In reviewing today’s industrial network switches, one of the features that stand out are built-in SFP slots accompanying the standard RJ45 ports. SFP is short for Small Form-factor Pluggable, and it’s been an industry workhorse for nearly two decades. As a standardized network interface, SFP technology enables switches with SFP module slots and ports to connect to network components, either optically or electrically, at distances up to 160km (99.4 miles).