These compact, hot-swappable devices convert electrical signals into optical signals (and vice versa), facilitating high-performance, long-distance data transmission across data centers, metro networks, telecom infrastructure, and aerospace systems. The answer is nuanced—optical transceivers combined with switches form a complete optical switching system. Today's data center Ethernet switches are essentially optical communication devices, as the entire system operates on optical transmission principles. The name itself is a combination of "transmitter" and "receiver," reflecting its dual function. Using fiber optic technology.