THE SMALL FORM-FACTOR PLUGGABLE TRANSCEIVER (SFP) IS A COMPACT, HOT-PLUGGABLE NETWORK INTERFACE MODULE USED FOR BOTH TELECOMMUNICATION AND DATA COMMUNICATION APPLICATIONS. THE ADVANTAGE OF USING SFPS INSTEAD OF FIXED INTERFACES (E.G. MODULAR CONNECTORS IN ETHERNET SWITCHES) IS THAT THE INTERFACE PORT CAN BE EQUIPPED WITH ANY SUITABLE TYPE OF TRANSCEIVER AS NEEDED.