Difference between 1gig port vs 1gig SFP port?

[the-lebowski]

I have some 10/100/1000 2960s that have 4 one gig ethernet SFPs but sure how they would behave any differently then the the other 48 ethernet 10/100/1000 ports?

Anyone know?

[Antonio Knox]

You have more flexibility with fiber.  Since it uses lasers instead of electromagnetic pulses, fiber is not susceptible to interference, noise and crosstalk like copper is.  Additionally, you have a 100 meter distance limitation with copper that you do not have with fiber, and typically a well terminated and well conditioned fiber suffers less loss. 

[the-lebowski]

Thanks Antonio, so interference and distance are the two differences?  Also the cost of the SFP as well.

[Antonio Knox]

That is correct.  Those are the two general differences outside of the physical medium itself.  Fiber does have it's disadvantages, such as being more sensitive to sharp bending, more sensitive to being pinched and such, but most of these weaknesses are mitigated with good conduit.