nanog mailing list archives

Re: Equipment Supporting 2.5gbps and 5gbps


From: "Alex Hargrove" <ahargrove () cgresd net>
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2016 12:15:57 -0500

Then you have the issue of Intel NICs refusing to support any optical modules that dont show up as Intel (and the 
associated work arounds, etc)


I just purchased some empty Intel X520-DA2 cards and then picked up the E10GSFPSR-compatible optics for them from 
Fiberstore.

I was worried about the compatibility issues, but they working great between my vSphere hosts and an HP Procurve 5406R 
V2 with J9538A 8p 10G-GbE SFP+ v2 zl modules (which happens to be filled with J9150A X132 compatible optics also from 
Fiberstore).

The switch complains that they are 3rd party and throws a big scary warning that HP will shun you for support, but they 
light up and pass traffic just the same.


Tim Jackson <jackson.tim () gmail com> 1/29/2016 7:58 AM >>>
On Jan 29, 2016 6:29 AM, "Jared Mauch" <jared () puck nether net> wrote:
 SFP+ Copper Twinax is another option for 10G to save on the
transceivers

        Not really.

        You can get 10G optics for sub-$10 and patch cords for cheap too,
so why spend >$50 on DAC cables when you can go fiber and save
space and money?

        Walking into a colo and seeing orange or aqua cables always
makes me sad as people overpaid and created themselves a future problem.

2x 850nm SFP+ @ $16
2m multimode jumper @ $3.16

Vs

2m SFP+ DAC @ $18

(From Fiberstore)

Then you have the issue of Intel NICs refusing to support any optical
modules that dont show up as Intel (and the associated work arounds, etc)

DACs are usually about 40% cheaper for server interconnect.


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