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Signal-converting units that can be readily plugged and detached from an information network’s routers, switches, and other hub devices are labeled hot-swappable transceivers. Instead of transceivers which are permanently attached to hubs, these are modular. A wide assortment of hot-swappable transceiver modules for linking connectors and hubs is available on the market. Not only do these modules link hubs with both fiber-optic connectors and electrical wire, but with distinct types of these media like Fibre Channel, Gigabit Ethernet, and SONET.
Out of the many hot-swappable transceivers that one can purchase are Cisco SFP Transceivers. The Cisco corporation’s moniker is included in the name for these devices, as such devices are specifically made for ideal compatibility with the practically industry-standard Cisco hub products. Because there are numerous different types of network protocols out there (a few of which were enumerated earlier), there are various corresponding SFP transceivers that interface hub devices with them. The SFP format is widely used in the networking industry today, and is a very good choice for transmitting and accepting data over a variety of network protocols. The small size of one such interface permits it to take up a comparatively small amount of space along the edge of a network device motherboard, crucial for many transceivers to be hooked up at once. A lesser number of transceivers of the associated GBIC protocol can be joined to a compatible hub at a time, as the interfaces for that kind of transceiver are noticeably larger.
Xenpak modules work with a competing hot-swappable technology. Since Xenpak was designed with maximal 10 Gigabit Ethernet compatibility as the goal, it is less adaptable than a format such as SFP.
The particular subtype of transceiver used in a certain location is of course reliant upon the wiring and hub device there. When making use of hubs with hot-swappable format interfacing, though, a network builder will have excellent flexibility concerning the network construction. For example, you may have determined that your network will rely on SFP format transceiver-hub combos, but are unaware of which specific connection protocols will be laid down at a given location. One SFP transceiver that interfaces properly can easily be swapped in if protocols for a certain portion of the network change. Frequent hardware revisions are a requirement for some networks and their operation, and so this sort of setup is advantageous in such scenarios. Utilizing hubs with soldered-in transceivers for such networks is a bad idea, as that would mean that costly new hubs have to be procured with every set of network wiring changes.
Hot-swappable transceivers and related technology provide the utmost in network flexibility. Any network’s demands can be easily accommodated with all the varied hot-swappable transceivers offered.