Compact optical transceivers including thermal distributing and electromagnetic shielding systems and methods therefor

A method of cooling a data transfer system in combination with an optical transceiver, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing an optical transceiver having a form factor and having an end portion that is insertable within a wall opening in a wall forming a portion of an enclosure defining an interior space of said data transfer system, said wall opening having a form factor corresponding to said form factor of said optical transceiver and designed to receive said optical transceiver, at least a portion of said optical transceiver being positioned within the interior of said data transfer system when said end portion is inserted in said wall opening;
• and
• ventilating ambient air over a major surface portion of the optical transceiver by mounting said end portion to the wall opening so that at least one vent is formed within confines of the wall opening which allows air to pass therethrough and over the transceiver, said air passing between said interior space of said data transfer system and ambient space external to said enclosure defining said interior space of said data transfer system, whereby the transceiver and internals of the data transfer system are cooled.