Is Your Transceiver Module Cisco SFP And Cisco GBIC Compatible?
If you have a transceiver module and are not confident if it’s compatible with your host equipment, try it first. Keep in mind that compatibility has nothing to do with the functions of the transceiver, but in recognizing ID code.
Both SFP and GBIC set up manufacturer coding within the transceiver. The coding was meant for network management software to be able to record the pluggable modules within the network. However, Cisco and other manufacturers used the coding system to discriminate third party transceivers except those that had the same host equipment’s ID code. This forces you to use only Cisco products, but not anymore. Transceiver manufacturers have developed modules that are Cisco SFP compatible, for example.
Not all SFPs have DD, even though SFP modules have Digital Diagnostics as an additional feature. Only the higher end SFPs utilized for extra ordeal or for CWDM have DD. It permits the host equipment to read report details such as actual received optical signal level, output power, and the temperature within the SFP module.
When picking a transceiver module, consider two things to make sure it is compatible with your existing host equipment: (1) Does the SFP require DD functions? (2) Does the host equipment check the ID code and discriminate third party modules? So, try it with your host equipment and see if it doesn’t reject it to make sure that your transceiver module doesn’t go to waste.
If you possess a three-year old or more Cisco equipment, chances are your non-Cisco module will be discriminated. On the other hand, possibly because of complaints and pressure to stop monopolizing the market, newer Cisco equipment no longer has this feature. That leaves you two options: either you buy new Cisco equipment to be able to use cheaper Cisco GBIC compatible transceiver or keep your old Cisco equipment and bear with using more expensive Cisco transceivers. The choice is yours.
Remember that compatibility has nothing to do with the functions of the transceiver, so the brand doesn’t really matter. What’s important is whether your host equipment requires DD function and does it lock out third party transceivers or not.
