A pluggable active optical module includes: electrical connector to communicate electrical signals; optical adapter(s) to communicate optical signals over optical fiber(s); storage device interface configured to contact corresponding storage device interface on optical fiber(s); transmitter optical assembly to convert electrical signals received from electrical connector into optical signals for communication by optical adapter(s) over optical fiber(s); a receiver optical assembly to convert optical signals received from optical adapter(s) to electrical signals for communication by electrical connector; controller to control transmitter optical assembly and receiver optical assembly; programmable processor coupled to storage device interface and first contact(s) of electrical connector and that accesses physical layer management information from storage device in optical fiber(s) through storage device interface and provides physical layer management information to host device connected to electrical connector; and switch between second contact of electrical connector and ground that selectively connects second contact of electrical connector to ground.