Can we interconnect the SFP, SFP+ and XENPAK/X2? Is it possible to connect X2-10GB-LR to 10GBASE-SR with 4-5 metre patch cord? And can LC-SC patch cord connect X2-10GB-SR between SFP-10G-SR?
These questions were asked by Cisco users? They are also common questions often asked by Cisco clients and users…
What did the users say and how to solve these problems? Let’s read these discussion in detail from the Cisco Support Community…
The Q1:
“Is it possible to interconnect:
- 1. SFP+ and XENPAK/X2, e.g. SFP-10G-SR (Cat2960X or Cat3560X) and XENPAK-10GB-SR (Cat6500) or X2-10GB-SR (Cat3750E)?
I do not mean cabling, I am asking about whether those two modules would “see” each other (establish a link)
- 2. SFP+ and SFP, e.g. SFP-10G-SR (Cat2960X or Cat3560X) and GLC-SX-MM (Cat6500 or Cat3750G/E)?
It seems that SFP-10G-SR cannot “downgrade” itself to 1 Gbps speed.
- 3. Will GLC-SX-MM or GLC-LH-SM work in SFP+ slots (Cat2960X or Cat3560X)?
Will 1Gbps modules work in SFP+ slots?”
“1”and”3”, the answer is Yes. The”2”, you cannot.
Because “The SFP-10G-SR is 10 Gbps only.” It runs at 10 Gbps link rate and no other speed.
Actually, the SFP+ requires LC connector; the X2 may require an SC connector. Using two fibers with LC-SC terminations solve the issue. (LC connector on one fiber end, SC connector on the other fiber end).
You just need the correct optic on each side. Also, if your optics are Single mode you need single mode patch cord. If your optics are Multimode than you need Multimode patch cord.
The SFP-10G-SR is 10 Gbps only. The GLC-SX-MM is 1 Gbps only. You cannot interconnect them.
The GLC-SX-MM is multimode LED-based. The GLC-LH-SM is singlemode laser-based. They may (sometimes) work with Mode conditioning patch (MCP) cables but it’s not generally a good idea unless it’s completely unavoidable.
That means one cannot force SFP-10G-SR to use 1Gbps speed? This is a very common question and the response will always be the same: GBIC, SFP/SFP+, X2, XENPAK, QSFP, CSFP modules will only negotiate to one speed and one speed only.
The Q2:
“Is it possible to connect X2-10GB-LR to 10GBASE-SR with 4-5 metre patch cord?”
Cisco X2-10GB-LR
The Cisco 10GBASE-LR Module supports a link length of 10 kilometers on standard single-mode fiber (SMF, G.652).
| Сisco X2 | Wavelength (nm) | Cable Type | Core Size (Microns) | Modal Bandwidth (MHz*km) | Cable Distance* |
| Cisco X2-10GB-LRM | 1310 | MMF | 62.5
50.0 50.0 |
500
400 500 |
220m
100m 220m |
| SMF | G.652 | – | 300m |
The Cisco 10GBASE-SR Module supports a link length of 26m on standard Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI)-grade multimode fiber (MMF). Using 2000MHz*km MMF (OM3), up to 300m link lengths are possible. Using 4700MHz*km MMF (OM4), up to 400m link lengths are possible.
| Cisco SFP+ | Wavelength (nm) | Cable Type | Core Size (Microns) | Modal Bandwidth (MHz*km)*** | Cable Distance* |
| Cisco SFP-10G-SR Cisco SFP-10G-SR-X |
850 | MMF | 62.5
62.5 50.0 50.0 50.0 50.0 |
160 (FDDI)
200 (OM1) 400 500 (OM2) 2000 (OM3) 4700 (OM4) |
26m
33m 66m 82m 300m 400m |
The Answer is: Not possible. You need to use modules with the same wavelengths, i. e. SR to SR or LR to LR.
The Q3:
“Can LC-SC patch cord connect X2-10GB-SR between SFP-10G-SR?
This is my customer’s N7K.
The module 1 was no empty port.
Is anybody using LC-SC patch cord connect X2-10GB-SR (on N7K-M108X2-12L) between SFP-10G-SR (on N5K)?”
Yes, it’ll work fine as long as your fibre patch cord is Multi-Mode.
If your fiber patch is LC to SC (Single Mode) it should work just fine. I have not used LC to SC between Nexus platforams but have used LC to SC to connect 5Ks and 7ks to 6500.
“Should work just fine as long as it’s multi-mode, as stated above.
Also, if there are any jumpers in between, make sure you’re not mixing 62.5/50 micron together.”
“I would like to know which patch cord should I be using between X2-10GB-SR and IBM 10GBase-SR 10GbE 850 nm Fiber SFP+ Transceiver.” You need LC to SC Multimode
More Related Topics…
The Questions about the Cisco 10GBASE X2 Module & SFP Compatibility
Cisco OneX Converter Module: the CVR-X2-SFP10G & CVR-X2-SFP10G=
Cisco S-Class Optics vs. Non-S-Class Optics
Cisco 10GBASE SFP+ Modules Overview
