Is Your Transceiver Module Cisco SFP And Cisco GBIC Compatible?

If you have a transceiver module and are not sure if it’s compatible with your existing 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 introduced manufacturer coding within the transceiver. The coding was designed for network management software to be able to log the pluggable modules within the network. However, Cisco and other manufacturers utilized the coding system to lock out third party transceivers apart from 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, though SFP modules have Digital Diagnostics as an extra feature. Only the higher end SFPs used for extra long haul or for CWDM have DD. It permits the host equipment to interpret report details such as actual received optical signal level, output power, and the temperature within the SFP module.

When picking a transceiver module, attend to a couple of things to ensure it is compatible with your existing host equipment: (1) Does the SFP need DD functions? (2) Does the host equipment check the ID code and discriminate third party modules? Hence, to make sure that your transceiver module doesn’t go to waste, try it with your host equipment and see if it doesn’t reject it.

If you have a three-year old or more Cisco equipment, chances are your non-Cisco module will be discriminated. Probably due to complaints and pressure to stop controlling 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.