Your opinion on gigabit/copper SFP modules

Your opinion on gigabit/copper SFP modules

Your opinion on gigabit/copper SFP modules
Your opinion on gigabit/copper SFP modules
Yesterday - last edited Yesterday
Model: TL-SG2428P  
Hardware Version:
Firmware Version:

Lately, I had bad experiences with gigabit/copper SFP modules in TL-SG2428P.

 

For an unknown reason, it seems one module stopped to forward some incoming broadcast on VLAN1.

Unfortunately, I couldn't further investigate and I used another SFP module on another SFP slot to restore the service.

 

I also remember having months ago, to switch from one gigabit/Copper/SFP port to a standard Gigabit port to restore communications with a remote host.

 

1. If I'm not mistaken, looking at switch web management app, you can't read much details about currently plugged-in SFP modules (temperature, vendor, S/N, device presence,...).

Is there another (CLI, log fuiles, ...) to read such data ?

 

2. What is your experience with TP-Link SFP modules ?

 

3. Is it possible or recommended to use third party SFP modules ?

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Re:Your opinion on gigabit/copper SFP modules-Solution
Yesterday - last edited Yesterday

  @Oliv2831

Oliv2831 wrote

Lately, I had bad experiences with gigabit/copper SFP modules in TL-SG2428P.

 

For an unknown reason, it seems one module stopped to forward some incoming broadcast on VLAN1.

Unfortunately, I couldn't further investigate and I used another SFP module on another SFP slot to restore the service.

 

I also remember having months ago, to switch from one gigabit/Copper/SFP port to a standard Gigabit port to restore communications with a remote host.

 

1. If I'm not mistaken, looking at switch web management app, you can't read much details about currently plugged-in SFP modules (temperature, vendor, S/N, device presence,...).

Is there another (CLI, log fuiles, ...) to read such data ?

 

2. What is your experience with TP-Link SFP modules ?

 

3. Is it possible or recommended to use third party SFP modules ?

  1. CLI features depends on the switch.  I can get some info on my switch, but not things like temp, volts.
  2. (**Spoiler alert for Q3) I have not used the TP-Link branded modules, but I assume they will work fine.  Just verify that the module is compatable with your switch and if there are any other restrictions.  Regardless of brand, I've followed this positioning guide from the TP-Link's SFP+ 10G RJ45 module installation guide.
  3. Yes, it's possible to use other brands.  I don't think you'll get an official recomendation to use another brand, but if you do and have an issue you may get some finger pointing.  From a support perspective, one vendor is a plus, but I've prioritized cost over supportability.  I do stick with brands that have a good track record of compatability with TP-Link and no issues to date.

 

In general, for SFP/SFP+ links, my prefereces are DAC and then Fiber or limited RJ45 use.

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Re:Your opinion on gigabit/copper SFP modules-Solution
Yesterday - last edited Yesterday

  @Oliv2831, yes a device is connected. I think this is either a limitation of my sfp module or RJ45 modules in general. You need to check the port status to see if there is a valid connection. In this case, it's a 10G sfp+ transceiver with a 2.5G device on the other end. Switch shows a 10G active connection. iPerf confirmed 2.5G, so technically it all works, but the transceiver is masking the true connection info.

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Re:Your opinion on gigabit/copper SFP modules-Solution
Yesterday - last edited Yesterday

  @Oliv2831

Oliv2831 wrote

Lately, I had bad experiences with gigabit/copper SFP modules in TL-SG2428P.

 

For an unknown reason, it seems one module stopped to forward some incoming broadcast on VLAN1.

Unfortunately, I couldn't further investigate and I used another SFP module on another SFP slot to restore the service.

 

I also remember having months ago, to switch from one gigabit/Copper/SFP port to a standard Gigabit port to restore communications with a remote host.

 

1. If I'm not mistaken, looking at switch web management app, you can't read much details about currently plugged-in SFP modules (temperature, vendor, S/N, device presence,...).

Is there another (CLI, log fuiles, ...) to read such data ?

 

2. What is your experience with TP-Link SFP modules ?

 

3. Is it possible or recommended to use third party SFP modules ?

  1. CLI features depends on the switch.  I can get some info on my switch, but not things like temp, volts.
  2. (**Spoiler alert for Q3) I have not used the TP-Link branded modules, but I assume they will work fine.  Just verify that the module is compatable with your switch and if there are any other restrictions.  Regardless of brand, I've followed this positioning guide from the TP-Link's SFP+ 10G RJ45 module installation guide.
  3. Yes, it's possible to use other brands.  I don't think you'll get an official recomendation to use another brand, but if you do and have an issue you may get some finger pointing.  From a support perspective, one vendor is a plus, but I've prioritized cost over supportability.  I do stick with brands that have a good track record of compatability with TP-Link and no issues to date.

 

In general, for SFP/SFP+ links, my prefereces are DAC and then Fiber or limited RJ45 use.

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Re:Your opinion on gigabit/copper SFP modules
Yesterday

  @D-C 

Thanks for replying.

 

In the shared screenshot, lengths associated with the copper SFP module are equal to 0.

Is a device connected at the other end ?

Said differently, can these lengths be used to confirm a device is connected and online or not ?

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Re:Your opinion on gigabit/copper SFP modules
Yesterday

An addition to my original post:

 

As much as I read articles warning against thermal issues with copper SFP+ modules, I've not read anything mentioning issues with SFP modules.

I'll be curious to read about SFP modules issues if such exist.

.

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Re:Your opinion on gigabit/copper SFP modules-Solution
Yesterday - last edited Yesterday

  @Oliv2831, yes a device is connected. I think this is either a limitation of my sfp module or RJ45 modules in general. You need to check the port status to see if there is a valid connection. In this case, it's a 10G sfp+ transceiver with a 2.5G device on the other end. Switch shows a 10G active connection. iPerf confirmed 2.5G, so technically it all works, but the transceiver is masking the true connection info.

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Re:Your opinion on gigabit/copper SFP modules
Yesterday - last edited Yesterday

Hi @Oliv2831 

Thanks for posting in our business forum.

Like what D-C replied, quite helpful and accurate:

Common Questions About SFP Module and Media Converter

 

We do not have recommendations on third-party SFP modules. What we can guarantee is the compatibility of our module and switch.

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