Switch SFP's

[Serving]

We have all Cisco small business switches and was just donated a meraki cloud managed switch. Can I use a SFP from one of our Cisco switches or does the transceiver need to be the same brand as the switch?

[cpjitservices]

as far as I'm aware you can use any SFP in any switch, or you can with the Juniper switches we have - I have seen people using HP SFP's in Juniper Switches.

[SYNACK]

It depends on the brand, the devices are standardised but some switches only like their brand like hp that requires it.

[techie211]

I know with our Cisco switches(2960) it didn't like/recognize any 3rd party transceivers. They only worked with Cisco brand types.

[Michael]

I'd generally recommend you stick to official brands. It's the only guaranteed way it'll work. Alternatively, just patch in a CAT5e cable if it's possible.

[SYNACK]

I'd generally recommend you stick to official brands. It's the only guaranteed way it'll work. Alternatively, just patch in a CAT5e cable if it's possible.

I'd suggest external media converters rather than copper, grounding issues cause fires.

[pete]

I know with our Cisco switches(2960) it didn't like/recognize any 3rd party transceivers. They only worked with Cisco brand types.

Tried service unsupported-transceiver ?

Cisco will insist you replicate issues with a Cisco part before they'll troubleshoot, however, so you need a couple of genuines around.

[koffi2k]

I stumpled upon this thread ...

- It is true that most big-name vendors check the EEPROM of each SFP. Cheaper vendors don't care, they'll work with any standard SFP(+), XFP module - i.e. Netgear
- Some are able to be made to ignore the vendor check, some not (anymore)
- Some accept a range of non-vendor modules but at least no only to their own
- @pete is right, having original modules with vendors like Cisco is needed sometimes

I have been recommended by a local DC guy the modules from the Flexoptix.net guys in Germany - they make re-programmable modules which can be bought pre-programmed - if you need lots, you can buy their programmer and go little cheaper per module even.
The otherwise quite strict C3750 happily identifed the flexoptix SFP as true Cisco and kept running happily until now. - For the price of one SFP module from Cisco I could get twice many 1G modules from them.
The price difference grows bigger when doing 10G, CDWM or DWDM - that's where Flexoptix gets interesting - or if you have different vendors, there is no more need to have all vendors in stock for replacements.

[techniquev3]

Koffi2k is right, the big brands do code them to work with the switches. Dlink, Netgear etc. will take most types. Just to add there is a good article here on compatible SFP versions. At least if you go for an SFP coded to the device it is more likely to work than if you just start swapping them around.

[plexer]

flexBox V2 - Transceiver Programmer / flexOptix - The Transceiver Specialists

The techie in me just thinks this is awesome

Ben

[techniquev3]

A bit over priced tho

[plexer]

I thought free was quite a good price actually.

* Free flexBox V2 - with transceiver orders

Write us a short company description with your next transceiver order to info@flexoptix.net and we will give you a flexBox V2 for free. After two weeks with the new flexBox V2 you send us some feedback regarding the flexBox V2, which we may publish on our website.
2 texts for 1 flexBox V2, that's the deal.

Ben

[techniquev3]

I should have tried the English version

[koffi2k]

Just as short update:

For a project I needed a couple of switches and for one run, I implement a 10G link. I have bought all SFPs from them now, including the 10G ones.
The SFPs truly get recognized as if they were from original vendor and work as expected. Since we don't need that many SFPs, buying a Flexbox wasn't worth the effort, but their pre-programmed SFPs are also sold at interesting prices. - And if they don't have the exact SFP you want, mail them and they'll check their customers or their stock to make you the SFP you want (i.e. our Netgear MM SFP+)

What was good is their knowledge and experience with older fibre runs, as they have gained experience in running > 1G over older MM fibre without hickups - as opposed to install new OM3/OM4 fibre.. (look at their blog, it's german though)