Gigabit Interface Converter

The English term Gigabit Interface Converter ( GBIC) denotes a modular interface to support different transmission media and is used in the network technology to improve the flexibility of interfaces.

When a GBIC is a matchbox big module that is inserted into an electrical interface to convert this for example in an optical interface. Using GBIC, the type of the transmitted signal to be adapted to the needs of the transmission.

GBICs are often found in the range of backbone networks or SANs. The interface card of the host or the central distribution (such as the switch) put their interface is not rigid, but flexible available.

In the field of computer networks can be as a GBIC interface flexibly operated as Gigabit Ethernet over twisted - pair cables or fiber optic cables without having to replace usual as before the interface card of the system.

Interface types

  • SX ( 500 m range at 50/125er fiber, 220 m at 62,5 / 125 fiber)
  • LX (10 km range at 9/125er fiber)
  • LH ( X ) (40 km range at 9/125er fiber)
  • ZX (80 km range at 9/125er fiber)
  • BX (10 km range at 9/125er fiber)
  • T ( " copper " 100 m range from Cat-5 UTP cable )
  • CWDM
  • DWDM
  • SONET ( OC48 or OC192 as )

Developments

The idea of new designs emerged from the need to accommodate more connections on the same area and so several other types of interfaces and form factors for hot-swappable transceiver in Ethernet and storage area are located next GBIC established:

  • SFP ( Small Form- factor Pluggable, as a mini -GBIC, SFF GBIC, GLC or " New GBIC " or "Next Generation GBIC ") is
  • SFP ( SFP Plus also, currently the smallest pluggable transceiver format for 10 Gigabit Ethernet and 8 or 10 Gigabit Fibre Channel applications)
  • XFP (such as SFP established, but larger and for 10GbE )
  • XENPAK ( 10GbE )
  • X2 (successor of XENPAK )
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