Introduction: Ruijie GE-SFP-LH40-SM1550-BIDI at a glance
Ruijie GE-SFP-LH40-SM1550-BIDIis a 1.25 Gbps SFP (mini-GBIC) optical transceiver designed for single-mode fibre links that need a compact, reliable solution with minimal cabling. This bi-directional (BIDI) module transmits at 1550 nm and receives at 1310 nm over a single fibre using an LC simplex connector, supporting reach up to 40 km. Its hot-pluggable SFP form factor, support for Digital Diagnostic Monitoring (DDM/DOM), low power consumption (≤ 1.5 W) and compliance with IEEE 802.3 and SFP MSA standards make it a practical choice for enterprise, campus and metro interconnects where fibre availability is constrained or where reducing fibre count is a priority.
Key features in brief
- 1.25 Gbps (1000BASE-X / 1000BASE-LX/LH) throughput
- BIDI single-fibre operation: TX 1550 nm / RX 1310 nm with LC simplex connector
- Optical reach up to 40 km over single-mode fibre (UPC finish)
- DDM/DOM support for real-time monitoring of optical parameters
- Hot-pluggable SFP form factor and low power consumption (≤ 1.5 W)
- Standards compliance: IEEE 802.3, SFP/SFF MSA; RoHS and Class 1 laser safety
Detailed specifications and benefits
The GE-SFP-LH40-SM1550-BIDI is engineered around the well-established SFP form factor (approx. 56.5 × 13.5 × 8.5 mm, ~35 g) and delivers predictable single-mode optical performance. Its transmitter is a DFB laser and the receiver is a PIN photodiode, which together provide a robust link with a bit error rate (BER) specification of ≤ 1.0E-12. Operating temperature spans 0 °C to 70 °C with storage range −40 °C to +85 °C, making the module suitable for typical indoor networking environments.
Key technical specifications (concise):
- Model: GE-SFP-LH40-SM1550-BIDI
- Data rate: 1.25 Gbps (1000BASE-X)
- Connector: LC simplex (BIDI)
- Wavelength: TX 1550 nm / RX 1310 nm
- Optical reach: Up to 40 km on SMF (UPC)
- DDM/DOM: Supported
- Power consumption: ≤ 1.5 W
- Standards: IEEE 802.3, SFP/SFF MSA; RoHS; Class 1 laser
Benefits at a glance:
- Single-fibre operation reduces fibre plant complexity and cost where only one fibre is available or where spares are limited.
- DDM/DOM provides real-time telemetry (temperature, bias current, TX power, RX power, voltage) that helps with troubleshooting and proactive maintenance.
- Hot-pluggability and low power draw simplify deployment and minimize rack heat load.
- Compatibility with industry-standard SFP slots makes the module usable across many switch and router platforms (check vendor compatibility lists for guaranteed interoperability).
Important: the specifications provided note an End-of-Sale announcement for international markets, with last sale date 10 Jul 2025 and support through 2030 per vendor notice. The record also indicates stock is currently 0. For organisations planning multi-year deployments, this lifecycle information is critical: you should confirm available inventory, consider stocking spares, or evaluate alternative modules with a longer expected availability horizon. The listed suggested price is USD 69.99 (cost price example USD 57.85) but actual prices may vary and limited stock may lead to price fluctuations.
Use cases and scenarios where this product excels
The Ruijie GE-SFP-LH40-SM1550-BIDI is particularly useful in scenarios where fibre count is limited, conduit space is constrained, or the cost or disruption of installing additional fibres is prohibitive. Typical use cases include:
- Enterprise and campus backbone links where existing single-mode cabling between buildings uses a single fibre and a single fibre solution reduces installation overhead.
- Metro interconnects or ring topologies where point-to-point links must be deployed quickly over existing fibre with limited pairs available.
- Data centre edge uplinks to aggregation switches when operators want to halve the number of fibre strands compared with dual-fibre SFPs.
- Remote site connectivity where long reach (up to 40 km) is needed but 10G equipment is not required; this module covers typical distances between small POPs and central sites.
- Network upgrades where reuse of installed single-fibre segments is preferred to avoid costly civil works.
Beyond the simple economy of fibre count, the module’s DDM/DOM support helps operations teams monitor link health remotely and anticipate issues before they become outages, which is valuable in distributed network environments.
Comparisons with similar products in the market
When evaluating BIDI transceivers, it helps to compare three broad categories: single-fibre BIDI SFPs like this Ruijie unit, traditional dual-fibre LX SFPs, and higher-speed alternatives (e.g., SFP+ 10 G modules).
- Versus standard dual-fibre 1000BASE-LX SFPs: Dual-fibre LX modules use separate transmit and receive fibres (typically TX/RX at the same wavelength and paired fibre). They are simple and widely available, but they require two fibres per link. The Ruijie BIDI reduces fibre usage by half at the cost of requiring complementary wavelength pairing at each end (one side TX 1550 / RX 1310, the other TX 1310 / RX 1550). If fibre quantity is the limiting factor, BIDI is preferred.
- Versus other BIDI models: Many vendors offer 1.25 G BIDI SFPs with similar reach and wavelength pairs (1310/1550 or 1490/1310). Differences typically come down to interoperabilty guarantees, warranty, lifecycle support, and vendor support. The Ruijie module offers DDM and a familiar SFP form factor; however, its End-of-Sale status means buyers should weigh long-term availability vs. immediate requirements.
- Versus higher-speed modules (e.g., 10G SFP+ or DWDM/CWDM solutions): If bandwidth requirements exceed 1 Gbps, those alternatives are more appropriate. For purely conserving fibre count at higher speeds, WDM (CWDM/DWDM) systems and 10G BIDI modules are options, but they add complexity and cost. The GE-SFP-LH40-BIDI is a cost-effective choice for legacy Gigabit use cases and where infrastructure upgrades are not feasible.
Customer testimonials and reviews
No formal customer testimonials were provided with the product information. That said, typical feedback for 1.25 G BIDI SFPs from network professionals usually highlights a handful of recurring themes:
- "Reduced fibre count made deployment faster and cheaper" — installers appreciate the ability to reuse single fibres or avoid running additional pairs between buildings.
- "DDM helped us detect failing optics early" — operations teams value the remote telemetry for troubleshooting intermittent losses caused by connectors, splices or contamination.
- "Plug-and-play on most switches, but check vendor compatibility" — interoperability is generally good across modern switches, though some vendors require specific firmware or approved part numbers.
If you require verified customer reviews for procurement, request references from the reseller or vendor, or pilot the module in your environment before mass deployment. Given the End-of-Sale notice, you should also validate supply and spares strategy with your supplier.
Safety, compliance and installation notes
The module is Class 1 laser compliant and RoHS certified. Standard fibre handling and laser safety practices should be observed: never look into a live fibre, keep connectors clean, use proper dust caps, and follow the vendor’s installation guide. For critical installations, use trained fibre technicians to perform splicing and connector work.
Conclusion: Why choose the Ruijie GE-SFP-LH40-SM1550-BIDI?
The Ruijie GE-SFP-LH40-SM1550-BIDI offers a practical and economical solution for single-mode, point-to-point Gigabit links up to 40 km where fibre resources are constrained or where reducing cable complexity is desired. Its DFB transmitter, PIN receiver, DDM/DOM capability, low power consumption and hot-pluggable SFP format make it straightforward to deploy and operate in enterprise, campus and metro environments. However, buyers must weigh lifecycle considerations: the module is listed as End-of-Sale in international markets with limited stock, so confirm availability and plan for spares or alternatives for long-term deployment.
In short, for organisations needing a reliable 1 G BIDI transceiver now — especially where fibre conservation and remote diagnostics matter — the Ruijie GE-SFP-LH40-SM1550-BIDI is a strong candidate. For longer-term procurement or large-scale rollouts, validate stock and support timelines or consider alternative modules with ongoing production.
