A GBIC is a transceiver for gigabit ethernet. The name is an acronym for "gigabit interface converter". A GBIC measures 8.5 mm x 13.4 mm on its exposed edge and fits into a slot about 50 mm deep. By offering a standard, hot swappable electrical interface, one gigabit ethernet port can support the full range of physical media, from copper to 100 km single-mode fiber .
