GLC-LH-SM vs SFP-GE-L: What’s the Difference?

SFP-GLC-LH-SM and SFP-GE-L are two Cisco 1000BASE-LX/LH Ethernet transceivers. Due to the similar mode and performance such as supporting distance and working wavelength, users are often confused with Cisco GLC-LH-SM and SFP-GE-L when they are choosing these SFP modules. Then, what’s the difference between the two transceivers? This post intends to give a simple explanation of GLC-LH-SM vs SFP-GE-L.

GLC-LH-SM vs SFP-GE-L

Specifications of GLC-LH-SM and SFP-GE-L
GLC-LH-SM SFP Module

Cisco GLC-LH-SM is a hot-swappable optical transceiver that supports the maximum data rate of 1Gbps. It’s compatible with the IEEE 802.3z 1000BASE-LX standard, and can operate on standard single-mode fiber optic link spans of up to 10 km and up to 550 m on any multimode fibers.

Modules Interface Wavelength Tx power Receiver Sensitivity DOM Support Temperature Range
Cisco GLC-LH-SM LC duplex 1310nm -9.5 ~ -3dBm < -23dBm No 32℉to 158℉
(0℃ to 70℃)
SFP-GE-L SFP Module

SFP-GE-L transceiver has many similarities with GLC-LH-SM transceiver. It is also a Cisco 1000BASE-LX/LH Ethernet transceiver that designed for Gigabit Ethernet applications. This 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP, compatible with the IEEE 802.3z 1000BASE-LX standard, and can operate on standard single-mode fiber optic link spans of up to 10 km and up to 550 m on any multimode fibers.

Modules Interface Wavelength Tx power Receiver Sensitivity DOM Support Temperature Range
Cisco SFP-GE-L LC duplex 1310nm -9.5 ~ -3dBm < -23dBm Yes 23℉ to 185℉(-5℃ to 85℃)

Notes: no matter GLC-LH-SM or SFP-GE-L modules, mode conditioning patch cables are required when they are used for 1000BASE-LX/LH applications over FDDI-grade, OM1, and OM2 fiber cables.

GLC-LH-SM vs SFP-GE-L: What’s the Difference?

From the Cisco official notes, Cisco original GLC-LH-SM SFP and SFP-GE-L transceiver have been no longer for sale since March 8, 2013. But this doesn’t affect the market of these two SFP modules. Many users still choose to use them. As mentioned above, GLC-LH-SM and SFP-GE-L are easy to be confused. In fact, it’s not difficult to tell from them.

The first big difference between the two SFP modules is SFP-GE-L SFP supports DOM (digital optical monitoring) while GLC-LH-SM module doesn’t. DOM is an important function available on fiber optic transceiver. It allows users to monitor parameters of modules, such as optical output power, optical input power, temperature, laser bias current, and transceiver supply voltage, in real time, offering users more convenience when using optical modules. Another difference is the operating temperature range. The temperature range of Cisco GLC-LH-SM SFP is 32℉to 158℉(0℃ to 70℃), while the extended operating temperature range of SFP-GE-L module is 23℉ to 185℉ (-5℃ to 85℃).

GLC-LH-SM vs SFP-GE-L: Which One to Select?

From the contents above—GLC-LH-SM vs SFP-GE-L, we can draw a conclusion that both of them can be used as the same one type module sometimes, but their existing differences still differ them from some applications. For example, the WS-SUP32-8GE-3B does not support DOM SFP modules like the SFP-GE-L while supporting GLC-LH-SM SFP. Therefore, buying the suitable one for your devices when choosing from the two modules. As noted above, these two modules are end-of-sale in 2013. However, FS provides these two modules at a cheap price. And other types of compatible optical transceivers such as GLC-LH-SMD are available too. Every optic module in FS is 100% tested to ensure fully compatible. More details, please visit www.fs.com.

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A Quick Overview of Cisco GLC-LH-SM SFP Module

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