Collection: Networking Accessories

SFP selection depends on three factors: (1) cable type — multi-mode fiber (OM3/OM4), single-mode fiber (OS2), or copper (DAC); (2) wavelength — 850nm for multi-mode, 1310nm or 1550nm for single-mode; (3) distance — 150m, 500m, 2km, 10km, 40km, or 80km depending on the optic and cable grade. All three must match your cable plant and switch's SFP port spec. Contact us with your switch model and run length if you need help selecting.

Standard copper Ethernet (Cat5e/Cat6): 100 meters maximum. Multi-mode fiber (OM3): 300m at 10Gbps; (OM4): 400m at 10Gbps. Single-mode fiber (OS2): 10km at 1Gbps/10Gbps with standard optics; 40km or 80km with long-reach optics. If you need to connect two buildings 200 meters apart, multi-mode fiber is the minimum — at 500m or more, single-mode is the reliable choice.

A media converter converts between copper RJ45 Ethernet and fiber — allowing a copper-only switch (no SFP port) to connect to a fiber uplink or extend a run beyond 100m. Use one when adding a single long-distance fiber segment to an otherwise copper network without replacing the existing switches at each end.

Cat5e supports 1Gbps at 100m. Cat6 supports 1Gbps at 100m and 10Gbps up to 55m with reduced crosstalk. Cat6A supports 10Gbps at the full 100m with alien crosstalk shielding — recommended as the future-proof standard for new structured cabling builds. For short patch runs in existing infrastructure, Cat6 is sufficient.

MikroTik, Peplink, and most open-standard switch platforms accept third-party SFPs without vendor lock or software restrictions. Axiom transceivers are programmed to match the identification data expected by major switch platforms. Contact us with your switch model and run requirements to confirm compatibility before ordering.