SFP functionality extender

1. Apparatus configured to provide a functionality to a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) module having a SFP connector that may be plugged into a cage socket of an SFP cage , the apparatus comprising:

a connector having substantially the same interface as the SFP connector of the SFP module and configured to be inserted into the cage socket into which the SFP connector may be plugged;

functionality circuitry that is electrically connected to the connector and provides the functionality; and

a socket electrically connected to the functionality circuitry, having substantially the same interface as the cage socket to receive the SFP connector of the SFP module and to electrically connect the SFP module to the functionality circuitry.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the functionality circuitry comprises electric circuitry, and/or a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), and/or an Application Specific Integrated Circuit, and/or a Central processing Unit (CPU).

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the functionality circuitry is configured to generate dying-gasp messages.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the functionality circuitry comprises a mini-fan to cool the SFP.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the functionality comprises functionality of an Ethernet Network Interface Device (NID) or Ethernet Network Termination Unit (NTU).

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the functionality circuitry is configured to provide packet inspection, statistics collection, packet header editing, packet insertion and removal, and/or traffic conditioning.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein packet inspection detects anomalous or potentially malicious packets, or classifies packets and collects statistics regarding applications in use, or monitors and optionally controls traffic flows.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein packet header editing is employed for packet marking, manipulation of Ethernet VLAN tags, manipulation of MPLS label stacks, or protocol conversion.

9. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein packet insertion and deletion performs Fault Management or Operations Administration and Maintenance (OAM).

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the functionality circuitry is configured to pass most packets transparently from a conventional SFP to a cage socket, but distinguish OAM or performance measurement packets.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the functionality circuitry is configured to act as a reflector or responder.

12. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein traffic conditioning shapes traffic to comply with Ethernet bandwidth profiles defined in Metro Ethernet Forum Technical Specification MEF-10.2.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the functionality circuitry is comprised in a PCB.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the PCB comprises the connector configured to be inserted into the cage socket.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the PCB comprises a connector plugged into the socket that electrically connects the functionality circuitry to the socket.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 and comprising a cowling that houses a region of the PCB comprising the connector configured to be inserted into the cage socket.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the cowling is formed having slots into which the PCB seats.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the PCB is held in place between and by the socket and the cowling.

19. Apparatus according to claim 1 configured to be connected mechanically and electrically to another apparatus according to claim 1 by plugging the connector of the apparatus into the socket of the other apparatus.