We experimentally demonstrated DFB lasers containing an active distributed reflector that has the same waveguide core as the active section. Although without current injection, the distributed reflector will be optically pumped to near transparency by the laser itself, and therefore can provide relatively high reflection to the laser. The laser, fabricated with processing steps similar to standard DFB lasers, has achieved 10-mA threshold current, 0.38-mW/mA slope efficiency, above 55-dB side mode suppression ratio, and 24-GHz modulation bandwidth at 60-mA current injection. 28-Gb/s transmission over 10-km single-mode fibers with a power penalty of less-than 0.5 dB has been demonstrated as well.