The industry-standard Cisco Gigabit Interface Converter (GBIC) is a hot-swappable input/output device that plugs into a Gigabit Ethernet port or slot, linking the port with the network. Cisco GBICs can be interchanged on a wide variety of Cisco products and can be intermixed in combinations of 1000BASE-T, 1000BASE-SX, 1000BASE-LX/LH, 1000BASE-ZX, or 1000BASE-CWDM interfaces on a port-by-port basis.
As additional capabilities are developed, these modules make it easy to upgrade to the latest interface technology, maximizing investment protection. Figure 1 shows three Cisco GBIC models.
Figure 1. Cisco Gigabit Interface Converters
CISCO 1000BASE-T GBIC
The Cisco 1000BASE-T GBIC (product number WS-G5483) connects a GBIC port to Category 5 wiring via a standard RJ-45 interface. The maximum Category 5 wiring distance is 328 feet (100 meters). For details, see the Cisco 1000BASE-T Gigabit Interface Converter Data Sheet.
CISCO 1000BASE-SX GBIC
The Cisco 1000BASE-SX GBIC (WS-G5484) operates on ordinary multimode fiber (MMF) optic link spans up to 1815 feet (550 m) long.
CISCO 1000BASE-LX/LH GBIC
The Cisco 1000BASE-LX/LH GBIC (WS-G5486) fully complies with the IEEE 802.3z 1000BASE-LX standard. However, its higher optical quality allows it to reach 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) over single-mode fiber (SMF), compared with the 3.1 miles (5 km) specified in the standard.
CISCO 1000BASE-ZX GBIC
The Cisco 1000BASE-ZX GBIC (WS-G5487) operates on ordinary single-mode fiber optic link spans up to 43.4 miles (70 km) long. Link spans of up to 62 miles (100 km) are possible using premium single-mode fiber or dispersion shifted single-mode fiber. The GBIC provides an optical link budget of 23 dB-the precise link span length will depend on multiple factors such as fiber quality, number of splices, and connectors.
When shorter distances of single-mode fiber are used, it might be necessary to insert an in-line optical attenuator in the link to avoid overloading the receiver:
• A 5-dB or 10-dB inline optical attenuator should be inserted between the fiber-optic cable plant and the receiving port on the Cisco 1000BASE-ZX GBIC at each end of the link whenever the fiber-optic cable span is less than 15.5 miles (25 km).
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
This section covers the Cisco 1000BASE-SX GBIC, Cisco 1000BASE-LX/LH GBIC, and the Cisco 1000BASE-ZX GBIC, unless otherwise specified. Technical specifications for the Cisco 1000BASE-T GBIC can be found in a separate document, Cisco 1000BASE-T Gigabit Interface Converter Data Sheet.
PLATFORM SUPPORT
Cisco GBICs are supported across a variety Cisco switches, routers, and optical transport devices. For more details, see the document GBIC Compatibility Matrix.
CONNECTORS AND CABLING
Connectors: Dual SC/PC connector
Note: Only connections with patch cords with PC or UPC connectors are supported. Patch cords with APC connectors are not supported. All cables and cable assemblies used must be compliant with the standards specified in the standards section.
Note: Patch cables need to be compliant with GR326.
Table 1 provides cabling specifications for the Cisco GBICs that you install in the Gigabit Ethernet port. Note that all Cisco GBICs have SC-type connectors, and the minimum cable distance for all GBICs listed (multimode fiber [MMF] and single-mode fiber [SMF]) is 6.5 feet (2 m).
Table 1. Cisco GBIC Port Cabling Specifications
GBIC
Wavelength (nm)
Fiber Type
Core Size (Micron)
Modal Bandwidth (MHz/km)
Cable Distance
Cisco 1000BASE-SX
850
MMF
62.5
62.5
50.0
50.0
160
200
400
500
722 ft (220 m)
902 ft (275 m)
1640 ft (500 m)
1804 ft (550 m)
Cisco 1000BASE-LX/LH
1310
MMF*
62.5
50.0
50.0
500
400
500
1804 ft (550 m)
1804 ft (550 m)
1804 ft (550 m)
SMF
9/10
N/A
6.2 miles (10 km)
Cisco 1000BASE-ZX
1550
SMF
9/10
N/A
43.4 to 62 miles (70 to 100 km)**
* Mode-conditioning patch cord (CAB-GELX-625 or equivalent) is required.
** Cisco 1000BASE-ZX GBIC can reach up to 62 miles (100 km) by using dispersion shifted SMF or low-attenuation SMF; the distance depends on fiber quality, number of splices, and connectors.
Note: A mode-conditioning patch cord (product number CAB-GELX-625 or equivalent) is required to comply with IEEE standards. The IEEE found that link distances could not be met with certain types of fiber-optic cable cores. The solution is to launch light from the laser at a precise offset from the center, which is accomplished by using the mode-conditioning patch cord. At the output of the patch cord, the Cisco 1000BASE-LX/LH GBIC is compliant with the IEEE 802.3z standard for 1000BASE-LX.
STANDARDS
• Compatible with GBIC standard as specified in IEEE 802.3z
• Compliant with GBIC Specification Revision 5.4
GR-20-CORE: Generic Requirements for Optical Fiber and Optical Fiber Cable
GR-326-CORE: Generic Requirements for Singlemode Optical Connectors and Jumper Assemblies
GR-1435-CORE: Generic Requirements for Multi-Fiber Optical Connectors
Table 2. Fiber Loss Budgets for 1000BASE-SX, 1000BASE-LX, and 1000BASE-ZX
Device
Type
Transmit (dBm)
Receive (dBm)
Max
Min
Max
Min
WS-G5484
1000BASE-SX
-3
-9.5
0
-17
WS-G5486
1000BASE-LX/LH
-3
-9.5
-3
-19
WS-G5487
1000BASE-ZX
5
0
-3
-23*
* The WS-G5487 1000BASE-ZX GBIC provides a minimum optical power budget of 23 dB. To determine the supported link distance you should measure your cable plant with an optical loss test set to verify that the optical loss of the cable plant (including connectors and splices) is less than or equal to this figure. The optical loss measurement must be performed with a 1550-nanometer light source.
DIMENSIONS
Dimensions (H x W x D): 1.90 x 3.91 x 8.89 cm. Cisco GBIC typically weigh less than 75 grams.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND POWER REQUIREMENTS
The operating temperature range is 32 to 122°F (0 to 50°C) Storage temperature range is -40 to 185°F (-40 to 85°C).
Table 3. Electrical Power Interface
Parameter
Symbol
Minimum
Typical
Maximum
Units
Supply Current
IS
-
200
300
mA
Supply Voltage
Imax
-
-
6
-
Surge Current
ISURGE
-
-
30
mA
Input Voltage
VCC
4.75
5
5.25
V
WARRANTY
• Standard warranty: 90 days
• Extended warranty (option): Available under a Cisco SMARTnet™ support contract for the Cisco switch or router chassis
ORDERING INFORMATION
Table 4 lists product numbers to use when ordering Cisco GBICs.
Table 4. Cisco GBIC Product Numbers
GBIC
Product Number
Copper (Cisco 1000BASE-T)
WS-G5483
Short Wavelength (1000BASE-SX)
WS-G5484
Long Wavelength/Long Haul (1000BASE-LX/LH)
WS-G5486
Extended Distance (1000BASE-ZX)
WS-G5487
REGULATORY AND STANDARDS COMPLIANCE
Safety-Laser Class I 21CFR1040
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For additional information about the Cisco Coarse Wavelength-Division Multiplexing (CWDM) GBIC Solution contact:
