After learning more about a variety basic or conclusive knowledge of transceiver modules these days, I believe you must have a new understanding or a deeper perception on the transceiver modules. In fact, that’s just a tip of iceberg. My blog will continue to bring more information about the transceiver modules, also the other knowledge of fiber optic communication, network, telecom etc. to all of my friends who like this field and like my blog. Since we discuss so much about the theories of the transceiver modules, today, I prefer to talk about something practicle, for instance, some knowledge about installing or removing different kinds of transceiver modules.
As we know, the commonly used transceivers include the following 8 types:
- GBIC (Gigabit interface converter)
- SFP (small form-factor pluggable)
- SFP+
- XENPAK
- X2
- XFP
- QSFP/QSFP+ (Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable Plus (QSFP+) )
- CFP (C Form-Factor Pluggable)
The following content will cover the knowledge of installing or removing for these types of transceiver modules, namely today’s main topic. But first of all, I want to talk about some preparations and considerations before starting the main topic.
What equipment should we need to install a transceiver module?
When installing a transceiver module, some tools you should need in order to make your installation go well. The following is a list of such tools which are recommended:
- A Wrist strap or similar personal grounding device designed to stop ESD occurrences.
- An Antistatic mat or similar which the transceiver can be placed on.
- Fibre-optic end-face cleaning tools and inspection equipment.
- A flat head screw driver is require to install a XENPAK transceiver module.
What should we need to know before or during installing or removing a transceiver module?
In order to ensure the safety and avoid leading the unnecessary losses, there are some items which we should consider before and during installing and removing the transceiver modules.
- To preventing the cables, connectors, and the optical interfaces from damage. We must disconnect all cables before removing or installing a transceiver module.
- Please be aware that the regular removal and installation a transceiver module can shorten its useful life. Thus, transceivers should not be removed or inserted more often than is required.
- Transceiver modules are sensitive to static, so always ensure that you use an ESD wrist strap or comparable grounding device during both installation and removal.
- Do not remove the dust plug from the transceiver slot if you are not installing the transceiver at this time. Similarly, we must use the dust plug to protect the optical bore if we don’t use the transceivers.
How to Install or Remove Transceiver Modules
1. How to Install or Remove GBIC Transceiver Module
GBIC Installing Steps
step 1: Firstly you should attach your ESD preventive wrist strap to your wrist to prevent ESD occurrences.
step 2: Remove the GBIC transceiver from its protective packaging.
step 3: Verify that the GBIC transceiver module is the correct model for the intended network.
step 4: Using your thumb and forefinger, grip the sides of the GBIC transceiver and carefully align it with the GBIC socket opening on the device.
step 5: You can now carefully insert the GBIC transceiver module through the socket flap and slide it into the GBIC socket. A click will be heard once the GBIC is locked into the socket. Please ensure that the GBIC is inserted carefully straight into the socket.
(Please note: you should keep the protective dust plugs in place until making a connection. You should also inspect and clean the SC connector end faces immediately prior to making a connection.)
step 6: The dust plugs from the network interface cable SC connectors can now be removed, ensuring that these are saved for later use.
step 7: Next, inspect and clean the SC connector’s fiber optic end faces.
step 8: Remove the dust plugs from the optical bores on the GBIC transceiver module.
step 9: You can now attach the network interface cable SC connector to the GBIC.
GBIC Removing Steps
Please be aware that GBIC transceiver modules are static sensitive so you should always use an ESD wrist strap or similar grounding device when coming into contact with the device. Transceiver modules can also reach high temperatures so may be too hot to be removed with bare hands.
step 1: Disconnect the cable from the GBIC connector.
step 2: Release the GBIC from the slot by pressing the two plastic tabs located on either side of the GBIC (They must be pressed at the same time).
step 3: Once released carefully slide the GBIC straight out of its module slot.
step 4: The GBIC transceiver module should now be placed safely into an antistatic bag.
2. How to Install or Remove SFP Transceiver Module
SFP/SFP+ Installing Steps
SFP modules can have 3 different types of latching devices which secure the SFP into the module socket, so please determine which latching device your module has before installation or removal of the device.
step 1: Firstly you should attach your ESD preventive wrist strap to your wrist as well as to the ESD ground connector. A metal surface on your chassis is also acceptable.
step 2: Next, remove the SFP transceiver module from its packaging.
(Please note: You shouldn’t remove the optical bore dust plugs yet.)
step 3: Check the SFP transceiver to ensure that it is the correct model for the network
step 4: Locate the send (TX) and receive (RX) markings. These will allow you to identify the top of the SFP transceiver module.
(Please note: Certain SFP transceiver modules may represent the TX and RX marking with arrowheads. The direction of these will allow you to determine the send and receive.)
Pointing from the SFP transceiver module connector = Transmit/TX
Pointing toward the connector = Receive/RX
step 5: Align the SFP transceiver module with the module port.
(Please Note: Devices can have different SFP module socket configurations. It is possible to have either a latch-up or a latch-down orientation. Firstly make sure that you are installing an SFP transceiver module with the correct latch orientation for your device.)
step 6: Insert the SFP Transceiver Module into the socket until you feel the SFP’s connector latch into place. Ensure that you press the SFP firmly into the slot using your thumb.
(Please note: For those SFP transceiver modules which have an actuator latch, you must press on both the transceiver faceplate and the actuator button to ensure that the transceiver is correctly connected.)
step 7: Verify the SFP transceiver module installation. Attempt to remove the SFP without releasing the latch, if it cannot be removed then it is correctly seated. If it can be removed reinsert the SFP and press harder with your thumb, until you can verify that it is correctly seated.
step 8: You can now remove the dust plugs from the network interface cable LC connectors. You should save the dust plugs for future use.
step 9: Inspect and clean the fibre-optic end-faces on the LC connector.
step 10: You can now remove the dust plugs from the SFP transceiver module’s optical bores. As soon as this has been completed you must attach the network interface cable LC connector to the SFP.
(Please note: If you are connecting a 1000BASE-T SFP transceiver module to a copper network you should firstly insert the Category 5 network cable RJ-45 connector into the SFP transceiver module RJ-45 connector. Then Insert the other end of the network cable into an RJ-45 connector on a 1000BASE-T-compatible target device.)
step 11: Check the port status LED, if it turns green the SFP transceiver module has established a link with the target device. If the LED is off please ensure that the target device is powered on before troubleshooting. The LED will turn amber for approximately 30 seconds prior to turning green.
step 12: Reconfigure and reboot the target device if required.
SFP/SFP+ Removing Steps
Please be aware that SFP transceiver modules are static sensitive so you should always use an ESD wrist strap or similar grounding device when coming into contact with the device. Transceiver modules can also reach high temperatures so may be too hot to be removed with bare hands.
step 1: Attach your ESD wrist strap and the ESD ground connector to a metal surface on the device chassis.
step 2: Next disconnect the network cable from the SFP transceiver module connector. You should then reinstall the dust plugs on the optical bores and fibre optic cable LC connectors.
step 3: Release and remove the SFP transceiver module from the socket connector.
Mylar Tab Latch: for SFPs with a Mylar Tab Latch, you should first pull the tab in a downward direction until the SFP is released from the socket connector. Then the SFP module can be pulled directly out, ensuring not to twist or pull the Mylar tab.
Actuator Button Latch: for SFPs with an Actuator Button Latch, you should gently press the button on the front of the transceiver until it clicks. This should release the SFP transceiver module from the socket connector, following which the SFP transceiver module can be carefully removed from the module slot. This should be done straight, ensuring not to twist or bend the module.
Bail Clasp Latch: For SFPs with a Bail Clasp Latch, the latch should be pulled out and down to eject the SFP transceiver module from its socket.
step 4: The removed SFP transceiver module should now be placed safely in a protective environment such as an antistatic bag.
Warm Tips
About how to install or remove XENPAK, X2, XFP, QSFP/QSFP+ and CFP will be continued in the next blogs. Please focus on my blog update on next Monday.
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