10-2415-04 Cisco 10GBASE-SR LC/PC Multi-Mode SFP+ Transceiver

Outline of Cisco 10-2415-04 10GBASE-SR Transceiver  

The Cisco 10-2415-04 10GBASE-SR LC/PC Multi-Mode SFP+ Transceiver Module is a purpose-built optical module category for high-bandwidth, short-range network links that require 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity over multimode fiber. This category includes factory-tested SFP+ modules designed for data center, campus backbone, enterprise aggregation and top-of-rack switching applications where low-latency, high-throughput digital transmission is critical. Pages in this category provide detailed technical descriptions, compatibility information, installation guidance, performance expectations, and procurement considerations for network architects, system integrators, and IT managers who specify or maintain 10GBASE-SR links using LC/PC connectors and multimode fiber.

Product family characteristics and form factor

Modules in this category conform to the SFP+ (Small Form-Factor Pluggable Plus) mechanical specification, providing a compact, hot-pluggable transceiver that fits into standard SFP+ ports on switches, routers and network interface cards. The LC/PC duplex connector interface is the de-facto standard for multimode fiber connections in enterprise and data center equipment, ensuring a high degree of interoperability across vendors. These transceivers are engineered to meet the electrical and optical signaling requirements of 10 Gigabit Ethernet while maintaining power efficiency and thermal performance compatible with dense port counts in modern switches.

Optical signaling and wavelength behavior

Within this category, transceivers use a short-wavelength 850 nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) or equivalent multimode laser diode optimized for multimode fiber types. The 10GBASE-SR signaling method targets short-range links and is designed to operate on OM1 through OM4 multimode fiber with reach that varies by fiber grade and system margin. While exact link distance capability is influenced by the fiber type, cabling quality, and optical budget of the specific deployment, these modules excel in short-haul interconnects such as rack-to-rack, switch-to-switch and server-to-switch links where fiber attenuation and modal dispersion are within acceptable limits.

Standards compliance and interoperability

Products in this category are typically engineered to comply with relevant IEEE specifications for 10 Gigabit Ethernet, including the 10GBASE-SR portion of IEEE 802.3. Standards compliance means predictable electrical and optical behavior across verified platforms and facilitates interoperability testing against a wide range of network equipment. Many modules are also compatible with vendor-specific diagnostic registers that enable monitoring of optical power, temperature and other operational parameters through the host device’s management interface. When choosing a transceiver, it is important to check vendor compatibility matrices and firmware release notes to ensure full interoperability with the specific switch or server model used in the environment.

Digital diagnostic monitoring (DDM) and management

Advanced SFP+ transceivers in this category often support Digital Diagnostic Monitoring (DDM), which is sometimes referred to as Digital Optical Monitoring (DOM). DDM provides real-time information such as transmit and receive optical power, supply voltage, operating temperature, and laser bias current. These parameters can be read via the host device’s management plane and are instrumental for proactive maintenance, capacity planning, and rapid fault isolation. Implementing DDM-capable modules helps operations teams detect degrading fiber links or failing transceivers before they cause packet loss or extended downtime.

Technical features and performance expectations

The category emphasizes specific technical features that are important for designers and purchasers. Key characteristics include SFP+ form factor compliance, LC duplex connector interface, multimode fiber operation optimized at 850 nm, robust thermal design for continuous 10 Gbps operation, and support for industry-standard management interfaces. Performance expectations include low bit error rate (BER), stable optical output under varying temperature ranges, and consistent receive sensitivity necessary to achieve reliable links across rated distances for each fiber type. Vendors document these parameters in product datasheets so that system planners can confirm that the module meets the required optical budget for their network segments.

Power consumption and thermal considerations

Power per port and thermal dissipation are critical in dense switch environments. Modules categorized under Cisco 10-2415-04 and similar 10GBASE-SR SFP+ devices are designed for modest power consumption to minimize the thermal load on switching platforms with large numbers of SFP+ ports. Low power encourages higher port density per chassis without requiring excessive airflow or more powerful cooling solutions. When planning a deployment, consider the cumulative power and heat from all transceivers, attached line cards, and adjacent equipment in a rack, especially in high-density top-of-rack switch installations.

Receive sensitivity and optical budget

The receive sensitivity specification describes the minimum optical power level that the module can detect while still meeting the designated bit error rate. The difference between the transmitter output power and receiver sensitivity represents the optical budget, which dictates maximum link distances for different multimode fiber grades. When designing a link, network engineers compare the expected insertion loss of cable runs, connectors, and patch panels against the optical budget to ensure margin for future degradation and connector impairments. This category’s documentation assists installers in confirming that selected cables and patching practices preserve the optical budget.

Cabling and fiber considerations

Multimode fiber selection plays a central role in achieving the intended reach and performance for 10GBASE-SR links. This category explores multimode grades such as OM1, OM2, OM3 and OM4, explaining how modal bandwidth and core diameter affect dispersion and reach. OM3 and OM4 laser-optimized multimode fibers deliver higher effective modal bandwidth and allow longer 10GBASE-SR links compared to legacy OM1 or OM2 cabling. For data center environments that plan migration paths to higher-speed links in the future, investing in OM3 or OM4 can provide cost-effective headroom for future upgrades while maintaining legacy compatibility with SFP+ modules.

Patch panels, MPO/LC transitions and structured cabling

Practical deployment often involves structured cabling elements like patch panels, MPO trunk assemblies and LC patch cords. Optical loss accumulates at connector interfaces and splices, so judicious use of high-quality connectors and minimizing unnecessary interface points helps preserve link margin. The category content addresses best practices for patching — for example, avoiding cascading too many patch panels and keeping fiber bend radius above specified limits to prevent microbend loss. It also discusses considerations when transitioning from MPO trunks to LC-terminated ports, and how to maintain polarity when combining duplex LC connections with multi-fiber trunking.

Compatibility matrix and vendor considerations

One of the most important aspects covered is the compatibility relationship between the transceiver module and the host vendor’s hardware and firmware. Even when a module follows the SFP+ mechanical and electrical standard, vendors sometimes require a firmware handshake or a vendor-coded identifier for full feature parity. The category explains how to consult compatibility matrices, confirm supported firmware versions, and where to find vendor advisories that might affect feature availability such as DDM readings or optical power reporting. This reduces the risk of operational surprises after deployment and helps procurement teams specify parts that are known to work with existing equipment.

Use cases across industries and network tiers

Transceivers in this category are used in a broad set of network roles. In data centers they are commonly used for server-to-switch and switch-to-switch connectivity in top-of-rack and end-of-row architectures. In campus networks they often appear in aggregation and distribution layers, linking floors or buildings where multimode fiber infrastructure exists. Industries such as finance, media production, education, healthcare and cloud service providers use these modules to deliver high-bandwidth services with low latency. The category elaborates real-world scenarios where 10GBASE-SR SFP+ provides a balanced mix of capacity, cost and simplicity compared to longer-reach or single-mode solutions.

High-density computing and virtualization

Modern virtualization and hyperconverged infrastructures place demanding traffic patterns on east-west traffic inside the data center. The small size and low power profile of SFP+ transceivers make them well-suited to high-density switches that interconnect many virtual machines and storage arrays. The category discusses how these modules help maintain segregated, low-latency links for tenant isolation and storage replication, while also supporting converged networking designs that carry storage, compute and management traffic on shared physical fabrics.

Key Capabilities and Functional Characteristics

Engineered for environments that require sustained throughput and seamless optical signaling, the Cisco 10GBASE-SR SFP+ module demonstrates robust data integrity and exceptional speed. It maximizes link efficiency in multi-platform ecosystems while supporting a wide range of enterprise and service-provider deployments.

High-Speed Optical Data Transmission

Utilizing 850 nm wavelength technology, the transceiver offers rapid transfer rates of 10 Gbps, enabling instantaneous data movement across short and medium distances. This ensures low-latency communication suitable for virtualization clusters, high-performance computing frameworks, and storage interconnections.

Advanced Operational Advantages  

Beyond its foundational optical capabilities, the Cisco 10-2415-02 SFP+ module delivers essential advantages valuable to enterprise, service provider, and cloud-based infrastructures. It provides energy efficiency, enhanced bandwidth allocation, and consistent performance under high-density workloads.

Improved Throughput for Data-Heavy Applications

Applications such as big-data processing, virtual machine migration, distributed cloud computing, and high-resolution media transport benefit from the module's low-latency and high-throughput design. The transceiver maintains stable bandwidth even when handling simultaneous high-volume transmissions.

Energy Efficiency and Cooling Optimization

Engineered to operate with minimal power consumption, the Cisco 10GBASE-SR module contributes to reduced thermal output inside network devices. This is critical for data centers seeking to maintain optimal airflow and cooling efficiency while minimizing operational costs.

Seamless Hardware Integration

The module is fully compatible with a broad lineup of Cisco platforms. Its plug-and-play functionality ensures rapid deployment with minimal configuration, aligning perfectly with scalable and modular network upgrades.

Reliability, Durability, and Build Quality

Cisco’s reputation for producing high-grade networking components is reflected in the construction quality of this SFP+ transceiver. Rigorously tested for consistent optical transmission, the unit ensures excellent operational longevity and dependable performance in environments with continuous workloads.

Robust Manufacturing Standards

Every module adheres to Cisco’s strict reliability benchmarks, guaranteeing resistance to signal degradation and minimizing failure risks. This positions the 10GBASE-SR SFP+ as a long-term solution for expanding or upgrading digital transport systems.

Operational Stability in High-Traffic Environments

Even during peak demand, the module sustains consistent throughput, eliminating bottlenecks in data-intensive networks. Whether handling large virtualization clusters or complex enterprise traffic patterns, it ensures stable and continuous connectivity.

Enhanced Multimode Fiber Flexibility

One of the transceiver’s greatest advantages is its compatibility with multiple types of multimode fiber, enabling organizations to make efficient use of existing cabling infrastructure. This adaptability reduces upgrade costs while significantly improving overall network performance.

Optimized for Various MMF Categories

Whether your network uses older FDDI-grade fiber or advanced OM3 cabling, the module adjusts seamlessly to different optical environments, delivering excellent link stability and signal strength.

Benefits for Enterprise and Service Provider Networks

Enterprises requiring fast and predictable fiber-optic communication benefit greatly from the Cisco 10-2415-02 SFP+. Service providers also rely on its reliable optical interface to support data transport, customer connectivity services, and internal infrastructure links.

Business-Focused Performance Enhancements

Businesses can depend on this transceiver module to maintain strong network continuity, support multiple services, and enable reliable communication between critical IT assets. Its robust design ensures streamlined network operations across departments and branches.