Compatibility Issues of Cisco Compatible SFP module

There are some compatibility issues that I have to solved when installing a Third Party Cisco Compatible SFP modules into the switches.

Q: I am trying to work out which Third Party Cisco Compatible SFP Transceiver might work in an Aerohive switch. Maybe somebody here already tried?

A: The answer is that most should work. Cisco normally buys their components from the more reputable brands like Agilent, and the best of my knowledge, most Cisco (if not all) SFPs should work just fine. For example, GLC-T module Cisco 1000BASE-T SFP, Cisco SFP-10G-SR, I can reach the Aerohive switch, and seems to be working well. So I suggest you not buy no-name SFPs that have no warranty, but in general any reputable brand should work fine.

Q: The 10G SFPs I ordered directly from Aerohive were manufactured by source photonics, so it looks like even the ones that are Aerohive branded are still Third Party optics?

A: Because this is exactly the same with all vendors of all networking equipment. Optics are manufactured elsewhere and simply branded. The APs are not physically constructed by Aerohive ether, those are by ODM companies like Senao. This is the same ones with most vendors. Because of commoditisation of parts, the key differentiator is today in the software and the spec that the ODM is asked to work to. Most people just purchase a few of the 'supported' optics to swap in when the need arises to open a support case. Actually it seems to be a method of extortion by various vendors when mixed with as much FUD stirring as they can manage. There are certainly low quality optics out there that don't work nicely or have high failure rates, but compatibility issues are nearly always deliberately imposed.

A quick correction, Cisco and other vendors actually do design and build their APs. The fact that ODMs manufacture them does not mean that they are just buying Cisco and other vendors APs off the shelf. Most APs use reference designs for the CPU etc, but to build a reliable AP, Cisco need to own the RF side and they do. They design their own radio modules.

Another Issue about SFP module compatibility:

I just received and installed an Aerohive SR2124P switch and I have installed a 10G SFP+ SR optic into the switch, but the media and type are showing "unknown" for the optic. Is that normal for the 10G optics to show in this way? Currently I do not have an 10gig Aerohive original SFP+. I have installed a 3rd party 10G SFP+, and the optic links, and passes traffic with no issue (even though it is not an Aerohive SFP+). Since it shows "unknown" in the switch, I was just curious to see if any Aerohive Original (which I believe is a Source Photonics optic) would show up differently in the machine. I have used both Aerohive and HP modules both 1gb and 10gbe SFP+ SR with no issues, literally just attach it in. If another brand, it's possible the GBIX is at fault. Has anyone ever tried it?

More FAQs about SFP module, please visit Fiber Opitc Transceiver Solutions.

Fake SFP and the Third Party SFP

It appears to be an old topic that whether using compatible SFP transceiver is reliable. We have previously discussed this topic couple of days ago. For certain, the reply is affirmative. In this paper we discuss Faked SFP and the Third Party SFP. As examples, there are Cisco SFP module and Brocade SFP module.

It Is A Faked SFP?

Like a break pad an SFP is somewhat a consumable. Light is converted into an electric signal and vice versa, produces heat and the components wear out over time. Some sooner, some later. When you bought the SFPs from Cisco for a switch under Cisco warranty or maintenance, broken SFPs will be substituted for free. However, if you simply decide to purchase an SFP, you will find after having a quick web search that there are lots of supplier out there providing the same SFP for a much cheaper price than Cisco. And with "the same SFP" I mean they provide exactly the same Cisco part number - for example SFP-GE-L . That's an Cisco 1000BASE-LX SFP 1310nm 10km EXT DDM Transceiver Module.

Really The Same SFP?

Absolutely not - even though they claim it to be the same. Their usual explanation is, that all these SFPs are coming from the same manufacturer anyway. SFPs are built using open standards based on T11 and for that reason they must be compatible per se. I can tell from several occasions: That's not true. There is obviously more than one SFP manufacturer and I'm sure each of you know a handful offhand. In addition: Even in times before 8G there were SFPs working much better with certain switches than others.

Utilizing the 8G platform Brocade decided to offer Brocade branded SFPs and restricted their switches to only support them and to refuse others (beside of very few exceptions for CWDM SFPs). So Brocade took control over which SFPs can be used and they were able to fine tune their ASICs to allow better signal handling and transmission. To enforce that the switch checks the vendor information from the SFP to determine if it's a Brocade branded one. Cisco does the same thing for the SFPs in their switches.

Faked SFP vs Third Party SFP

First, we must realize that Third Party SFP isn't faked SFP. If you are seeking further savings on your own network, consider Third Party SFP. When you purchase from a vendor with their own in-house shop, and guaranteed warranty, you get a purchase that's as reliable as new, at a fraction of the original costs. In my opinion, if you have enough budget, It is best to buy the original one. It doesn’t mean that the compatible one is as not good as the original one but you could save more time in thinking about this question. If you care about the cost, compatible one is the best choice, I suggest you choose the OEM manufacturers.

OEM manufacturers Recommendation

Fiberstore is a OEM manufacturer that provide customized solutions for fiber optics needs, As a Cisco OEM SFP transceiver provider, they offer a series of Cisco comaptible SFP modules which can be equivalent to Cisco GLC-T, Cisco GLC-SX-MM, Cisco GLC-LH-SM, Cisco GLC-ZX-SM, and Cisco CWDM SFP, Cisco DWDM SFP, etc. All their SFP transceivers are 100% compatible with major brands as follows and backed by a lifetime warranty.

Cisco Switch Controllers Accepted these SFP Modules

A distribution system port connects the controller to a neighbor switch and is used as the data path between these two devices. This paper talk about a few common methods on the models that have these options.

Cisco 4402 controllers have two Gigabit Ethernet distribution system ports, each of which is capable of managing up to 48 access points (AP). Cisco 4404 controllers have four Gigabit Ethernet distribution system ports, each of which is capable of managing up to 48 APs per port. The 4404-25, 4404-50, and 4404-100 models allow a total of 25, 50, or 100 APs to join the controller. The Gigabit Ethernet ports on the 4402 and 4404 controllers accept these SX/LC/T small form-factor plug-in (SFP) modules:

• 1000BASE-SX SFP modules, which provide a 1000-Mbps wired connection to a network through an 850nm (SX) fiber-optic link using an LC physical connector
• 1000BASE-LX/LH SFP modules, which provide a 1000-Mbps wired connection to a network through a 1300nm (LX/LH) fiber-optic link using an LC physical connector
• 1000BASE-T SFP transceiver modules, which provide a 1000-Mbps wired connection to a network through a copper link using an RJ-45 physical connector

The Cisco 5508 controllers have eight Gigabit Ethernet distribution system ports through which the controller can manage multiple APs. The 5508-12, 5508-25, 5508-50, 5508-100, and 5508-250 models allow for 12, 25, 50, 100, or 250 APs to join the controller. Cisco 5508 controllers have no restrictions on the number of APs per port. However, Cisco recommends using link aggregation (LAG) or configuring dynamic AP-Manager interfaces on each Gigabit Ethernet port to automatically balance the load. If more than 100 APs are connected to the 5500 series controller, make sure that more than one Gigabit Ethernet interface is connected to the upstream switch. The Gigabit Ethernet ports on the 5508 series controller, make sure that more than one Gigabit Ethernet interface is connected to the upstream switch. The Gigabit Ethernet ports on the 5508 controllers accept these SX/LC/T small-factor plug-in (SFP) modules:

• 1000BASE-SX SFP modules, which provide a 1000-Mbps wired connection to a network through an 850nm (SX) fiber-optic link using an LC physical connector
• 1000BASE-LX SFP modules, which provide a 1000-Mbps wired connection to a network through a 1300nm (LX/LH) fiber-optic link using an LC physical connector
• 1000BASE-T SFP modules, which provide a 1000-Mbps wired connection to a network through a copper link using an RJ-45 physical connector

The Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series Gigabit Ethernet interface module is a premier modular multilayer switch and delivers secure converged services from the wiring closet to the core, to the data center, to the WAN edge. Designed to complement the many roles that the Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series plays in a network, Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series mixed media Gigabit Ethernet modules offer the broadest selection of media, densities, performance, interoperability, and chassis deployments for enterprises and service providers. The Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series Gigabit Ethernet Interface Module accept these SX, LX/LH, ZX and CWDM/DWDM SFP modules:

• GLC-SX-MMD SFP, 1000BASE-SX SFP (multimode only) Dual LC connector
• GLC-ZX-SMD SFP, 1000BASE-ZX SFP (single mode only) Dual LC connector
• GLC-LH-SMD SFP, 1000BASE-LX SFP (single mode only) Dual LC connector
• GLC-T SFP Copper transceiver, 1000BASE-T SFP (copper twisted pair) RJ-45 connector
• CWDM-SFP-1470=*, Cisco CWDM SFP 1470 nm; Gigabit Ethernet and 1G/2G FC
• DWDM-GBIC-60.61***, 1000BASE-DWDM 1560.61 Nm GBIC (100 GHz ITU grid)

Article Source: Cisco Switch Controllers Accepted these SFP Modules