DS-SFP-FC16G-SW= Cisco 16Gbps Fiber 100m 850nm LC SFP+ Transceiver Module

Cisco DS-SFP-FC16G-SW= 16Gbps FC SFP+ Transceiver Module

The Cisco DS-SFP-FC16G-SW= is a high-speed Fibre Channel SFP+ transceiver engineered to provide reliable 16Gbps connectivity across short-distance multimode fiber networks. Designed with an 850nm VCSEL laser and dual LC optical interface, this hot-swappable transceiver delivers stable data transmission for enterprise storage networking environments. It is an excellent choice for Cisco MDS 9000 Series SAN switches where dependable performance and low latency are essential.

Core Product Information

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Model Number: DS-SFP-FC16G-SW=
• Device Type: Fibre Channel Transceiver Module
• Form Factor: SFP+ (GBIC-SFP)
• Network Standard: 16Gbps Fibre Channel
• Connector: Duplex LC
• Fiber Type: Multi-Mode Fiber (MMF)
• Maximum Distance: Up to 100 meters

Optical Transmission Features

Built with precision optical components, the Cisco DS-SFP-FC16G-SW= supports high-bandwidth Fibre Channel communications while maintaining exceptional signal quality. The integrated VCSEL technology enables efficient short-range optical transmission with excellent stability.

Optical Specifications

• 850nm VCSEL laser technology
• Operating wavelength of 850nm
• Transmit optical power from -6 dBm to -1 dBm
• Maximum receiver overload of -1 dBm
• Supports dependable short-distance optical communication

Fiber Compatibility

• Compatible with 50µm Multi-Mode Fiber
• Supports 62.5µm Multi-Mode Fiber
• Ideal for Fibre Channel SAN deployments
• Provides consistent signal integrity across supported distances

Interface and Connectivity

The module utilizes a duplex LC connector that enables quick installation and dependable fiber connectivity. Its hot-pluggable SFP+ form factor simplifies maintenance and allows network administrators to upgrade or replace modules without interrupting system operations.

Interface Specifications

• One LC duplex Fibre Channel interface
• Hot-swappable SFP+ transceiver design
• Compact GBIC-SFP form factor
• Secure optical fiber connection

Digital Optical Monitoring

The integrated Digital Optical Monitoring (DOM) capability provides real-time operational diagnostics, allowing administrators to monitor optical performance, improve troubleshooting efficiency, and proactively maintain network reliability.

High-Speed Fibre Channel Performance

Supporting data transfer rates of up to 16Gbps, this Cisco optical transceiver is optimized for demanding storage area network applications. It delivers the bandwidth required for modern enterprise workloads, virtualization platforms, backup systems, and high-performance storage infrastructures.

• 16Gbps Fibre Channel throughput
• Low-latency optical communication
• Reliable data integrity
• Stable operation in enterprise SAN environments
• Optimized for continuous business workloads

Compatible Cisco Platforms

The Cisco DS-SFP-FC16G-SW= is specifically designed for seamless integration with Cisco Fibre Channel switching solutions.

Supported Systems

• Cisco MDS 9000 Series Storage Networking Switches
• Enterprise Fibre Channel SAN infrastructures
• Data center storage networking deployments
• High-availability storage environments

Business Advantages

• Enterprise-grade Cisco reliability
• Fast deployment with plug-and-play installation
• Short-range optical connectivity up to 100 meters
• Enhanced network visibility through DOM diagnostics
• Energy-efficient optical communication
• Excellent compatibility with Cisco storage networking hardware
• Supports scalable Fibre Channel infrastructure expansion

Ideal Deployment Scenarios

The Cisco DS-SFP-FC16G-SW= transceiver is suitable for organizations requiring dependable, high-speed Fibre Channel connectivity within short-distance multimode fiber environments.

• Enterprise data centers
• Storage Area Networks (SAN)
• Virtualized server environments
• Business-critical storage infrastructure
• Backup and disaster recovery systems
• High-performance computing networks
• Mission-critical Fibre Channel deployments

Cisco DS-SFP-FC16G-SW= 16Gbps LC Connector SFP+ Transceiver

The Cisco DS-SFP-FC16G-SW= 16Gbps Fiber 100m 850nm LC Connector SFP+ Transceiver Module is a high-performance optical transceiver designed to deliver reliable Fibre Channel connectivity for modern storage area networks (SANs). Built for enterprise-grade deployments, this hot-swappable Small Form-Factor Pluggable Plus (SFP+) module enables high-speed data transmission over multimode fiber (MMF) while maintaining low latency, exceptional signal integrity, and excellent compatibility with Cisco Fibre Channel switches and directors. Organizations that require dependable storage networking, virtualization support, cloud infrastructure, disaster recovery, and mission-critical application performance frequently rely on this transceiver to ensure uninterrupted communication between storage devices, servers, and networking equipment.

Supporting 16Gbps Fibre Channel communication with backward compatibility for lower Fibre Channel speeds, the Cisco DS-SFP-FC16G-SW= provides outstanding flexibility for organizations that operate mixed-speed storage environments. Its 850nm shortwave laser technology enables data transmission distances of up to 100 meters using OM3 multimode fiber while offering extended reach on higher-grade multimode cabling. Featuring a standard LC duplex connector, this optical transceiver simplifies installation and integrates seamlessly into enterprise storage architectures where consistent throughput and reliability are critical.

Key Features of Cisco DS-SFP-FC16G-SW= Optical Transceiver

High-Speed 16Gbps Fibre Channel Performance

The Cisco DS-SFP-FC16G-SW= is specifically engineered for 16 Gigabit Fibre Channel applications that require stable, high-bandwidth connectivity between storage infrastructure components. High-speed Fibre Channel communication significantly improves storage responsiveness, allowing organizations to support database workloads, virtualization clusters, cloud computing environments, backup operations, and enterprise applications with minimal communication delays.

By delivering full-rate 16Gbps performance, this optical transceiver helps eliminate network bottlenecks while supporting demanding storage workloads across enterprise SAN infrastructures. Faster communication between storage arrays and servers contributes to improved application performance and increased operational efficiency.

850nm Shortwave Laser Technology

The module utilizes an 850nm Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL), an industry-standard technology recognized for efficient multimode fiber transmission. Shortwave optics provide excellent performance for short-distance enterprise deployments where high bandwidth and low latency are essential. The VCSEL design offers stable optical output while reducing power consumption compared to many legacy optical technologies.

Support for Multimode Fiber Infrastructure

The Cisco DS-SFP-FC16G-SW= is optimized for multimode fiber cabling commonly deployed in enterprise campuses, corporate data centers, and server rooms. Organizations with existing OM3 or OM4 multimode fiber infrastructure can upgrade storage network speeds without replacing their entire cabling system, making the transition to 16Gbps Fibre Channel cost-effective and straightforward.

Standard LC Duplex Connector

The transceiver features a compact LC duplex connector that has become the standard optical interface across enterprise Fibre Channel networks. LC connectors provide secure optical alignment, low insertion loss, and simplified cable management while enabling high-density switch deployments in modern data centers.

Hot-Swappable Design

Administrators can install or replace the Cisco DS-SFP-FC16G-SW= without shutting down switches or disrupting network operations. The hot-swappable architecture minimizes maintenance windows, simplifies hardware upgrades, and reduces operational downtime for mission-critical enterprise environments.

Technical Specifications

Optical Characteristics

Transmission Speed

The module supports 16 Gigabit Fibre Channel transmission while maintaining compatibility with lower Fibre Channel operating speeds, enabling gradual infrastructure upgrades without requiring complete network replacement.

Optical Wavelength

The Cisco DS-SFP-FC16G-SW= operates at an optical wavelength of 850nm, making it ideal for multimode fiber communication over short distances inside enterprise facilities.

Maximum Distance

Using OM3 multimode fiber, the transceiver supports transmission distances up to 100 meters. Depending on fiber quality and network design, greater distances may be achieved when utilizing OM4 multimode fiber.

Fiber Type

This SFP+ module is intended for multimode fiber installations and is optimized for enterprise storage networking applications requiring dependable short-range optical communication.

Physical Characteristics

Compact SFP+ Form Factor

The Small Form-Factor Pluggable Plus design enables high port density on Cisco Fibre Channel switches, allowing organizations to maximize rack space efficiency while supporting large-scale SAN deployments.

LC Connector Interface

The integrated LC duplex connector provides secure fiber connectivity while supporting standard enterprise fiber patch panels and structured cabling systems.

Hot-Pluggable Operation

Field replacement can be completed without powering off networking equipment, improving service availability and simplifying ongoing infrastructure maintenance.

Enterprise Storage Networking Applications

Storage Area Networks

One of the primary applications for the Cisco DS-SFP-FC16G-SW= is within enterprise Storage Area Networks. Fibre Channel remains one of the most reliable technologies for storage communication because of its dedicated architecture, predictable latency, and exceptional throughput.

The transceiver enables stable communication between Fibre Channel switches, storage arrays, blade servers, rack servers, and backup appliances while maintaining high levels of performance across demanding storage workloads.

Data Center Infrastructure

Modern data centers require consistent storage communication capable of supporting thousands of simultaneous transactions. The Cisco DS-SFP-FC16G-SW= helps maintain uninterrupted connectivity between computing resources and centralized storage platforms while supporting virtualization, cloud services, and enterprise databases.

Virtualized Environments

Virtual machine clusters generate substantial storage traffic because multiple virtual servers share centralized storage resources. High-performance Fibre Channel transceivers reduce storage latency while supporting efficient VM migration, workload balancing, and resource allocation.

Cloud Infrastructure

Private cloud environments depend on fast, reliable storage communication to support virtualized applications, orchestration platforms, and software-defined infrastructure. The Cisco DS-SFP-FC16G-SW= contributes to consistent cloud performance by providing dependable Fibre Channel connectivity between storage and compute platforms.

Database Servers

Mission-critical databases require extremely low storage latency. Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, SAP HANA, PostgreSQL, and numerous enterprise database platforms benefit from dedicated Fibre Channel storage connectivity made possible through high-quality optical transceivers like the Cisco DS-SFP-FC16G-SW=.

Benefits of 16Gbps Fibre Channel Connectivity

Improved Storage Throughput

Higher bandwidth allows storage devices to exchange larger volumes of information more efficiently. This results in reduced application response times, faster database queries, accelerated backups, and improved user experiences across enterprise applications.

Lower Latency

Dedicated Fibre Channel communication minimizes congestion commonly associated with shared Ethernet networks. Reduced latency improves storage responsiveness, especially for transactional databases and real-time enterprise applications.

Reliable Data Transmission

Enterprise storage environments require consistent communication with minimal packet loss or transmission errors. Cisco optical transceivers are engineered to maintain signal quality throughout extended periods of continuous operation.

Scalable Infrastructure

Organizations can expand Fibre Channel networks incrementally by adding switches, storage systems, and servers while maintaining compatibility with existing infrastructure. The Cisco DS-SFP-FC16G-SW= supports scalable SAN growth without introducing unnecessary complexity.

Compatibility with Cisco Infrastructure

Cisco Fibre Channel Switches

The Cisco DS-SFP-FC16G-SW= is engineered specifically for Cisco Fibre Channel switches deployed within enterprise SAN environments. Using Cisco-qualified optical modules ensures optimal interoperability, consistent firmware support, and dependable long-term operation.

Cisco MDS Storage Networking Platforms

Many enterprise storage deployments utilize Cisco MDS switches for SAN connectivity. The DS-SFP-FC16G-SW= integrates seamlessly into these environments while maintaining the reliability expected from Cisco-certified networking hardware.

Director-Class Switches

Large enterprise data centers often deploy director-class Fibre Channel switches that require high-density optical interfaces. The compact SFP+ form factor allows administrators to maximize available switch ports without sacrificing performance.

Advantages of Cisco Original Optical Modules

Extensive Quality Testing

Cisco validates every qualified optical transceiver through rigorous compatibility and performance testing. These tests evaluate signal integrity, thermal stability, interoperability, optical power levels, and long-term operational reliability.

Reliable Firmware Compatibility

Original Cisco optics are designed to work seamlessly with Cisco operating systems, reducing compatibility concerns that sometimes arise with unsupported third-party modules.

Consistent Optical Performance

Enterprise environments benefit from predictable optical characteristics, ensuring stable communication under varying workloads and environmental conditions.

Deployment Scenarios

Enterprise Data Centers

Large organizations operate centralized storage infrastructures supporting business applications, ERP systems, virtualization clusters, and cloud platforms. Cisco DS-SFP-FC16G-SW= modules provide the reliable optical connectivity necessary for these environments.

Financial Institutions

Banks, insurance companies, investment firms, and financial service providers process enormous volumes of transactional data requiring dependable storage communication. Fibre Channel infrastructure minimizes latency while supporting continuous system availability.

Healthcare Organizations

Hospitals and healthcare providers rely on electronic medical records, diagnostic imaging, laboratory systems, and patient management applications. Reliable storage networking helps ensure critical healthcare information remains accessible around the clock.

Government Infrastructure

Government agencies frequently deploy Fibre Channel storage networks for secure document management, archival systems, public services, and internal enterprise applications requiring dependable storage connectivity.

Educational Institutions

Universities, colleges, and research organizations utilize enterprise storage to support research computing, virtual learning environments, student information systems, and high-performance computing workloads.