1000BASE-T copper SFP — RJ-45 over Cat5e/6, not fiber optics
Cisco GLC-T — 1000BASE-T SFP transceiver, 10/100/1000 auto-negotiation, up to 100m
Cisco Part Number: GLC-T
Common aliases / related PIDs: GLC-T= (spare) · successor GLC-TE · NEBS sibling SFP-GE-T
Description: Hot-pluggable SFP providing Gigabit Ethernet over standard copper twisted-pair (RJ-45), IEEE 802.3ab 1000BASE-T
This is the copper Gigabit SFP — the one that turns an SFP cage into an RJ-45 port so you can reuse Cat5e/Cat6 plant instead of pulling fiber. It auto-negotiates 10 / 100 / 1000 Mbps and supports Auto MDI/MDIX, so straight or crossover cabling is handled by the PHY.
Cisco ended new sales of the GLC-T in 2017 and names GLC-TE as the current replacement (wider temperature band). We still stock genuine new GLC-T for platforms and BOMs that specifically call that PID. If your environment is hotter/colder than commercial (0–70°C), or your platform matrix prefers GLC-TE, that is usually the better buy — see the table below.
Which One Do I Need?
| Going into |
You need |
| Cisco switch/router SFP port that needs Gigabit over existing copper (Cat5e/6), commercial temp |
GLC-T — this product |
| Same use case, but extended temperature (−5 to 85°C) or a platform that lists GLC-TE |
GLC-TE — Cisco’s current 1000BASE-T SFP |
| NEBS 3 ESD / carrier-hardened copper SFP requirement |
SFP-GE-T historically filled this role; Cisco’s replacement path is GLC-TE — confirm on your matrix
|
| Fiber plant (MMF or SMF) into the same SFP cage |
GLC-SX-MMD (MMF) or GLC-LH-SMD (SMF) — not this module
|
| 10G over copper into an SFP+ cage |
SFP-10G-T-X — not this module (GLC-T is 1G only) |
Copper vs fiber is the first fork. GLC-T has an RJ-45. If your cable is LC fiber, you want SX/LH optics, not this part.
GLC-T vs GLC-TE is mostly temperature and lifecycle. Same 1000BASE-T, same 100m Cat5e/6 story. GLC-TE is the living PID with extended temp; GLC-T is the commercial-temp part many legacy BOMs still name.
Technical Specifications
| Specification |
Value |
| Cisco Part Number |
GLC-T |
| Form Factor |
SFP (hot-pluggable) |
| Ethernet Standard |
IEEE 802.3ab 1000BASE-T (also 10/100 via auto-negotiation when the host supports it) |
| Data Rate |
1 Gbps Gigabit Ethernet (line rate up to 1.25 Gb/s class) |
| Connector |
RJ-45 |
| Cable / Reach |
Up to 100m (328 ft) over Cat5 / Cat5e / Cat6 UTP |
| Auto-Negotiation |
10/100/1000 · Auto MDI/MDIX |
| DOM / DDM |
Not typically provided on GLC-T copper SFPs |
| Power |
~1.05–1.2W class (host- and cable-dependent) |
| Operating Temperature |
0°C to 70°C (commercial) |
| Host Platforms |
Wide Cisco Catalyst / Nexus / ISR / ASR coverage historically — always verify on the current Cisco transceiver compatibility matrix for your exact platform and IOS/NX-OS release |
| Successor PID |
GLC-TE (extended temperature; Cisco EOS replacement for GLC-T and SFP-GE-T) |
| Standards |
IEEE 802.3ab, SFP MSA, RoHS |
| Warranty |
Lifetime, backed by Resilient Tec |
| Condition |
New |
Good to Know
-
This is not a fiber optic. No LC connector, no wavelength, no OM3/OM4 story. If the ticket says “SFP for the fiber uplink,” stop — you want SX or LH.
-
GLC-TE is the current Cisco copper SFP. Same job, extended temp. We stock new GLC-TE and refurbished GLC-TE when that is what the matrix wants.
-
SFP-GE-T was the NEBS 3 ESD copper sibling (also EOS). Do not treat the three PIDs as randomly interchangeable on every platform — check the matrix.
-
1G only. A 10GBASE-T SFP+ (SFP-10G-T-X) is a different cage class and speed. Dropping a GLC-T into a 10G copper requirement will not give you 10G.
- Some hosts only bring copper SFPs up when the port is configured for the right speed / media type. A “link down” is often config, not a dead module — tell us the platform if you are stuck.
- Need the same PID used? We also list a refurbished GLC-T when new stock is not required.
Quick Checklist — Is This the Right Module?
You have a Cisco SFP cage that needs Gigabit Ethernet over copper. Your cable is Cat5e or Cat6 with an RJ-45. Runs are 100m or shorter. Your BOM or platform matrix accepts GLC-T at commercial temperature (0–70°C). You are not trying to light fiber or run 10G.
Availability
In stock at Resilient Tec · Additional units typically available on short lead time.
Outfitting a closet or stocking spare copper SFPs? Tell us platform and quantity — we can mix GLC-T and GLC-TE to match your matrix. Request a quote →
Warranty: lifetime, backed by Resilient Tec — not a manufacturer term. When a module fails you reach a named seller in the US, not a ticket queue.
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Related Guides
Lifetime warranty — how Resilient Tec backs what we sell
Product guides
Request a quote for copper SFP fills and spare kits
