XBR-000164 Brocade SFP+ 8.5 GBPS GBIC-SFP SW Transceiver Module

Brocade SFP+ 8.5GBPS GBIC-SFP SW Transceiver

The Brocade XBR-000164 is a high-performance SFP+ transceiver module engineered for 8.5 Gbps Fibre Channel connectivity. This pluggable device offers multi-rate compatibility, ultra-low power consumption, and advanced diagnostic monitoring, making it ideal for enterprise servers and storage networks.

General Information

• Manufacturer: Brocade
• Part Number: XBR-000164
• Device Type: Transceiver

Technical Specifications

• Pluggable SFP+ design
• 8Gb Fibre Channel
• Multi-rated at 8.5 Gbps
• Backward compatible with 4.25 Gbps
• Backward compatible with 2.125 Gbps

Optical Wavelength

• 850 nm
• Multi-Mode Fiber

Maximum Link Distance

• Up to 150m over OM4 MMF
• Up to 300m over OM3 MMF

Connector Interface

• Duplex LC

Performance and Monitoring

• Digital Optical Monitoring (DOM / DDMI) supported
• Real-time telemetry for performance tracking

Power Requirements

• Voltage: 3.3 V
• Consumption: Ultra-low operational requirement (< 1 Watt)

Operating Conditions

• Temperature Range: 0°C to 70°C (Commercial grade)

Compliance and Standards

• Fully compliant with SFP+ MSA
• Meets SFF-8432 standards

Key Benefits

• High-speed 8.5 Gbps Fibre Channel connectivity
• Backward compatibility with multiple data rates
• Energy-efficient with ultra-low power usage
• Advanced diagnostics for real-time monitoring
• Compact pluggable design for easy deployment

Brocade XBR-000164 SFP+ 8.5GBPS Transceiver Overview

The Brocade XBR-000164 SFP+ 8.5 Gbps GBIC-SFP Fibre Channel Short Wave Transceiver Module represents a critical component in modern high-speed storage networking environments, delivering reliable optical connectivity designed for Fibre Channel SAN infrastructures. Built to support demanding enterprise data center workloads, this transceiver module is engineered for consistent performance, low latency transmission, and robust interoperability with Brocade switching platforms and compatible Fibre Channel networking equipment.

As storage environments continue to evolve toward higher bandwidth and lower latency requirements, the Brocade XBR-000164 8.5 Gbps SFP+ module plays a central role in maintaining seamless communication between storage arrays, servers, and SAN switches. Its Short Wave (SW) optical design enables efficient short-distance data transmission across multimode fiber optic cabling, making it suitable for dense rack deployments and intra-data-center connectivity scenarios.

Core Design Philosophy of Brocade XBR-000164 Transceiver

The Brocade XBR-000164 GBIC-SFP Fibre Channel transceiver is purpose-built to align with Fibre Channel protocol requirements, ensuring stable and predictable data transfer rates up to 8.5 Gbps. This level of throughput supports high-performance storage operations such as database replication, virtualization workloads, cloud storage traffic, and mission-critical enterprise backup systems.

Compact SFP+ Form Factor Engineering

Designed in a compact SFP+ form factor, the module ensures high-density port deployment within storage switches and directors. This compact architecture enables data center operators to maximize port utilization while maintaining efficient airflow and thermal management across networking hardware environments.

Short Wave Optical Transmission Technology

The Short Wave optical technology used in the Brocade XBR-000164 module leverages multimode fiber to deliver reliable transmission over short distances, typically within a data center or campus environment. This makes it ideal for top-of-rack switching, aggregation layers, and storage array interconnectivity.

Fibre Channel Networking Capabilities and Characteristics

High-Speed Data Transmission at 8.5 Gbps

The defining characteristic of the Brocade XBR-000164 SFP+ Fibre Channel transceiver is its ability to support 8.5 Gbps data transfer rates, enabling high-throughput storage networking operations. This bandwidth is essential for environments that rely on rapid data access and continuous availability, including enterprise virtualization clusters and large-scale database systems.

Low Latency Communication Architecture

Latency reduction is a fundamental requirement in Fibre Channel SAN environments. The Brocade XBR-000164 module minimizes signal delay through optimized optical signal conversion and efficient serialization processes. This ensures that storage traffic flows with minimal interruption, supporting time-sensitive applications such as real-time analytics and transactional databases.

Signal Integrity and Error Minimization

Signal integrity is maintained through advanced optical transceiver design, reducing bit error rates and improving overall network stability. The module’s internal calibration mechanisms help preserve consistent optical performance even under heavy network loads, ensuring reliability in mission-critical deployments.

Compatibility and Integration in SAN Environments

Seamless Integration with Brocade Switch Platforms

The Brocade XBR-000164 SFP+ 8.5 Gbps GBIC-SFP Fibre Channel Short Wave Transceiver Module is engineered for native compatibility with Brocade Fibre Channel switches and directors. This ensures seamless interoperability across SAN fabric architectures, enabling administrators to deploy the module without extensive configuration overhead.

Interoperability with Multivendor Storage Ecosystems

Beyond Brocade-native environments, the transceiver is also widely used in heterogeneous storage networks where interoperability between different storage vendors and networking equipment is required. This flexibility supports enterprise IT strategies that rely on hybrid infrastructure models.

Support for Legacy and Modern SAN Deployments

The 8.5 Gbps Fibre Channel standard allows the Brocade XBR-000164 module to operate in environments where legacy infrastructure coexists with modern high-speed storage systems. This backward compatibility ensures investment protection and gradual migration to newer technologies without disrupting existing operations.

Physical Architecture and Optical Design

Short Wave Laser Technology Implementation

At the core of the Brocade XBR-000164 transceiver module is its Short Wave laser technology, designed specifically for multimode fiber operation. This optical configuration allows efficient transmission over shorter distances while maintaining high data integrity and minimal signal degradation.

Multimode Fiber Optimization

The module is optimized for use with multimode fiber cabling, commonly deployed in enterprise data centers. This ensures cost-effective infrastructure deployment while maintaining high-speed connectivity between storage devices and switching hardware.

Robust Industrial-Grade Construction

Built for enterprise reliability, the module features industrial-grade components that withstand continuous operation in high-temperature and high-density environments. Its physical build supports long-term deployment in mission-critical systems without performance degradation.

Use Cases in Enterprise Storage Networking

Storage Area Network (SAN) Fabric Deployment

The Brocade XBR-000164 SFP+ Fibre Channel transceiver is widely deployed in SAN fabric architectures where high-speed and low-latency connectivity is essential. It supports communication between storage arrays, backup systems, and application servers within structured storage networks.

Virtualized Data Center Environments

In virtualized infrastructures, the module enables efficient storage traffic handling between hypervisors and centralized storage systems. This ensures smooth virtual machine migration, high availability, and balanced workload distribution across compute clusters.

High-Performance Computing Clusters

High-performance computing environments rely heavily on rapid data exchange between compute nodes and storage systems. The Brocade XBR-000164 module supports these environments by delivering consistent high-bandwidth connectivity across distributed architectures.

Enterprise Backup and Disaster Recovery Systems

Backup and disaster recovery solutions benefit from the module’s reliable throughput and stable optical performance. It ensures fast data replication across geographically distributed storage systems, improving business continuity capabilities.

Performance Optimization in Data Center Infrastructure

Bandwidth Utilization Efficiency

The Brocade XBR-000164 module ensures optimal bandwidth utilization within Fibre Channel networks. Its efficient optical signaling enables consistent data throughput, even under peak traffic conditions, reducing bottlenecks in storage communication pathways.

Thermal Efficiency in High-Density Environments

Designed for modern high-density switching environments, the module maintains low thermal output, contributing to improved airflow and reduced cooling demands within data center racks. This enhances overall infrastructure efficiency and reduces operational costs.

Power Consumption Optimization

Energy efficiency is a key design consideration, and the module is engineered to operate with minimal power draw while maintaining high-performance output. This supports sustainable data center operations and aligns with green IT initiatives.

Installation and Deployment Considerations

Plug-and-Play Integration

The Brocade XBR-000164 SFP+ Fibre Channel transceiver supports plug-and-play deployment in compatible switch ports, allowing for rapid installation without complex configuration steps. This simplifies provisioning processes in enterprise SAN environments.

Fiber Cabling Requirements

Proper deployment requires multimode fiber cabling that matches Short Wave optical specifications. Ensuring correct cabling standards is essential for maintaining signal integrity and achieving optimal transmission distances within the data center environment.

Port Density Planning

When deploying multiple modules across SAN switches, administrators must consider port density and airflow management. The compact SFP+ design of the Brocade XBR-000164 allows for high-density configurations without compromising system stability.

Role in Modern Digital Infrastructure

Foundation for Scalable Storage Networks

As organizations scale their digital infrastructure, reliable storage networking becomes essential. The Brocade XBR-000164 module serves as a foundational component for building scalable Fibre Channel SAN architectures capable of handling increasing data workloads.

Support for Cloud-Integrated Storage Systems

In hybrid cloud environments, the module supports consistent connectivity between on-premises storage systems and cloud-integrated infrastructure layers, ensuring smooth data mobility and synchronization.

Enabling High Availability Architectures

High availability systems depend on redundant and stable networking components. The Brocade XBR-000164 contributes to these architectures by providing dependable optical links that reduce the risk of connectivity failures.

Characteristics and Engineering Excellence

Precision Optical Alignment Systems

The internal optical alignment system ensures precise signal transmission and reception, minimizing loss and maintaining consistent data quality across fiber links.

Advanced Transceiver Calibration

Each module is calibrated to ensure consistent performance across production units, supporting predictable behavior in large-scale deployments.

Enterprise-Grade Manufacturing Standards

Manufactured under strict quality control processes, the Brocade XBR-000164 SFP+ Fibre Channel Short Wave Transceiver Module meets enterprise-grade reliability standards required for mission-critical environments.

Operational Advantages in Storage Networking Infrastructure

Reduced Network Bottlenecks

By maintaining consistent 8.5 Gbps throughput, the module reduces congestion points in storage networks, improving overall system responsiveness.

Improved Data Access Speed

Faster data access is achieved through high-speed optical transmission, enabling applications to retrieve and store data efficiently across SAN environments.

Enhanced Infrastructure Scalability

The modular design allows IT administrators to scale storage networks incrementally, adding capacity as needed without redesigning existing infrastructure.

Reliable Long-Distance Data Synchronization

Within its Short Wave operational range, the module supports reliable synchronization between storage systems, ensuring data consistency across nodes.