Allied Telesis AT-MMC2000/SP-960 – TAA Gigabit Copper to SFP Media Converter

Overview

The Allied Telesis AT-MMC2000/SP-960 is a TAA-compliant media and rate converter that bridges 10/100/1000BASE-T copper Ethernet to 100/1000BASE-X fiber via an open SFP slot. The -960 suffix confirms Trade Agreements Act compliance for U.S. federal and government procurement. The converter accepts any standard SFP module, giving network administrators the flexibility to select the fiber type, wavelength, and reach that matches their installed plant. Auto-negotiation is supported on the copper interface, and the unit handles rate conversion between Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet speeds as needed.

Description

Media converters fill a critical gap in network infrastructure when copper-based endpoints need to connect to fiber backbone segments. The AT-MMC2000/SP-960 handles this transition at both Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps) and Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Mbps) speeds, with automatic rate conversion when the two sides operate at different speeds within the supported range.

The SFP port accepts 100BASE-X and 1000BASE-X SFP modules, providing deployment flexibility. Organizations can choose SFP modules for multimode shortwave, singlemode longwave, BiDi, CWDM, or other fiber variants depending on the fiber plant already in place. The SFP module is purchased separately, allowing cost optimization when large quantities are deployed.

On the copper side, the RJ-45 port auto-negotiates speed and duplex with the connected device — no manual configuration is required for standard deployments. Link fault pass-through functionality propagates link state between the copper and fiber interfaces, allowing upstream network management systems to detect cable or equipment failures accurately.

TAA compliance under the -960 designation makes this converter eligible for U.S. federal procurement under GSA schedules and other government contract vehicles without requiring additional sourcing justification. Creation Networks carries this product and can assist with SFP module selection. Visit creationnetworks.net for details.

Key Features

• TAA Compliant (-960): Meets Trade Agreements Act requirements, making this unit eligible for U.S. federal, state, and local government procurement under GSA and similar programs.
• Open SFP Slot: Accepts any standard 100BASE-X or 1000BASE-X SFP module, giving full flexibility to match fiber type, connector format, and reach to existing infrastructure.
• Rate Conversion: Converts between 10/100/1000BASE-T copper and 100/1000BASE-X fiber, handling speed mismatches automatically without manual intervention.
• Auto-Negotiation on Copper: The RJ-45 port auto-negotiates speed and duplex with the connected endpoint, simplifying installation in mixed-speed environments.
• Link Fault Pass-Through: Propagates link-state changes across the copper-to-fiber boundary, enabling accurate fault detection and alarm reporting from network management systems.
• Compact Form Factor: Sized for flexible deployment — can be used standalone on a desktop or integrated into a compatible Allied Telesis media converter chassis for rack-mounted installations.

Typical Applications

• Government Facility Network Extensions: Extending copper-based workstation connections onto fiber backbone segments in federal buildings where TAA compliance is a procurement requirement.
• IP Camera to Fiber Aggregation: Converting the copper output of IP surveillance cameras to fiber for long-distance runs back to a video management server without signal degradation.
• Copper Endpoint to Fiber Switch Uplink: Connecting copper-only devices such as legacy servers or industrial equipment to fiber switch ports without replacing the endpoint hardware.
• Wiring Closet Fiber Extension: Bridging the gap between copper patch panels and fiber uplinks in wiring closets where structured cabling terminates in RJ-45 but the backbone is fiber.
• SFP Module Reuse: Allowing organizations to deploy a consistent SFP module type across media converters and switches, reducing spare-parts inventory complexity.

Technical Specifications

FAQ