StarTech SFPG1320C 1000BASE-LH Single-Mode Fiber SFP Module

Overview

The StarTech SFPG1320C is a 1.25 Gbps 1000BASE-LH SFP transceiver built to drop into Cisco switches and routers that call for a GLC-LH-SMD module — without paying OEM pricing for the privilege. Operating at 1310nm over single-mode fiber with an LC connector interface, it bridges distances up to 20 km, which covers most campus-to-campus or building-to-data-center fiber runs where multi-mode falls short. If you're extending network switch uplinks across a large facility or interconnecting distributed surveillance recording nodes over existing SMF infrastructure, this is the transceiver to reach for.

Drawing under 1 watt at 3.3V DC, the SFPG1320C adds negligible load to your switch's power budget — relevant when you're populating a chassis with multiple SFP slots simultaneously. The module supports both half- and full-duplex operation, though virtually every modern Gigabit Ethernet deployment runs full-duplex; the flexibility is there if your fiber plant includes legacy segments.

Key Features

• 20 km reach at 1310nm: Single-mode fiber at this wavelength covers the distance gaps that 850nm multi-mode SFPs cannot. A 20 km span handles most metropolitan campus rings or inter-building runs where running new fiber isn't feasible — your existing SMF plant does the work.
• 1.25 Gbps data rate: Full Gigabit Ethernet throughput (with the 25 Mbps 8b/10b overhead factored in) keeps uplinks from becoming a chokepoint. For network video recorders aggregating high-bitrate camera feeds, an uncontested 1 Gbps uplink prevents buffer buildup during peak-record windows.
• LC connector interface: LC is the dominant connector on modern SMF patch panels and switch ports. No adapters needed in the vast majority of installations — patch straight from the switch port to the fiber distribution frame.
• Sub-1W power consumption: Running well under 1 watt means the thermal contribution per module is minimal. In a densely populated switch, that adds up — populating 24 SFP slots with low-draw modules rather than power-hungry optics can meaningfully reduce aggregate chassis heat.
• Half/Full-Duplex support: Full-duplex operation is standard for Gigabit links, but half-duplex compatibility means this module won't choke on legacy segments in mixed-age fiber plants.
• MTBF of 2,722,277 hours: That's over 310 years of calculated mean time between failures. In practice, you're not replacing this module on any scheduled interval — it's effectively fit-and-forget in a climate-controlled network closet.
• 0°C to 70°C operating range: Covers conditioned data center and IDF/MDF environments. This is a commercial-temperature module, not an industrial-extended-temp part — keep it in a temperature-managed enclosure.
• Storage temperature down to -40°C: Useful when the module sits in spares inventory in an unheated warehouse or shipping environment; the silicon won't be stressed before deployment.
• IEEE 802.3z 1000BASE-LH compliance: Standards conformance means this transceiver will negotiate cleanly with any 802.3z-compliant switch port — not just Cisco. The GLC-LH-SMD compatibility is the headline, but the underlying standards compliance makes it broadly interoperable.

Integration and Compatibility

The SFPG1320C is coded as a Cisco GLC-LH-SMD compatible module, meaning it presents the correct vendor ID to pass Cisco IOS and NX-OS compatibility checks without requiring the service unsupported-transceiver override command on most platforms. That said, Cisco periodically updates IOS versions in ways that can affect third-party transceiver recognition — validate against your specific platform firmware before deploying at scale. Outside of Cisco, the IEEE 802.3z compliance means this module will function in any switch that accepts standard 1000BASE-LH SFP optics, including platforms from vendors across the managed switch ecosystem.

For security infrastructure deployments specifically, this transceiver is well-suited to connecting remote NVR nodes, fiber-uplinked PoE switch stacks at building perimeters, and any topology where copper Gigabit falls short of the required run length. Pair it with a compatible single-mode LC fiber patch cable and verify that both ends of the link use matched 1310nm optics — mixing 850nm multi-mode modules on the far end will result in no link.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is the SFPG1320C compatible with Cisco switches without needing a CLI override command?

A: The SFPG1320C is coded as a Cisco GLC-LH-SMD compatible module and is designed to pass Cisco IOS and NX-OS vendor ID checks on most platforms. However, Cisco firmware updates can affect third-party transceiver recognition. It is recommended to validate on your specific platform and IOS version before deploying in quantity.

Q: What fiber type and connector does the SFPG1320C require?

A: The SFPG1320C requires single-mode fiber (SMF) with an LC connector. It will not operate over multi-mode fiber. Maximum supported distance is 20 km at 1310nm wavelength.

Q: What is the operating temperature range for the SFPG1320C?

A: The SFPG1320C operates between 0°C and 70°C. It is a commercial-temperature module and should be installed in a temperature-controlled environment such as a conditioned IDF, MDF, or data center enclosure.

Q: Can the SFPG1320C be used with non-Cisco switches?

A: Yes. The SFPG1320C conforms to IEEE 802.3z 1000BASE-LH standards, which means it will function in any switch port that accepts standard 1000BASE-LH SFP optics — not exclusively Cisco platforms.

Q: What is the power draw of the SFPG1320C?

A: The SFPG1320C consumes less than 1 watt at 3.3V DC, making it one of the lowest-draw options in this transceiver class. This is relevant when populating multi-slot SFP chassis where aggregate power and heat are concerns.

Q: What data rate does the SFPG1320C support?

A: The SFPG1320C supports a maximum data transfer rate of 1.25 Gbps, which delivers a usable 1 Gbps Ethernet throughput accounting for 8b/10b line encoding overhead.

Jerry Tildsen

The spec I keep coming back to on the SFPG1320C is the 20 km reach on single-mode fiber. That's the number that matters when a security integrator is trying to link a perimeter NVR node to a central head-end across a campus and copper stopped being an option about 300 meters ago. At 1310nm on SMF with LC connectors, this module slots straight into the existing fiber plant on most enterprise sites without any media conversion hardware in the path.

Technical Highlights:

• 1.25 Gbps maximum data rate: Delivers a clean 1 Gbps usable Ethernet throughput — enough headroom for aggregating multiple high-bitrate H.265 camera streams without saturating the uplink during simultaneous record and live-view sessions.
• Sub-1W at 3.3V DC: In a 24-port SFP switch fully populated with optics, the difference between <1W modules and 2W+ modules is meaningful — both for chassis power budget and for IDF cabinet cooling load in summer.
• MTBF of 2,722,277 hours: Over 310 years calculated mean time between failures. That figure is why you budget one spare per site rather than planning scheduled replacements — this module should outlive the switch it's installed in.

Deployment Considerations:

• Verify Cisco platform firmware before deploying at scale. The GLC-LH-SMD coding handles vendor ID on most IOS and NX-OS versions, but Cisco's compatibility tables do shift with major IOS releases — one pilot deployment before a 40-port rollout is worth the time.
• Operating range tops out at 70°C — this is a commercial-temp module. Don't mount the host switch in an unconditioned outdoor enclosure or rooftop cabinet that can push past that ceiling in summer months; you'll want an industrial-temp optic for those environments.

The SFPG1320C is the right call for inter-building fiber uplinks in a multi-structure enterprise security deployment — specifically where existing SMF runs to remote IDF closets already terminate in LC panels and you need a cost-effective, standards-compliant transceiver that won't require a Cisco service contract to justify the line item.