What is "low metal content Single Mode Fiber" in J9151AQuick Specs?

[HarveyStephenB]

I just purchased two 3800-24g-2SFP+ switches and want to link them for 10GBE using HP X132 10G SFP+ LC LR
Transceivers (J9151A) over existing SMF.  Approximate physical distance about 450m.

Before I invest in these transceivers I would like explained "low metal content Single Mode Fiber" which is listed as cable type for these transceivers in quick specs.  My SMF is Corning Optical cable.

What is "low metal content Single Mode Fiber" ?  I cannot find a reference anywhere on the web but the HP quick specs.

I do not want to purchase these transceivers if they will not work because my SMF is not "low metal".

P.S. This thread has been moevd from  Switches, Hubs, Modems (Legacy ITRC forum) to ProCurve / ProVision-Based. - Hp Forum Moderator

[Vince-Whirlwind · Accepted solution]

I'd say it's highly unlikely your optical fibre is super-expensive special purpose with metals in it.

J9151 will work on normal singlemode fibre.

[HarveyStephenB]

Cable type:
Low metal content, single-mode fiber-optic, complying with ITU-T G.652
and ISO/IEC 793-2 Type B1;
Maximum distance:
 2m-10km with 9/125 μm single-mode cable
Cable length 2m to 10km
Fiber type Single Mode

is the quick spec for j9151A

The SMF fiber we have installed is Corning Optical FREEDM cable with jacket legends: "12 SM FREEDM OENR (ETL) OFN FT4 (CSA)" whose spec shows it complies with ITU-T G.652 and has core diameter 8.3 μm vs 9 μm.  I believe this to be "normal" and "standard" cable.

I notice looking at datasheets for Cisco 10G SFP+ LC LR transceivers they specify only "standard SMF" with no reference to core diameter.

So will HP support these transceivers on this cable or not?

[HarveyStephenB]

Corrections: "jacket legends: "12 SM FREEDM OFNR (ETL) OFN FT4 (CSA)" and "has core diameter 8.2 μm vs 9 μm."

[Vince-Whirlwind]

Single mode is always 9microm, which is probably why Cisco don't bother mentioning it. Ditto with the "low-metal".

The J9151 will work on normal singlemode fibre.

[HarveyStephenB]

I all single mode is 9microm then why is datasheet (attached) for Corning Optic Freedm states core dia.8.2 microm?  We have  been running 1gb for many years over this cable.

[Vince-Whirlwind]

It's the same thing.

The only time the diameter is interesting is with multimode because some people don't check properly and use 50microm patch leads on 62.5microm structured cable.

[HarveyStephenB]

I got this from HP through an equipment vendor and it is consistent with other research. 

"They won’t have any issues…  The most popular Single Mode fiber is the 8.2 micron and it is commonly known as 9 micron. "

Thank you for your feedback.