FireBrick SFP: Difference between revisions

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The FireBrick ~~2900~~ has 4 copper ports and 1 SFP port. The SFP port allows flexible connection to other devices - eg a 5th copper port, fibre or DACs, and even VDSL modem.

The FireBrick FB2900 has 4 copper ports and 1 SFP port. The SFP port allows flexible connection to other devices - e.g. a 5th copper port, fibre or DACs, and even VDSL modem (ymmv).

==TL;DR==

Regarding the SFPs, the short version is almost any copper SFP should

work for the FB2900, but there are a few silly types that don't.

work for the FB2900, but there are a few silly types that don't. Generic MSA encoded SFPs should be fine.

==More Information==

=More Information=

The longer version for a bit more context:

Most SFPs have a little ROM chip inside them with make/model etc, and

Most SFPs have a little ROM chip inside them with make/model etc., and

most vendors use this to lock you into their own SFPs, ie Cisco switches

most vendors use this to lock you into their own SFPs, i.e. Cisco switches

paired up with specific Cisco SFPs on a ~~whitelist~~. They probably do this

paired up with specific Cisco SFPs on an allow list. They probably do this

for a reason, but it's really annoying, especially when you think you've

got an SFP, plug it in, only to find the switch rejects it as it's not

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for the various vendors and models it can do)

==RX_LOS Types Don't work==

===RX_LOS Types Don't work===

Copper SFPs of the "RX_LOS" type don't work with the FB2900, such as the

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and it's flashable derivatives will also be in this class. The RX_LOS

type are a bit of a daft class and I've never really got my head around

just why Flexoptix T.C12.02.~~Athey~~ exist. Thankfully they're less common.

just why Flexoptix T.C12.02.A exist. Thankfully they're less common.

==Copper SFPs==

===Copper SFPs===

One final thing to bear in mind with a Copper SFP, is that they can only

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not get you a link.

==VDSL SFPs==

===VDSL SFPs===

We have tried VDSL SFPs, and they do work. There ~~are~~ are a few caveats - they seem to run hot and may provide a less stable connection (ie sync drops). ~~More~~ ~~testing~~ ~~needs to happen though.~~

We have tried VDSL SFPs, and they do work. There are a few caveats - they seem to run hot and may provide a less stable connection (i.e. sync drops). Not recommended.

=== 10G SFP+s===

We don't recommend trying to use a SFP+ DAC or SFP+ fibre module in the FB2900. Whilst running 1G over a 10G capable SFP+ device sometimes works, there is no guarantee, and we suggest sticking to 1G.

===FB6000===

There are no SFP ports on the FB6000 model.

===Port Status===

The FireBrick does give you some information about the SFP:

[[File:FB2900-port-status.png|frame|Port Status]]

[[Category:FireBrick]]