The Cisco 10GBASE X2 module portfolio offers enterprise network architects and data center operators a robust, highly reliable choice for high-speed Ethernet deployment. As modern enterprise networks expand to accommodate bandwidth-intensive applications, high-density virtualization, and real-time data streaming, the need for scalable optical transceivers becomes critical. These pluggable I/O devices provide a modular approach to upgrading network infrastructure without requiring complete system overhauls.

By supporting a broad range of 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity options, the X2 form factor bridges the gap between legacy wiring plants and modern optical networks. Designed primarily for high-performance switches and routers, these modules enable seamless deployment across data centers, enterprise wiring closets, and service provider transport applications. They simplify physical medium choices while ensuring long-term investment protection.

Product overview

The Cisco 10GBASE X2 portfolio includes a comprehensive suite of transceiver models tailored for diverse media types and transmission distances. For short-reach multimode fiber deployments, the Cisco X2-10GB-SR reaches up to 300 meters on OM3 fiber, while the X2-10GB-LRM supports up to 220 meters on legacy FDDI-grade multimode fiber. Additionally, the X2-10GB-LX4 uses coarse wavelength division multiplexing to achieve up to 300 meters over legacy multimode infrastructure.

For long-haul single-mode optical connections, Cisco offers the X2-10GB-LR, capable of reaching up to 10 kilometers. Extending network reach further, the X2-10GB-ER supports distances up to 40 kilometers, whereas the X2-10GB-ZR provides extended-reach capabilities up to 80 kilometers over standard single-mode fiber. These models cater to campus backbones and metropolitan area networks.

Rounding out the portfolio for specialized applications are the copper-based Cisco X2-10GB-CX4, which delivers short-range 15-meter connectivity over InfiniBand copper cabling, and the Cisco Fabric Extender Transceiver (FET-10G), specifically designed to link Cisco Nexus fabric extenders to parent switches. Together, these modules ensure comprehensive coverage across both copper and fiber media.

Features and benefits

Hot-Swappable Input/Output: Enables seamless installation and replacement without powering down host switches, reducing operational downtime.
Interoperability Assurance: Fully compatible with other IEEE-compliant 10GbE interfaces like XENPAK, XFP, and SFP+ modules on the same link.
Cisco Quality Identification (ID): Incorporates advanced security identification features to verify that the module is certified and tested by Cisco.
Digital Optical Monitoring (DOM): Provides real-time diagnostic capabilities to monitor optical transmit power, receive power, laser bias current, and temperature.
Flexible Media Support: Offers extensive media flexibility, supporting single-mode fiber, multimode fiber, and copper links within a unified framework.
Pay-as-You-Grow Model: Allows network administrators to scale bandwidth incrementally as network demand grows, protecting initial capital investments.
High-Density System Integration: Compact X2 form factor enables higher port density across Cisco Catalyst switches and Cisco Nexus routers.

2020-10-29 :Updated

Product overview

The Cisco^® 10GBASE X2 modules (Figure 1) offer customers a wide variety of 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity options for data center, enterprise wiring closet, and service provider transport applications.

Cisco 10GBASE X2 and Xenpak modules

Figure 1.

Cisco 10GBASE X2 and Xenpak modules

Main features of Cisco 10GBASE X2 modules include:

● Support 10GBASE Ethernet

● Hot-swappable input/output device plugs into an Ethernet X2 port of a Cisco switch or router to link the port with the network

● Provides flexibility of interface choice

● Supports “pay-as-you-populate” model

● Supports the Cisco quality identification (ID) feature that enables a Cisco switch or router to identify whether the module is certified and tested by Cisco

● Has optical interoperability with respective 10GBASE Xenpak, 10GBASE XFP and 10GBASE SFP+ modules on the same link

Cisco X2-10GB-CX4

The Cisco 10GBASE-CX4 Module supports link lengths of up to 15m on CX4 cable.

Cisco X2-10GB-T

The Cisco 10GBASE-T Module supports link lengths of up to 100m on CAT6A or CAT7 copper cable.

Cisco X2-10GB-LRM

The Cisco 10GBASE-LRM Module supports link lengths of 220m on standard Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) grade multimode fiber (MMF). To ensure that specifications are met over FDDI-grade, OM1 and OM2 fibers, the transmitter should be coupled through a mode conditioning patch cord. No mode conditioning patch cord is required for applications over OM3. For additional information on mode conditioning patch cord requirements please see: https://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/modules/ps5455/product_bulletin_c25-530836.html.

The Cisco 10GBASE-LRM Module also supports link lengths of 300m on standard single-mode fiber (SMF, G.652).

Cisco X2-10GB-LX4

The Cisco 10GBASE-LX4 Module supports link lengths of 300m on standard FDDI grade MMF. To ensure that specifications are met, the transmitter output should be coupled through a mode conditioning patch cord. For additional information on mode conditioning patch cord requirements please see: https://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/modules/ps5455/product_bulletin_c25-530836.html.

Cisco X2-10GB-SR

The Cisco 10GBASE-SR Module supports a link length of 26m on standard FDDI grade MMF. Using 2000 MHz^*km MMF (OM3), up to 300m link lengths are possible. Using 4700 MHz^*km MMF (OM4), up to 400m link lengths are possible.

Cisco X2-10GB-LR

The Cisco 10GBASE-LR Module supports a link length of 10 kilometers on standard single-mode fiber (SMF, G.652).

Cisco X2-10GB-ER

The Cisco 10GBASE-ER Module supports a link length of up to 40 kilometers on standard single-mode fiber (SMF, G.652).

Cisco X2-10GB-ZR

Supports link lengths of up to about 80 km on SMF. This interface is not part of the 10 Gigabit Ethernet standard but is built according to Cisco optical specifications.

Technical specifications

Platform Support

Cisco X2 modules are supported on Cisco switches and routers. For more details, refer to the document Cisco Xenpak/X2 Compatibility Matrix.

Connectors and Cabling

Connectors: Dual SC/PC connector (-SR, -LR, -LRM, -LX4, -ER, -ZR); InfiniBand 4x connector (-CX4); RJ-45 connector (-T).

Note: For optical X2 modules, 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.

Table 1 provides cabling specifications for the Cisco X2 modules.

Table 1. X2 Port Cabling specifications

Cisco X2	Wavelength (nm)	Cable Type	Core Size (Microns)	Modal Bandwidth (MHz^*km)	Cable Distance^*
Cisco X2-10GB-CX4	-	CX4 (copper)	-	-	15m
Cisco X2-10GB-T	-	CAT6A/CAT7 (copper)	-	-	100m
Cisco X2-10GB-SR	850	MMF	62.5 62.5 50.0 50.0 50.0 50.0	160 (FDDI-grade) 200 (OM1) 400 500 (OM2) 2000 (OM3) 4700 (OM4)	26m 33m 66m 82m 300m 400m
Cisco X2-10GB-LRM	1310	MMF	62.5 50.0 50.0	500 400 500	220m 100m 220m
Cisco X2-10GB-LRM	1310	SMF	G.652	-	300m
Cisco X2-10GB-LX4	1310	MMF	62.5 50.0 50.0	500 400 500	300m 240m 300m
Cisco X2-10GB-LR	1310	SMF	G.652	-	10 km
Cisco X2-10GB-ER^**	1550	SMF	G.652	-	40 km^***

^* Minimum cabling distance for -LR, -SR, -LX4, -ER modules is 2m, according to the IEEE 802.3ae standard, and minimum cabling distance for -LRM modules is 0.5m, according to IEEE 802.3aq standard.

^** Requires 5 dB 1550 nm fixed loss attenuator for < 20 km. Attenuator is available as a spare. The part number is WS-X6K-5DB-ATT=.

^*** Links longer than 30 km are considered engineered links.

Standards

● IEEE 802.3ae (-LR, -SR, -LX4, -ER)

● IEEE 802.3ak (-CX4)

● IEEE 802.3aq (-LRM)

● IEEE 802.3an (-T)

Table 2 shows the main optical characteristics for the Cisco X2 module. The Cisco X2-10GB-CX4 and X2-10GB-T are not optical modules and therefore are not listed in Table 2.

Table 2. Optical transmit and receive specifications

Product	Type	Transmit Power (dBm)^*		Receive Power (dBm)^*		Transmit and Receive Wavelength Range (nm)
Product	Type	Maximum	Minimum	Maximum	Minimum	Transmit	Receive
Cisco X2-10GB-SR	10GBASE-SR 850 nm MMF	-1^**	-7.3	-1.0	-9.9	840 to 860
Cisco X2-10GB-LRM	10GBASE-LRM 1310 nm MMF and SMF	0.5	-6.5	0.5	-8.4 (in average) and -6.5 (in OMA)^***	1260 to 1355
Cisco X2-10GB-LX4	10GBASE-LX4 WWDM 1300 nm MMF	-0.5 per lane	-6.75 per lane in OMA	-0.5 per lane	-14.25 per lane in OMA	Four lanes; overall range: 1269 to 1356
Cisco X2-10GB-LR	10GBASE-LR 1310 nm SMF	0.5	-8.2	0.5	-14.4	1260 to 1355	1260 to 1565^****
Cisco X2-10GB-ER	10GBASE-ER 1550 nm SMF	4.0	-4.7	-1.0	-15.8	1530 to 1565	1260 to 1565^****

^* Transmitter and receiver power is in average, unless specified.

^** The launch power shall be the lesser of the class 1 safety limit or the maximum receive power. Class 1 laser requirements are defined by IEC 60825-1: 2001.

^*** Both average and OMA specifications must be met simultaneously.

^**** Even though the receiver can tolerate a wide wavelength range, the specifications are guaranteed for a signal within the transmit wavelength range.

Table 3 details optical specifications for the Cisco X2-10GB-ZR modules.

Table 3. X2-10GB-ZR optical parameters

Parameter	Symbol	Minimum	Typical	Maximum	Units	Notes and Conditions
Transmitter
Transmitter wavelength	1530	1565	nm
Side-mode suppression ratio	SMSR	30	dB
Transmitter extinction ratio	9	dB
Transmitter optical output power	P_out	0	4.0	dBm	Average power coupled into single-mode fiber
Receiver
Receiver optical input wavelength	1530	1565	nm	The receiver can tolerate a wavelength range from 1260 to 1565, but the specifications are guaranteed for a signal received with the transmit wavelength range
Receiver damage threshold	-1	dBm
Dispersion tolerance	0	1600	ps/nm
Optical input power	P_in	-24.0	-7.0	dBm	At bit error rate (BER) = 10e^-12 with IEEE 802.3 test pattern
Dispersion power penalty at 1600 ps/nm	3	dB	At bit error rate (BER) = 10e^-12 with IEEE 802.3 test pattern

Note: Parameters are specified over temperature and at end of life unless otherwise noted. When shorter distances of single-mode fiber are used, an inline optical attenuator must be used to avoid overloading and damaging the receiver.

Dimensions

● Dimensions (D x W x H): 91mm x 36mm x 13.46mm. Cisco X2s typically weigh under 300 grams

● Environmental Conditions and Power Requirements

● The operating temperature range is between 0 and 70°C (32 to 158°F); storage temperature range is -40 to 85°C (-40 to 185°F)

● The maximum power consumption per Cisco X2 module is 4W

Table 4. Ordering Cisco X2 and respective cables

Description	Product Number
X2 Modules
Cisco 10GBASE-LR X2 Module for SMF	X2-10GB-LR
Cisco 10GBASE-CX4 X2 Module for CX4 (copper) cable	X2-10GB-CX4
Cisco 10GBASE-SR X2 Module for MMF	X2-10GB-SR
Cisco 10GBASE-LRM X2 Module for MMF	X2-10GB-LRM
Cisco 10GBASE-LX4 X2 Module for MMF	X2-10GB-LX4
Cisco 10GBASE-ER X2 Module for SMF	X2-10GB-ER
Cisco 10GBASE-ZR X2 Module for SMF	X2-10GB-ZR
Cisco 10GBASE-T X2 Module for CAT6A/CAT7 copper cable	X2-10GB-T
Cables
Mode conditioning patch cable 62.5u, dual SC connectors	CAB-GELX-625=
Mode conditioning patch cable 50u, dual SC connectors	CAB-MCP50-SC=
1m cable for 10GBase-CX4 module	CAB-INF-28G-1=
5m cable for 10GBase-CX4 module	CAB-INF-28G-5=
10m cable for 10GBase-CX4 module	CAB-INF-28G-10=
15m cable for 10GBase-CX4 module	CAB-INF-26G-15=

Regulatory and standards compliance

Standards:

● GR-20-CORE: Generic Requirements for Optical Fiber and Optical Fiber Cable

● GR-326-CORE: Generic Requirements for Single-Mode Optical Connectors and Jumper Assemblies

● GR-1435-CORE: Generic Requirements for Multifiber Optical Connectors

Safety:

● Laser Class 1 21CFR-1040 LN#50 7/2001

● Laser Class 1 IEC60825-1


	X2-10GB-CX4

Cisco 10 Gigabit Transceiver X2-10GB-CX4

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