X2 Transceiver Module Overview

In computer networking, we know that 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GE or 10GbE) refers to various technologies for transmitting Ethernet frames at a rate of 10 gigabits per second, first defined by the IEEE 802.3ae-2002 standard. To meet a wide variety of 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity needs, there are many options. SFP+, XENPAK, X2 and XFP transceivers are four mainly defined optical transceiver types for 10 Gigabit Ethernet deployments. In this post, a brief introduction to X2 transceiver module will be shown.

What Is X2 Transceiver Module?

X2 transceiver module is a type of 10 Gigabit Ethernet optical transceiver. Its development was based on former XENPAK standards. The inner function of X2 10Gbit/s transceiver is almost similar with XENPAK so that we also can use X2 transceiver to fulfill all 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) optical port function. X2 transceiver is better for density installation for it is only half size of XENPAK transceivers. Its electrical interface for that host board can also be standardized and it is called XAUI (10 Gigabit attachment unit interface) X2 uses the same 70-pin electrical connector as XENPAK and supports implementations of XENPAK's four lane XAUI at both Ethernet (3.125Gbit/s) and/or Fiber Channel (3.1875Gbit/s) rates. X2 will also support serial electrical interfaces as they may emerge in XENPAK, as well as ongoing maintenance. X2 optics are essentially an enhanced version of the XENPAK. It also has the same connector as a XENPAK (SC). A picture of X2 transceiver modules is shown below.

Types of X2 Transceiver Module

X2 transceiver modules are available with a variety of transmitter and receiver types, allowing users to select the appropriate one for each link to provide the required optical reach over the available optical fiber type (e.g. multi-mode fiber or single-mode fiber). X2 transceiver modules are commonly available in several different categories:
SR - 850 nm, for a maximum of 300 m
LR - 1310 nm, for distances up to 10 km
ER - 1550 nm, for distances up to 40 km
ZR - 1550 nm, for distances up to 80 km

The 10GB X2 fiber optic transceivers series include X2-10GB-SR, X2-10GB-LR, X2-10GB-ER and X2-10GB-ZR, they are designed based on the X2 MSA (multi-source agreement) and IEEE802.3ae. X2 fiber optic transceiver is designed to transmit and receive optical data of link length of 300m, 10km, 20km, 40km, up to 80km. X2 10GB solution include dual fiber X2, CWDM X2 and DWDM X2 modules which enable high port densities for 10 gigabit Ethernet systems.

Applications of X2 Transceiver Module

X2 transceiver is a hot pluggable in the Z-direction module that is usable in typical router line card applications, 10GE Storage, IP network and LAN and compliant to XENPAK MSA. X2 defines a smaller form-factor 10Gbit/s fiber optic transceiver optimized for 802.3ae Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Fibre Channel and other 10 Gigabit applications. X2 transceiver is initially centered on optical links to 10 kilometers and is ideally suited for Ethernet, Fibre Channel and telecom switches and standard PCI (peripheral component interconnect) based server and storage connections. Though X2 transceiver is physically smaller than XENPAK, it maintains the mature electrical I/O specification based on the XENPAK MSA and continues to provide robust thermal performance and electromagnetic shielding. X2 optical modules are available in two circuit interfaces: XAUI and Serial Framer Interface (SFI-4), which can be used for 10G Ethernet and also can be used for OC-192 SDH and 10GFC.

Fiberstore provides a full range of X2 optical transceivers to support Ethernet and other optical links’ applications across many switching and routing platforms. We offer 10G X2, BIDI X2 and CWDM/DWDM X2 modules with high quality and good prices.