The Fiber Driver® SFP Multimode Extender from MRV Communications increases the reach of Gigabit Ethernet and Fibre Channel data links to distances far beyond the defined standard. Pioneered by MRV Communications, this award-winning technology allows multi-mode (MM) fiber previously used for FDDI, Fast Ethernet, and other legacy protocols to support high-speed communication backbones. The performance and reliability of the Multimode Extender (MMX) technology has been proven in installations throughout the world since first appearing in the Fiber Driver Gigabit Multimode Extender module.

Typically, Gigabit Ethernet and Fibre Channel transmissions distances over multi-mode fiber are limited to 550 meters, far shorter than the 2-kilometer standard for multi-mode FDDI or Fast Ethernet. This limitation forces network managers to abandon existing multi-mode fibers and install single-mode fibers for greater link ranges with Gigabit-speed support. MMX technology, available exclusively in the Fiber Driver product line, gives network administrators another option.

Used in pairs or in combination with other MMX-enabled Fiber Driver products, the Fiber Driver SFP Multimode Extenders carry Gigabit-speed protocols on existing 62.5µm or 50µm multi-mode fiber plant to 2 km, or as far as 4 km depending on the grade and condition of the fiber media. The modules support all standard SFP interfaces, use plug-and-play functionality, and are hot-swappable.