Question about networking

[matt-urrlRJtNKRMsHrnhXWJB8w at public.gmane.org (Matt Shields)]

On Tue, May 19, 2009 at 11:07 AM, Dan Ritter <dsr-mzpnVDyJpH4k7aNtvndDlA at public.gmane.org> wrote:

> On Tue, May 19, 2009 at 09:53:33AM -0400, Matt Shields wrote:
> > This is off topic, but I'm hoping someone might have an answer.  I'm
> using a
> > pair of Cisco 3825 integrated service routers as my uplink to my ISP.
> > They're setup as HSRP(or VRRP, or whichever the Cisco term is).  My
> question
> > is, we currently have them connected to the ISP via gig-ethernet, and we
> are
> > going to be going to fiber uplink.  It has SFP LC fiber ports on both
> > routers.  Can I use any 850nm SFP tranceiver?  Or do I need to buy the
> Cisco
> > brand tranceivers?  I have SFP LC tranceivers on my SAN, and back when I
> > ordered the SAN I ordered extra tranceivers, so if I can avoid having to
> > order more hardware I would prefer that.
>
> You don't need to buy Cisco brand, but you do need to make sure
> that the manufacturer claims Cisco compatibility. While there
> are standards for SFP mini-GBICs, Cisco has their own, erm,
> improvements.
>
> -dsr-
>
> --
> http://tao.merseine.nu/~dsr/eula.html<http://tao.merseine.nu/%7Edsr/eula.html>is hereby incorporated by reference.
>
> You can't defend freedom by getting rid of it.
>

Talk about a wasted afternoon yesterday was.  I called the manufacturer of
the SAN transceivers, they said they *may* work on Cisco routers, but I
should check with Cisco.  I called the Cisco TAC and after getting
transferred over and over and over again, waiting on hold, getting told I'd
be called back, waiting for call only to be they'd have to call me back
again.  4 hours trying to get a straight answer, Cisco said that other
manufacturer tranceivers *may* work, but they never guaruntee it and there's
a good chance they won't.  Even if they do, if we ever have issues with our
Cisco gear, they won't support us for any issue until we replace the
non-Cisco parts.

While playing the waiting game, I came across this article
http://www.toad.com/gnu/sysadmin/sfp-lockin.html  So much for standards.


-matt
http://www.sysadminvalley.com
http://www.beantownhost.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/mattboston
P. J. O'Rourke<http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/p/p_j_orourke.html>
- "Never fight an inanimate object."