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Optical Transceiver
What is GBIC? Everything You Need to Know
Apr
Updated on Dec 19, 2022
GBIC is an old topic, but many technicians don’t know the details. In this article, we will discuss and tell you everything about it.
What is GBIC?
GBIC stands for Gigabit Interface Converter. It is a hot-pluggable optical transceiver that converts serial electric signals to optical ones. Further, this transceiver fits into the GBIC port on the Ethernet switch or router.
Compared with the first-generation 1×9 transceiver, this one provides hot-pluggable features – that allow IT technicians to insert and remove it without powering off the switch.
Let’s say the history. In 1995, the SFF Committee presented and defined the GBIC form factor. Then, they launched the MSA specifications called SFF-8053 (or INF-8053) and updated the specification in later years. The latest version Rev 5.5, was released on September 27, 2000.
FURTHER READING
- GBIC vs SFP vs SFP+ vs XFP, What is the difference?
- GBIC vs SFP vs Mini GBIC, What is the difference?
GBIC Connector vs. Port vs. Transceiver, Are they the same?
In the real world, many IT professionals may hear about different terms like GBIC connector, GBIC port, transceiver, etc.
Are they the same things? How are they different from each other?
GBIC port refers to the small physical interface on the gigabit switch or other networking devices. This port only accepts the GBIC form factor transceiver, like fiber and copper types.
It is one or one group cage soldered on the switch motherboard. Because without any optoelectronic devices, it only functions as a connector, allowing the optical transceiver to communicate with the switch system.
The GBIC connector above usually refers to the interface on the transceiver. All fiber transceivers come with a duplex or simplex SC connector. That allows the SC fiber cable to plug in directly.
Instead, the copper transceiver provides an RJ45 female connector. It is for the existing copper cabling networks based on Cat5, Cat5e, or Cat6.
How many GBICs are there?
We can divide them into many types based on different benchmarks.
By Datarate
- 100BASE: support fast Ethernet and SDH/SONET OC3
- 622M: support SDH/SONET OC12
- 1G (1000BASE): support 1G fiber channel and gigabit Ethernet.
- 2G: support 2G fiber channel and 2.5G SDH/SONET
By Cable Type
- RJ45 GBIC: features RJ45 female connector, suitable for connecting with an ethernet cable
- Multimode GBIC: ideal for the multimode fiber cable (OM1/OM2/OM3)
- Singlemode GBIC: ideal for the singlemode fiber cable (OS1/OS2)
By Distance
- T: stands for copper, commonly with 1000BASE-T speed, and transmits the signal over Cat 5 cable
- SX: stands for short reach, typical link of 550m on OM2 fiber
- LX: stands for long reach, typical link of 10km on OS2 fiber
- EX: stands for extend reach, typical link of 40km on OS2 fiber
- ZX: stands for extend long reach, a typical link of 70km on OS2 fiber
By application
- CWDM: It means Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing, which helps to maximize the fiber Utilization efficiency
- BiDi: Allow bi-directional transmission on one fiber, saving half of the cabling.
- Duplex Fiber: transmit over one fiber and receive over another fiber, suitable for the regular duplex fiber cabling network
Current Status
In a word, it is outdated.
GBIC defines a bigger size than the later SFP, requesting more space on the switch and other networking devices. So, that allows fewer switch ports and less bandwidth. As a result, SFP replaces it rapidly due to the crucial smaller size.
Finding someone to provide these products will take a lot of work. They are history. Most new modern switches come with the SFP and SFP+ port but not the GBIC port.
Hence, switch to the new SFP and SFP+ modules, as they are much more popular with the best pricing and choices on the market.
FAQ
GBIC transceiver vs. module, are they the same?
They are the same thing. Somebody called it a transceiver, while some others used to be called “module,” They are just different names, but essentially they refer to the same thing.
GBIC vs. mini-GBIC, what is the difference?
Mini-GBIC, also called SFP, provides a smaller size and allows higher port density. The main difference is the cage size. Because of its small size, SFP has now replaced GBIC. In fact, it is difficult to find a new switch that still offers a GBIC port.
What is their color coding?
The latch color is defined based on the distance and fiber cable. The below table shows the color coding.
| Type | Color |
| Multimode | Beige or Black |
| Singlemode | Blue |
Final Words
Knowing the GBIC definition, history, and types will help you choose the suitable networking gear. I hope this post classifies your confusion.
Do you have any other questions?
Are there any other topics missed?
Let me know by leaving your comments.
Read More:
- What is SFP Module? An Ultimate Guide?
- What is SFP Port? Everything You Need to Know
- GBIC vs SFP vs SFP+ vs XFP, what is the difference?
- GBIC vs SFP vs Mini GBIC: What is the difference?
A gigabit interface converter ( GBIC ) is a standard for transceivers, first defined in 1995 and commonly used with Gigabit Ethernet and fibre channel for some time. By offering a standard, hot swappable electrical interface, a single gigabit port can support a wide range of physical media, from copper to long-wave single-mode optical fiber, at lengths of hundreds of kilometers.