#Finisar 10g sfp ↔ Cisco 10g sfp Compatibility issue.

1 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

solemn dust
#

Hello!

We ordered 10G SFP from the supplier and, as usual, we received Finisar SFPs. After installing the optical cables and connecting them to the network switch, the link isn't coming up. We discussed it with a network engineer, and they suggested that it might not be compatible with Cisco SFPs.

When we plug in a Cisco 10G SFP into the controller and connect it with the optical cable, the link works. However, when we try to connect a Finisar 10G SFP to a Cisco 10G SFP, the link doesn't come up. Is it normal for the link not to work between Finisar 10G SFP and Cisco 10G SFP?

We also tried testing with a Twin-Ax Cable that the customer had, and when we connected it, the link status worked perfectly. It's just that the link doesn't come up when using Finisar SFPs with Cisco ones.

woven harbor
#

I’m assuming you have the Finisar on the controller side and Cisco on the switch side? Are you using Cisco switches? I’ve definitely never had any problems with this, albeit with 25G SFPs.

quasi ivy
#

using different manufacturer SFPs is the usual way to do things - you put a compatible optical SFP into each piece of equipment and link it up. Can you post a photo of the finisar SFP? If the part number ends with N1/NA it's usually one we ship

solemn dust
#

FTLX8574D3BCL-N1 I'VE GOT THESE SFPs

solemn dust
#

When FAS or AFF systems are typically delivered with 10G SFPs, it seems that the SFPs provided are not working properly when connected to our customer's network switches. This issue has been observed in most of the environments, not just once or twice.

Therefore, I'm not sure how we should place orders to address this problem.

quasi ivy
#

which cisco SFPs are you using?

#

those SFPs are X6589-R6, our widest compatibility model - works in tonnes of things

#

they should work fine with Cisco SFP-10G-SR

solemn dust
#

'm not entirely certain, but it seems like we were using Cisco SFP-10G-LR. I'll have to double-check, but that's what it appears to be.

#

I'm not *

quasi ivy
#

ah. LR is long range, so 1310nm, these are SR, 850nm

#

so you have to match LR to LR and SR to SR. I don't think we do a LR optic for anything that would be using a X6589

#

1310nm is a different "colour" - it's effectively infrared. So the lasers and receivers don't work with 850nm ones

solemn dust
#

It seemed like the link wasn't coming up when connected to switches in the same office space (5-6 square meters) but at different locations. In that case, do we have any LR optics available in our NetApp products?

quasi ivy
#

depends on exactly what netapp equipment - the X6604 is a longware optic for some systems, but you'd also need an attenuator, since it's made for 10km links

#

so get the Cisco SFP-10G-SR optics instead and it will work with the X6589's you have

solemn dust
#

Many Thanks!
It appears that the compatibility issue was due to the LR optics in the customer's equipment, which didn't work with our devices.
So, going forward, we should request SR optics to ensure compatibility.

It's great to hear that the community has been helpful. Thank you!

quasi ivy
#

yes, I believe this is the case. You are most welcome

median vapor
#

This is a bit off-topic, but what are the chances that NetApp could just send a few replacement sfp's with new systems. We normally keep all of the old sfp's from retired systems as replacements because RMA's take too much time, but on rare occasions this isn't sufficient and the "proctology exam" required to get an RMA on an sfp is pretty tiresome and hardly worth the cost and effort for us or NetApp.

cursive river
#

Going the "official" way it will probably be a no-go. So your best bet is if you know someone personally from NetApp, your SE or TPM or something. Or, if you're working through a partner, ask them. They usually have leftover SFPs. I, too, have a full box of leftover stuff in my office 😅