Protector for enhanced small form factor pluggable connectors

An apparatus comprising:

• a first protector sized to fit around a small form factor pluggable plug, wherein the first protector comprises:
• a first ring defining a first aperture, wherein a surface of the first aperture is rubberized;
• and
• a key formed in an outside perimeter of the first ring, wherein the key comprises a feature that protrudes from the outside perimeter of the first ring;
• and
• a second protector, separate from the first protector and sized to frame a small form factor pluggable socket, wherein the second protector comprises:
• a second ring defining a second aperture;
• and
• a lock formed in an inside perimeter of the second ring, wherein the lock comprises an indentation in the inside perimeter of the second ring that has a similar size and a similar shape as the feature.

An apparatus comprising:

• a small form factor pluggable plug for connecting to a small form factor pluggable connector;
• and
• a protector fitted onto an end of the small form factor pluggable plug, the protector comprising:
• a first ring defining a first aperture in which the small form factor pluggable plug fits;
• and
• a key formed in an outside perimeter of the first ring, wherein the key is sized and shaped to engage a lock on a second protector that is installed on a small form factor pluggable connector.