Avago 16GBASE-SW Transceiver

Avago 16GBASE-SW – High-Speed 16G Fibre Channel Optical Transceiver

Overview:

The Avago 16GBASE-SW transceiver is a high-performance 16G Fibre Channel (FC) SFP+ optical module engineered for shortwave (SW) data transmission over multimode fiber. Designed to support next-generation storage and data center environments, it offers data rates up to 14.025 Gbps, making it fully compliant with 16GFC standards and backward compatible with 8GFC and 4GFC.

Using an 850nm VCSEL laser, the Avago 16GBASE-SW supports optical transmission distances of up to 100 meters (OM3) and 125 meters (OM4). This makes it perfect for connecting storage arrays, SAN switches, and other Fibre Channel-enabled devices in short-range deployments.

Key Features :

• Supports 16G Fibre Channel (16GFC)

• Data rate: 14.025 Gbps

• Optical wavelength: 850nm

• Duplex LC connector

• Hot-swappable SFP+ form factor

• Transmission: up to 125m (OM4), 100m (OM3)

• Backward compatible with 8G/4G FC

• Low power consumption & integrated Digital Diagnostics Monitoring (DDM)

The Avago 16GBASE-SW transceiver is built to deliver reliable, high-speed connectivity for enterprise storage networking applications.

Ideal for High-Performance Storage Environments

The Avago 16GBASE-SW is ideal for:

• Connecting Fibre Channel SAN switches to storage systems

• Virtualized storage environments requiring low latency

• Data center core-to-edge SAN architecture

• Use in high IOPS applications like databases, backup systems, and virtual machines

Thanks to its low latency and error-free transmission, the Avago 16GBASE-SW ensures maximum throughput in mission-critical storage deployments.

 Easy Integration with Multi-Vendor Hardware

This module offers broad interoperability across major platforms, including:

• Brocade (Broadcom) Fibre Channel switches

• Cisco MDS SAN environments

• Dell EMC, NetApp, HPE storage arrays

• Avago-based OEM systems

Its MSA-compliant design ensures that the Avago 16GBASE-SW can be smoothly integrated into existing FC infrastructures without compatibility issues.

Energy Efficiency Meets Performance

This  transceiver consumes less than 1W of power, making it ideal for high-density deployments where thermal efficiency is critical. Its small form factor and efficient energy profile reduce heat output, lowering cooling requirements and helping to optimize rack space and performance per watt.

Combined with DDM support, admins can monitor optical performance (like Tx/Rx power, temperature, and voltage) in real-time for better control and faster fault resolution.

Enterprise-Grade Reliability and Intelligent Monitoring

In mission-critical storage networks, reliability and visibility are essential—and that’s where the Avago 16GBASE-SW truly excels. Engineered with precision optical components and rigorous quality standards, this transceiver is designed to withstand the demands of 24/7 operations in enterprise data centers and SAN environments. With support for Digital Diagnostics Monitoring (DDM), network administrators gain real-time insight into key optical parameters such as laser output power, received signal strength, temperature, and module voltage. This visibility helps prevent link failures and allows for proactive maintenance before minor issues become major outages.

Whether used in primary data centers or backup recovery sites, the Avago 16GBASE-SW provides consistent and stable performance for Fibre Channel-based workloads, including high-speed databases, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), and data replication services. Its backward compatibility with 8G and 4G Fibre Channel ensures flexibility for mixed environments where gradual upgrades are being deployed.

By integrating the Avago 16GBASE-SW into your SAN, you not only improve throughput but also strengthen the reliability and manageability of your network fabric. It’s the smart choice for IT teams looking for a transceiver that balances speed, intelligence, and long-term resilience.

Reliability Backed by Avago

Avago (now part of Broadcom) is known for its optical innovation and durable networking hardware. The Avago 16GBASE-SW module goes through strict quality testing to ensure exceptional signal integrity, temperature tolerance, and long operational life in mission-critical setups.

Final Thoughts

The Avago 16GBASE-SW transceiver provides a compact, high-performance, and energy-efficient solution for short-range Fibre Channel connectivity. Whether you’re upgrading your SAN, expanding storage, or optimizing virtualization, this module ensures reliable 16G speed with minimal complexity.

For organizations relying on low-latency, high-bandwidth connections between critical storage assets, the Avago 16GBASE-SW is a smart and scalable choice.