SFP Module Care and Use

"Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) is a compact, hot-pluggable network interface module format used for both telecommunication and data communications applications. An SFP interface on networking hardware is a modular slot for a media-specific transceiver, such as for a fibre-optic cable or a copper cable."

To keep your SFP slots, modules and DAC cables in best working order we recommend that you:

• Use dust covers for unused SFP slots.
• Use dust plugs and covers for unused SFP modules and DAC cables.
• Clean fibre SFP modules with pen cleaners before connecting cables.
• Handle modules with care, avoiding metal tools during installation or removal.
• Wear an ESD wrist strap or gloves when handling SFP modules.

If you are using Fibre Optic Cables with your SFP module please observe the following points before and during installation as well as when the device is in use:

• Do not bend the fibre optic cable beyond its minimum bend radius (MBR). The MBR can be expressed by multiplying 10 by the diameter of the fibre optic cable with the cable not in tension.
• Do not use force or rock the connector from side-to-side or up and down to remove the connector because this action can damage the socket.
• Do not pull the cables using a mechanical device. If you need to pull a cable, pull the cable manually.
• Do not pull the cables tight when dressing the cables. Leave some slack in the cables.
• Do not use tie wraps or any other crimping style of wrap on high speed cables (optical or copper) because they can crimp the cable insulation and cause data transmission problems. Consider using Velcro strips to tie cables.
• Do not push or step on a fibre optic cable or fibre optic connector.
• Do not set any hardware components or other objects on top of the cables.
• Do not let the cables get pinched by closed doors or by door lock hardware.
• Do not twist the cable to secure the ends.
• Do not wrap the fibre optic cables around your hands, your arms, or your shoulders, which can cause sharp bends or a small coiling radius.
• Use both hands to disconnect the connector in a module. Do not disturb or deflect other plugs or cables during the removal operation.

It is also important when planning your setup that although many of our products provide POE/POH there is not currently any way of providing Power over Fibre-Optic Cable. If you are using this with a OneIP Pro Transceiver please ensure that you have a way of powering the transceiver.