5 Key Differences Between LR and SR SFPs for Modern Network

5 Key Differences Between LR and SR SFPs for Modern Network Uplinks

by with One Comment CommTech

In today’s rapidly scaling enterprise and data center networks, choosing the right fiber transceiver is critical. Among the most common types are LR (Long Range) and SR (Short Range) SFPs. This guide breaks down the 5 key differences between LR and SR SFPs to help network engineers and IT professionals make informed decisions.

1. Transmission Distance

  • SR SFP (Short Range): Typically supports up to 300 meters using OM3 multimode fiber.
  • LR SFP (Long Range): Designed for distances up to 10 kilometers over single-mode fiber (SMF).

SR modules are perfect for in-building links, while LR SFPs are ideal for building-to-building or WAN uplinks.

2. Wavelength

  • SR SFP: Operates at 850 nm wavelength.
  • LR SFP: Operates at 1310 nm wavelength.

These wavelength differences affect how data is transmitted across the fiber type and distance.

3. Fiber Type Compatibility

  • SR SFPs: Work with Multimode Fiber (MMF), usually OM2, OM3, or OM4.
  • LR SFPs: Require Single-Mode Fiber (SMF).

Tip: Use color-coded cables (orange/aqua for MMF, yellow for SMF) to visually track fiber types.

4. Use Case Scenarios

  • SR SFP: Common in data centers, server racks, and short-distance campus networks.
  • LR SFP: Used in enterprise backbones, metro Ethernet, and data center interconnects.

5. How to Identify LR vs SR SFPs

Physically or via CLI:

  • Check the label for terms like “SR”, “SX”, or 850 nm” (SR), and “LR”, “LX”, or 1310 nm” (LR).
  • On Cisco, Juniper, or MikroTik devices, use commands like show interfaces transceiver or display transceiver.

show interfaces transceiver

display transceiver

Vendor Clues:

  • Some vendors color-code pull-tabs: blue/beige for SR, yellow for LR.

Real-World Example:

A data center administrator setting up a spine-leaf architecture may deploy SR SFPs between top-of-rack switches and LR SFPs from aggregation switches to a data center interconnect (DCI).

LR (Long Range) and SR (Short Range) are optical transceivers used for different distances and fiber types in a network.

LR SFP is ideal for long distances, supporting up to 10 km on single-mode fiber.

No, SR SFPs are designed specifically for multimode fiber.

They’re used in data centers and short-distance intra-building connections.

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18

5 VLAN Types You Must Know With Practical Use Cases for Networks

by with No Comment CommTech

What Are VLAN Types?

Let’s cut to the chase: VLANs help you divide a single switch into smart zones without extra wires. Think of it like having separate rooms in a flat, each with its own purpose. That’s exactly why these 5 VLAN Types matter if you have IP cameras, smart gadgets, or a dual-ISP home setup.

🧱 1. Default VLAN

  • What it is: The “catch-all” network that every port belongs to when you first power on a switch.
  • Why watch out: It’s like leaving every room’s door unlocked. Once you’re ready, change it to avoid open access.

📦 2. Data VLAN

  • What it handles: Daily stuff you use PCs, smart TVs, phones.
  • Why it matters: Keeps your everyday devices separate and secure.
  • Example: VLAN 10 (Work Devices) using 192.168.10.0/24 is a perfect start.

📞 3. Voice VLAN

  • What it serves: Call and conference traffic Zoom, SIP phones, intercoms.
  • Why it’s special: Made for smooth, uninterrupted calls thanks to built-in QoS.

🛠️ 4. Management VLAN

  • Purpose: A private lane for admin tasks logging into your ER605, switch GUI, etc.
  • Pro tip: Only your admin laptop or PC should be on this VLAN. Others don’t need access.

🌐 5. Guest VLAN

  • Created for: Visitors, clients, or contractors using your Wi-Fi.
  • What it does: Gives internet access but strips out access to your LAN and internal drives.
  • Example: VLAN 40, set to 192.168.40.0/24, keeps non-trusted devices off your critical gear.

💡 Real-Life Example from My Mumbai Setup

PortDeviceVLAN TypeConfig Type
1TP-Link RouterAll VLANsTagged (Trunk)
2LaptopManagementUntagged
3CCTV CameraData VLANUntagged
4IoT DevicesData VLANUntagged
5Guest Wi-Fi APGuest VLANTagged

This simple layout changed our network overnight no more shutdowns because an IoT update flooded the Wi-Fi.

For More Information Click on Below

🔐 Why These VLANs Matter for Indian Smart Homes

  • No CCTV peeking at guest traffic.
  • IoT gadgets stay isolated no risk to your main devices.
  • Your setup grows easily, with room for Pi, edge compute, or dual WAN.
  • Security stays tight, without sacrificing ease of use.

Knowing these five VLAN Types is a small step that brings big changes from keeping Netflix streaming smooth during meetings, to locking down access for guests and smart devices. It’s the foundational move for any Indian home or small network aiming for simplicity, speed, and safety.

16

Automation Scripts for Router Provisioning

by with No Comment CommTech

Why Router Provisioning Still Wastes Your Time

If you’re an Indian network engineer or ISP field tech, you’ve probably spent hours manually configuring routers—copy pasting commands into terminals, checking logs, and debugging silly typos. Sounds familiar?

This is where automation scripts for router provisioning come into play. These are simple scripts shell, Python, Ansible, or even Expect that configure routers in seconds, without the drama.

Whether you’re deploying 50 TP-Link routers in a society broadband project or rolling out enterprise routers at a campus in Bangalore, automation saves your day.

What Exactly Is Router Provisioning?

In simple words, router provisioning is the process of setting up a new router with all the correct settings:

  • WAN/LAN IP configuration
  • DNS settings
  • Enabling DHCP or Static routes
  • VLAN tagging
  • Pushing firmware updates
  • Assigning credentials and SNMP traps

Done manually, this takes time and is error-prone. Automated provisioning means you write the script once and reuse it forever.

Tools You Can Use for Router Automation

If you think automation needs high end gear or expensive platforms, think again. Here’s what works well in Indian setups:

ToolUse Case
Bash ScriptsCLI automation on OpenWRT/Linux routers
AnsibleBulk provisioning for enterprise routers
Python + Netmiko/NAPALMAPI based config push on Cisco/Juniper
ExpectAutomate telnet/SSH interactive sessions

Most local ISPs, system integrators, and college networks can easily start with Bash or Expect.

Example Script 1: Basic Router Provisioning

#!/usr/bin/expect -f

spawn ssh admin@192.168.0.1
expect "password:"
send "admin123\r"
expect "#"
send "configure terminal\r"
send "hostname TP-Router\r"
send "exit\r"
send "exit\r"

#!/bin/bash // ***** Expect Script for Router Login Automation *****

echo "Provisioning TP-Link Router..."

ssh admin@192.168.0.1 <<EOF
uci set network.lan.ipaddr='192.168.1.1'
uci set network.lan.netmask='255.255.255.0'
uci commit
/etc/init.d/network restart
EOF

echo "Provisioning complete."

Why Techies Are Using This More?

  • No need to touch 100 routers individually
  • Reduces technician training cost
  • Cuts down setup time from 30 minutes to 3
  • Saves you from accidental misconfiguration

With the explosion of broadband demand in Indian towns, WISPs and system integrators are waking up to the power of scripting.

Stop Doing It Manually

You’re not working in 2010. It’s 2025 and the networks you manage deserve better. With a few reusable automation scripts for router provisioning, you can eliminate hours of grunt work and avoid silly mistakes that cause huge outages.

Want a jumpstart? We’re building a free GitHub repo with ready-to-use provisioning scripts for Indian routers (TP-Link, D-Link, Netgear, MikroTik, and more). Stay tuned at TechieBano.com.