DS-SFP-FC8G-SW= Cisco Original 8 Gbps FC Sfp+ Switching Module

Cisco DS-SFP-FC8G-SW= 8Gb Fibre Channel SFP+ Transceiver

The Cisco DS-SFP-FC8G-SW= is a high-performance 8 Gigabit Fibre Channel SFP+ transceiver engineered to deliver dependable, high-speed optical connectivity for enterprise SAN environments. Designed for seamless integration with compatible Cisco networking and storage devices, this hot-pluggable module supports short-range multimode fiber communication while providing exceptional signal integrity and network reliability.

Main Product Information

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Part Number: DS-SFP-FC8G-SW=
• Product Category: Fibre Channel Transceiver Module
• Form Factor: SFP+ (GBIC-SFP)
• Installation Type: Plug-in, Hot-Pluggable

Technical Specifications

Hardware Details

• Device Type: Fibre Channel SFP+ Transceiver
• Connector: LC Duplex
• Fiber Type: Multimode Fiber (MMF)
• Enclosure: Compact Plug-in Module

Performance Specifications

• Maximum Data Rate: 8.5 Gbps
• Supported Protocol: 8Gb Fibre Channel (Shortwave)
• Operating Wavelength: 850 nm
• Maximum Transmission Distance: Up to 1,640 ft (500 meters)

Physical Dimensions

• Width: 0.6 inches
• Depth: 2.2 inches
• Height: 0.4 inches

Benefits of Multimode Fiber Connectivity

• High-speed optical communication
• Cost-effective infrastructure deployment
• Excellent performance for short-distance connections
• Reliable signal transmission with minimal interference

Compatible Applications

• Enterprise Storage Area Networks (SAN)
• Cisco Fibre Channel switches
• Data center networking
• Server-to-storage connectivity
• Storage virtualization platforms
• Business continuity and disaster recovery solutions

Business Benefits

• High-speed Fibre Channel connectivity
• Trusted Cisco quality and reliability
• Compact SFP+ form factor
• Reduced maintenance through hot-swappable installation
• Ideal for mission-critical storage applications
• Efficient and stable optical network performance

Ideal Deployment Environments

• Enterprise data centers
• Cloud infrastructure
• Large-scale storage networks
• Financial institutions
• Healthcare IT infrastructure
• Government and educational organizations

Product Highlights

• Original Cisco 8Gb Fibre Channel SFP+ optical transceiver
• Designed for high-speed Storage Area Network (SAN) connectivity
• Supports shortwave optical transmission over multimode fiber
• Hot-swappable plug-in design minimizes network downtime
• LC duplex optical connector for secure fiber connections
• Optimized for Cisco Fibre Channel switches and storage infrastructure

Cisco DS-SFP-FC8G-SW= 8-Gbps Fibre Channel Transceiver

The Cisco DS-SFP-FC8G-SW= 8-Gbps Fibre Channel Transceiver Shortwave SFP+ Module is engineered to deliver dependable, high-speed Fibre Channel connectivity for storage networking environments that demand exceptional reliability, low latency, and consistent performance. Designed for enterprise-class Storage Area Networks (SANs), this hot-swappable optical transceiver enables seamless communication between Fibre Channel switches, storage arrays, blade servers, and host bus adapters while maintaining outstanding signal integrity across multimode fiber infrastructure.

Modern data centers rely on highly available storage networks that can handle growing volumes of data without compromising speed or uptime. The Cisco DS-SFP-FC8G-SW= module supports these requirements by providing a robust optical interface optimized for short-distance Fibre Channel deployments. Whether organizations are expanding an existing SAN, replacing aging transceivers, or deploying a completely new storage infrastructure, this Cisco-compatible optical module offers the performance and interoperability required in demanding enterprise environments.

The module operates using shortwave laser technology and is specifically intended for multimode fiber applications. Its Small Form-Factor Pluggable Plus (SFP+) design allows administrators to install or replace the module without shutting down network equipment, reducing maintenance windows and minimizing operational disruption. This hot-pluggable architecture simplifies upgrades while supporting continuous business operations.

Designed for Enterprise Fibre Channel Storage Networks

Enterprise storage environments require hardware capable of supporting mission-critical applications, virtualization platforms, backup infrastructures, disaster recovery systems, and database workloads. The Cisco DS-SFP-FC8G-SW= has been developed specifically for Fibre Channel networking, ensuring dependable communication between storage devices and servers operating in high-performance environments.

Unlike standard Ethernet optics, Fibre Channel transceivers are optimized for storage traffic, providing deterministic performance with exceptionally low latency. This makes them suitable for applications where data consistency, storage throughput, and uninterrupted connectivity are essential.

Purpose-Built for Storage Connectivity

The DS-SFP-FC8G-SW= focuses exclusively on Fibre Channel communications rather than general-purpose networking. This specialization allows storage administrators to build highly efficient SAN fabrics capable of supporting intensive read and write operations while maintaining stable communication between storage targets and hosts.

Reliable SAN Infrastructure Expansion

Organizations frequently expand their storage infrastructure as data requirements increase. The Cisco DS-SFP-FC8G-SW= simplifies this process by providing standardized optical connectivity that integrates seamlessly into existing Fibre Channel environments. Its compatibility with Cisco storage networking equipment enables predictable deployment across new and existing installations.

Key Features of Cisco DS-SFP-FC8G-SW=

8-Gbps Fibre Channel Performance

The module supports data transmission speeds of up to 8 Gbps, providing sufficient bandwidth for demanding storage workloads including virtualization clusters, enterprise databases, backup appliances, cloud infrastructure, and high-performance storage arrays.

Shortwave Optical Technology

Shortwave laser technology provides excellent performance over multimode fiber cabling commonly installed within enterprise data centers. This makes the module suitable for rack-to-rack connections, row-to-row deployments, and inter-switch links inside facilities.

SFP+ Form Factor

The compact SFP+ design enables higher port density on Fibre Channel switches while simplifying cable management. Network administrators can maximize switch capacity without increasing rack space requirements.

Hot-Pluggable Installation

The hot-swappable architecture allows modules to be installed or replaced without shutting down the connected switch or storage equipment. This feature reduces service interruptions during maintenance and simplifies hardware replacement procedures.

Digital Optical Monitoring Support

Digital diagnostics enable administrators to monitor critical optical parameters including transmit power, receive power, temperature, supply voltage, and laser bias current. These monitoring capabilities help identify developing issues before they impact storage availability.

Technical Characteristics

Optical Interface

The Cisco DS-SFP-FC8G-SW= utilizes precision optical components designed for consistent signal transmission. High-quality laser emitters and optical receivers maintain dependable communication across supported fiber distances while minimizing transmission errors.

Multimode Fiber Compatibility

The transceiver is intended for deployment with multimode optical fiber cabling. Existing enterprise cabling infrastructures frequently utilize OM2, OM3, or OM4 multimode fiber, making this module suitable for a wide variety of data center deployments.

LC Duplex Connector

The module uses a standard LC duplex optical connector, one of the most widely adopted interfaces in enterprise networking and storage environments. The compact connector simplifies cable routing while supporting high-density switch installations.

Storage Networking Optimization

Unlike Ethernet optics designed for packet-based networking, Fibre Channel optics prioritize storage communication characteristics including predictable latency, consistent throughput, and reliable frame delivery.

Benefits of Deploying Cisco DS-SFP-FC8G-SW=

Improved Storage Performance

High-speed Fibre Channel connectivity enables storage devices and servers to exchange data efficiently, improving application responsiveness while supporting intensive workloads.

Reduced Network Bottlenecks

Reliable optical transmission minimizes congestion within SAN environments by providing stable bandwidth between switches, storage controllers, and server adapters.

Enhanced Business Continuity

Reliable Fibre Channel infrastructure contributes directly to overall business continuity by maintaining dependable storage communication for mission-critical applications.

Long-Term Infrastructure Investment

Enterprise optical transceivers are designed for continuous operation, allowing organizations to build scalable SAN environments capable of supporting future storage expansion.

Applications Across Enterprise Environments

Storage Area Networks (SAN)

The primary application of the Cisco DS-SFP-FC8G-SW= is enterprise SAN connectivity. Fibre Channel remains one of the preferred technologies for organizations requiring high-performance storage communication with predictable latency and dependable throughput.

Data Centers

Modern data centers rely on Fibre Channel fabrics to connect servers, storage arrays, and backup appliances. The module provides dependable optical links that support around-the-clock operations.

Virtualization Platforms

Virtualized infrastructures frequently depend on centralized shared storage. Reliable Fibre Channel connectivity ensures consistent storage access for virtual machines while supporting workload mobility and high availability.

Cloud Infrastructure

Private cloud environments often require scalable storage networks capable of supporting numerous virtualized resources. The Cisco DS-SFP-FC8G-SW= contributes to efficient storage connectivity within cloud-ready infrastructures.

Disaster Recovery

Organizations implementing disaster recovery strategies require dependable storage replication and backup connectivity. Fibre Channel infrastructure helps maintain consistent communication between production and recovery storage systems.