CT-2125NSP-SB1L-E 850 nm VCSEL 300 m SFP Transceiver w. DDMI

The CT-2125NSP-SB1L-E is a Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) transceiver designed for high-speed short-range optical communication. It uses a VCSEL laser at 850 nm to deliver reliable data transmission over multimode fibre cables, making it ideal for 2 Gbps Fibre Channel storage networks and Gigabit Ethernet links. With a reach of up to 300 metres, this module connects servers, switches, and storage devices within data centres and campus networks. The unit includes digital diagnostic monitoring, allowing network engineers to track optical power levels, temperature, and voltage for proactive maintenance. Built for an extended temperature range (-40°C to 85°C), it performs consistently in both standard and industrial environments. The transceiver’s hot-swappable SFP form factor and LC duplex interface ensure easy integration into existing equipment and interoperability with a wide range of networking hardware.

CT-2125NSP-SB1L-E 850 nm VCSEL 300 m SFP Transceiver w. DDMI

Range features

A high level overview of what this range offers

  • 850 nm VCSEL Laser – Shortwave VCSEL transmitter supports up to 2.125 Gbps, enabling high-speed data links over multimode fibre (up to 300 m).
  • Multimode Fibre Optimised – Designed for 50/125 µm and 62.5/125 µm multimode fibre, providing reliable connectivity for short-distance network links.
  • Digital Diagnostics (DDMI) – Built-in monitoring of optical power, temperature, and voltage offers real-time insight into module health for easier troubleshooting.
  • Extended Temperature Range – Industrial-rated operation from -40°C to +85°C ensures consistent performance in harsh or outdoor environments.
  • Hot-Swappable SFP Design – Standard SFP footprint fits any MSA-compliant SFP slot, allowing easy installation and replacement without network downtime.
  • LC Duplex Connector – Uses a familiar LC fibre connector, simplifying cable attachments and ensuring compatibility with common multimode patch cords.
  • Fibre Channel & Ethernet Compatible – Supports 2G Fibre Channel and 1000BASE-SX Ethernet, offering flexibility for use in both storage area networks (SAN) and standard LAN infrastructure.

Downloads

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CT-2125NSP-SB1L-E Datasheet (PDF)
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What’s in this range?

All the variants in the range and a comparison of what they offer

ParameterValue

Data Rate

Up to 2.125 Gbps (2G Fibre Channel; backward compatible with 1.0625 Gbps Fibre Channel and 1.25 Gbps Gigabit Ethernet)

Wavelength

850 nm (VCSEL transmitter)

Optical Reach

300 m maximum over multimode fibre (50/125 µm OM3)

Transmitter

850 nm VCSEL (Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser), Class 1 laser safety

Receiver

PIN photodiode for 850 nm multimode

Optical Output Power

-9 dBm to 0 dBm (typical range)

Receiver Sensitivity

Better than -17 dBm (for 2.125 Gbps)

Connector Type

LC duplex connector

Digital Diagnostics

Yes (supports DDMI per SFF-8472 standard)

Power Supply Voltage

+3.3 V DC

Power Consumption

< 1 W typical

Operating Temperature

-40 °C to +85 °C (industrial extended range)

Compliance Standards

SFP MSA compliant; IEEE 802.3z 1000BASE-SX; Fibre Channel FC-PH (2G short wave); Class 1 laser IEC-60825; RoHS compliant

FAQs

for CT-2125NSP-SB1L-E 850 nm VCSEL 300 m SFP Transceiver w. DDMI

This transceiver is designed for 2.125 Gbps Fibre Channel (2G FC) and is also compatible with 1 Gbps data rates like Fibre Channel 1G and Gigabit Ethernet (1000BASE-SX). It adheres to the SFP multi-source agreement, so it works with any standard SFP port supporting these protocols.

Yes. This model uses an 850 nm VCSEL laser optimized for multimode fibre. It achieves up to 300 m reach on 50/125 µm multimode optical fibre (OM3 or better). It is not intended for long-distance single-mode fibre links, as 850 nm light on single-mode fibre would have very limited reach.

Yes, it features Digital Diagnostic Monitoring Interface (DDMI). This allows the module to report real-time parameters to the host device, including transmit optical power, receive optical power, laser bias current, supply voltage, and internal temperature. Such monitoring helps with preventative maintenance and troubleshooting by alerting you if values go out of the normal range.

The unit has a standard duplex LC optical connector for the fibre connections. It fits into any standard SFP slot and is hot-swappable, meaning you can plug it in or remove it without needing to power down the system. This makes installation and upgrades straightforward and non-disruptive for network equipment.

Yes. This model is rated for an extended temperature range of -40 °C to +85 °C, which covers industrial-grade requirements. Its wide operating temperature means it can reliably function in outdoor telecom cabinets, factory floor networks, or other environments where standard commercial-temperature optics would fail.

Absolutely. The module is MSA-compliant, which means it follows the industry standards for SFP transceivers. It can be used in Fibre Channel switch ports, storage arrays, network switch SFP ports, media converters, and any device that expects an SFP optical module of this type. Just ensure the device supports the 2.125 Gbps or 1.25 Gbps rates that this module provides.

To reach the maximum 300 m, you should use OM3 or OM4 multimode fibre (50/125 µm core diameter), which have the bandwidth capacity for high-speed signals at 850 nm. Using older OM1 multimode (62.5/125 µm) will result in a shorter reach (typically around 150 m) due to its lower modal bandwidth. Always use good-quality fibre patch cords and connectors to ensure optimal performance.