Replacing an SFP or XFP Transceiver
To replace an SFP or XFP transceiver, perform the following procedures:
Removing an SFP or XFP Transceiver
Small form-factor pluggables (SFPs) are optical transceivers that can be removed from a PIC (for more information, see M120 PICs Description).
SFPs and XFPs are hot-insertable and hot-removable. Removing an SFP or XFP does not interrupt PIC functioning, but the removed SFP or XFP no longer receives or transmits data.
To remove an SFP or XFP transceiver (see Figure 1):
- Have ready a replacement transceiver, or a transceiver slot plug, an antistatic mat, and a rubber safety cap for the transceiver.
- Attach an ESD wrist strap to your bare wrist and connect the wrist strap to one of the ESD points on the chassis.
- Label the cables connected to the transceiver so
that you can reconnect them correctly later.

Warning: Do not look directly into a fiber-optic transceiver or into the end of a fiber-optic cable. Fiber-optic transceivers contain laser light sources that can damage your eyes.
- Remove the cable connector plugged into the transceiver.
- Carefully drape the disconnected cable over the
bobbins in the cable management system below the FPC card cage to
prevent the cable from developing stress points.

Caution: Avoid bending fiber-optic cable beyond its minimum bend radius. An arc smaller than a few inches in diameter can damage the cable and cause problems that are difficult to diagnose.
- Pull the ejector handle out from the transceiver
to unlock the transceiver.

Caution: Make sure that you open the ejector handle completely (you will hear it click). This prevents damage to the transceiver.
For the 10-port Gigabit Ethernet PIC, use needlenose pliers to pull the ejector handle out from the SFP.
- Grasp the transceiver ejector handle and pull the
transceiver approximately 0.5 in (1.3 cm) out of the PIC or CFPC.
For the 10-port Gigabit Ethernet PIC, use needlenose pliers to grasp the SFP ejector and pull the SFP approximately 0.5 in (1.3 cm) out of the PIC.
- Using your fingers, grasp the body of the transceiver
and pull it the rest of the way out of the PIC or CFPC.
Figure 1: Removing M120 SFPs or XFPs

- Place a rubber safety cap over the transceiver.
- Place the removed transceiver on an antistatic mat or in an electrostatic bag.
![]() | Caution: After removing a transceiver from the chassis, wait at least 30 seconds before reinserting it or inserting a transceiver into a different slot. |
Installing an SFP or XFP Transceiver
To install an SFP or XFP (see Removing SFPs or XFPs):
- Attach an ESD wrist strap to your bare wrist and connect the wrist strap to one of the ESD points on the chassis.
- Take each transceiver to be installed out of its electrostatic bag and identify the slot on the PIC or CFPC where it will be installed.
- Verify that each transceiver is covered by a rubber safety cap. If it is not, cover the transceiver with a safety cap.
- Carefully align the transceiver with the slots in the PIC or CFPC. The connectors should face the PIC or CFPC.
- Slide the transceiver until the connector is seated in the PIC or CFPC slot. If you are unable to fully insert the transceiver, make sure the connector is facing the right way.
- Remove the rubber safety cap from the transceiver and the end of the cable. Insert the cable into the transceiver.
- Verify that the status LEDs on the PIC faceplate indicate that the SFP or XFP is functioning correctly. For more information about the PIC LEDs, see the M120 PIC Guide. You can also verify PIC functioning by issuing the show chassis fpc pic-status command described in Maintaining M120 PICs and PIC Cables.
