP-FC4G-MR is a high-performance Fibre Channel transceiver designed for enterprise storage area networks (SANs). Engineered to deliver stable, high-speed optical connectivity, this hot-swappable Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) module supports reliable data transmission across long-distance single-mode fiber links. It is an excellent choice for Cisco MDS Fibre Channel switches deployed in mission-critical data center environments.

Product Highlights

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Part Number: DS-SFP-FC4G-MR
• Device Type: Fibre Channel Transceiver Module
• Form Factor: Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP)
• Maximum Data Rate: 4.25Gbps
• Fiber Type: Single-Mode Optical Fiber (SMF)
• Connector: LC Duplex
• Operating Wavelength: 1310 nm
• Transmission Distance: Up to 4 km
• Auto-Sensing Capability: Yes

Reliable Fibre Channel Connectivity

Built for modern storage networking applications, the Cisco DS-SFP-FC4G-MR provides dependable Fibre Channel communication with low latency and exceptional signal integrity. Its longwave optical technology enables consistent performance over extended distances, making it suitable for connecting switches, storage arrays, and servers in enterprise SAN deployments.

Designed for High-Speed Data Networks

• Supports Fibre Channel communication up to 4.25Gbps.
• Optimized for storage networking infrastructure.
• Maintains stable optical performance for demanding workloads.
• Minimizes transmission errors for continuous business operations.

Optical Interface Specifications

• Connector Type: LC Duplex
• Media Type: Optical Fiber
• Fiber Specification: 9 µm
• Supported Fiber Mode: Single-Mode Fiber
• 1310 nm optical wavelength
• Longwave laser technology
• Maximum fiber distance of 4 km
• Reliable long-distance connectivity

Performance Features

Fast Data Transfer

• Supports data transfer speeds up to 4 Gbps.
• Designed for bandwidth-intensive storage applications.
• Provides efficient communication between storage devices and Fibre Channel switches.

Enterprise Deployment Advantages

• Ideal for Storage Area Networks (SANs)
• Supports business-critical infrastructure
• Ensures dependable optical communication
• Suitable for enterprise storage expansion projects
• Enhances network scalability and operational efficiency

Key Benefits

• Enterprise-grade Cisco reliability
• Long-distance single-mode fiber support
• Compact hot-pluggable SFP design
• Excellent signal quality with low power consumption
• Quick installation and simplified maintenance

Cisco Switch Compatibility

Supported Cisco MDS 9000 Series Switching Modules

The Cisco DS-SFP-FC4G-MR is compatible with multiple Cisco MDS Fibre Channel switching platforms, including:

• Cisco DS-X9112 Switching Module
• Cisco DS-X9124 Switching Module
• Cisco DS-X9148 Switching Module
• Cisco DS-C9020-20K9 Switching Module

Ideal Deployment Scenarios

• Enterprise storage area networks
• Data center Fibre Channel fabrics
• Storage switch uplinks
• Disaster recovery network connectivity
• High-availability storage infrastructures

Cisco DS-SFP-FC4G-MR Fibre Channel Transceiver

The Cisco DS-SFP-FC4G-MR 4.25Gbps Fibre Channel Transceiver Module is designed to provide reliable, high-speed optical connectivity for Fibre Channel Storage Area Networks (SANs). As organizations continue to depend on centralized storage infrastructures, virtualization, enterprise databases, and mission-critical applications, dependable Fibre Channel transceivers remain an essential component for ensuring uninterrupted data transmission between switches, storage arrays, servers, and directors. The DS-SFP-FC4G-MR optical module is engineered to deliver exceptional compatibility, signal integrity, and long-term operational stability in enterprise networking environments.

Supporting Fibre Channel communication at speeds up to 4.25Gbps, this Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) transceiver enables seamless deployment in compatible Cisco networking equipment. Its hot-swappable design minimizes downtime during installation, replacement, or maintenance while allowing network administrators to expand or modify storage infrastructures without disrupting production workloads.

Modern storage networks require low latency, consistent throughput, and dependable optical performance. The Cisco DS-SFP-FC4G-MR meets these requirements by utilizing multimode fiber technology and shortwave laser optics that deliver reliable communication over medium-distance enterprise fiber deployments. Whether used within data centers, campus storage environments, disaster recovery infrastructures, or departmental SAN implementations, this transceiver contributes to stable Fibre Channel connectivity that supports demanding enterprise workloads.

Purpose of the Cisco DS-SFP-FC4G-MR Module

Enterprise storage environments demand dedicated communication channels capable of transporting large volumes of storage traffic with minimal latency and maximum reliability. Unlike conventional Ethernet networking, Fibre Channel is optimized specifically for block-level storage communication, making it a preferred technology for mission-critical SAN deployments.

The Cisco DS-SFP-FC4G-MR transceiver serves as the optical interface between Fibre Channel equipment and multimode fiber cabling. It converts electrical signals generated by networking hardware into optical signals for transmission through fiber optic cables and then converts received optical signals back into electrical signals. This conversion process enables reliable communication over optical media while maintaining high bandwidth and signal quality.

The module is widely deployed in environments requiring dependable connectivity between storage switches, blade servers, SAN directors, tape libraries, storage controllers, virtualization hosts, and enterprise backup systems.

Key Features of Cisco DS-SFP-FC4G-MR

4.25Gbps Fibre Channel Support

The module supports Fibre Channel transmission speeds up to 4.25Gbps, making it suitable for enterprise storage environments operating at 1G, 2G, and 4G Fibre Channel data rates. Auto-negotiation and backward compatibility help organizations migrate storage infrastructures while protecting previous investments.

Hot-Pluggable Design

Hot-swappable capability allows installation or removal without shutting down switches or storage devices. This minimizes maintenance windows and simplifies infrastructure upgrades while maintaining operational continuity.

Multimode Fiber Compatibility

The DS-SFP-FC4G-MR utilizes multimode optical fiber, enabling cost-effective deployment within enterprise buildings and data centers where fiber distances generally remain within supported operating limits.

Reliable Optical Transmission

High-quality optical components provide stable signal transmission with low error rates, supporting continuous data movement for storage-intensive applications.

Compact SFP Form Factor

The industry-standard SFP form factor allows high-density port configurations in storage switches, maximizing available connectivity without increasing rack space requirements.

Technical Characteristics

Optical Interface

The Cisco DS-SFP-FC4G-MR employs shortwave laser technology optimized for multimode fiber communication. This configuration enables dependable optical performance while maintaining efficient power consumption.

Transmission Speed

The module supports Fibre Channel communication at 1.0625Gbps, 2.125Gbps, and 4.25Gbps, offering flexibility across multiple generations of Fibre Channel infrastructure.

Connector Type

An LC duplex optical connector provides secure and reliable fiber connectivity while supporting industry-standard multimode fiber cabling.

Fiber Type

The transceiver is intended for multimode fiber (MMF) installations, commonly utilizing OM1, OM2, OM3, or compatible multimode fiber infrastructure depending on deployment requirements.

Hot Swap Support

Administrators can replace failed modules or expand switch capacity without interrupting production traffic, reducing operational disruptions.

Benefits for Enterprise Storage Networks

Stable Storage Connectivity

Reliable optical communication helps maintain uninterrupted connectivity between storage devices and computing resources, reducing the risk of storage interruptions that could affect business operations.

Improved Data Availability

Enterprise SAN infrastructures rely on dependable Fibre Channel links to ensure continuous access to shared storage resources. The DS-SFP-FC4G-MR supports this requirement through consistent optical performance.

Scalable Infrastructure

Organizations can expand Fibre Channel fabrics incrementally by adding additional compatible transceivers as storage requirements increase.

Reduced Maintenance Complexity

Standardized SFP modules simplify inventory management, maintenance procedures, and replacement processes across enterprise deployments.

Enhanced Network Reliability

Using genuine Cisco-compatible optical modules helps ensure predictable interoperability and minimizes compatibility issues within supported Cisco SAN equipment.

Applications Across Enterprise Environments

Storage Area Networks (SAN)

One of the primary applications of the Cisco DS-SFP-FC4G-MR is enterprise Storage Area Networks. SAN environments demand consistent bandwidth, minimal latency, and high reliability to support block-level storage communication between servers and storage systems.

Virtualized Data Centers

Virtualization platforms depend heavily on centralized storage resources. Fibre Channel connectivity provides the performance required to support virtual machine migration, clustered environments, and shared storage access.

Enterprise Databases

Database platforms generate significant storage traffic requiring dependable connectivity. Fibre Channel infrastructure equipped with Cisco optical transceivers helps ensure stable database communication.

Backup Infrastructure

Enterprise backup systems frequently utilize Fibre Channel networks to transfer large volumes of data efficiently between production servers and backup storage.

Disaster Recovery Sites

Organizations implementing disaster recovery strategies benefit from reliable Fibre Channel connectivity between replication systems, storage arrays, and backup environments.

Supported Enterprise Workloads

Business Applications

ERP systems, CRM platforms, financial databases, healthcare applications, manufacturing software, and enterprise analytics platforms all require dependable storage communication.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure

VDI deployments rely on centralized storage systems capable of supporting simultaneous user sessions while maintaining consistent performance.

Email Platforms

Enterprise messaging servers continuously access storage resources, making Fibre Channel reliability an important component of messaging availability.

Cloud Infrastructure

Private cloud environments often leverage Fibre Channel SANs to provide shared storage resources for virtualized workloads and cloud services.

Advantages of Fibre Channel Technology

Dedicated Storage Networking

Unlike general-purpose Ethernet networks, Fibre Channel is specifically engineered for storage communication, delivering predictable performance and reduced congestion.

Low Latency

Storage workloads benefit from low communication latency, helping improve responsiveness for databases, virtual machines, and transactional systems.

High Availability

Redundant Fibre Channel fabrics provide multiple communication paths that contribute to resilient enterprise storage infrastructures.

Scalable Architecture

Organizations can gradually expand Fibre Channel environments without redesigning their storage infrastructure.

Cisco Quality and Engineering

Enterprise-Class Manufacturing

Cisco networking products are recognized for stringent manufacturing standards, extensive interoperability testing, and dependable enterprise performance.

Consistent Compatibility

The DS-SFP-FC4G-MR is designed to operate with compatible Cisco Fibre Channel switches, directors, and SAN equipment while maintaining consistent optical performance.

Operational Reliability

Enterprise organizations depend on reliable hardware to reduce maintenance frequency and improve overall infrastructure stability.