Hi, Anybody using Cisco DAC 10G transceiver/copper cables (TwinAx) to connect from a Cisco switch to a BIG-IP? Can't seem to find an answer, suspect it is not supported which is always an issue for DACs between vendors. Cheers

- Two questions I guess, does it work? is it supported?

F5 will only support their transceivers, so its probably not supported. No experience whether it will work or not. You could always try and see, but I know that is an expensive gamble if it doesn't work.

F5's official stance on 3rd party hardware components: https://support.f5.com/kb/en-us/solutions/public/8000/100/sol8153.html

Thanks for the replies. When I search for the 10G direct attach copper cables I find this link:- https://support.f5.com/kb/en-us/products/big-ip_ltm/manuals/product/f5-plat-accessories/2.html This makes no sense, a 10G DAC with 1000Base-T Copper Ethernet Transceiver Module and RJ45 connector? F5-UPG-SFPC+-3M seems to be the product I'm looking for, although the Cisco will no doubt complain if I use that. Inter-vendor DAC support is a shambles!

Indeed, it would be good to know if someone has tried it to save buying additional DACs, although Cisco DACs would always come in useful...

BIG-IP to Cisco via 10Gb SFP+ Direct Attach Copper

14 Replies

Ichnafi_177360
Nimbostratus
Sep 16, 2016
Let me hop on this rather old toppic and add a question:

The product catalog entry of the F5 DAC-cable says: "for connecting the SFP+ ports on your F5 platform to the SFP+ modules on an upstream switch."

Since F5 has no own switches...which switch do they refer to? I mean, does F5 think they are the only company with "own brand only support" restriction?

Let's bring it down to numbers: I want to connect my LTM pair to my Nexus pair. So i can choose to spend $8000 on SFP+ (4 of each vendor) or $200 on 4 DAC cables to achieve the same goal.

Proportionality anyone?
EdDial_116074
Nimbostratus
Sep 07, 2017
I've been using Cisco DACs for years with the smaller F5s (2000,4000 series) however I've noticed that although they work with my i7800, I did get a notification when I initially powered up that it was an "unsupported optic".
- James_124570
  Nimbostratus
  Jan 11, 2018
  We are seeing the same issue. The Cisco DACs work fine with the 2400 series, and we are seeing "unsupported optic"on our 5250
EdDial
Nimbostratus
Sep 07, 2017
I've been using Cisco DACs for years with the smaller F5s (2000,4000 series) however I've noticed that although they work with my i7800, I did get a notification when I initially powered up that it was an "unsupported optic".
- James_124570
  Nimbostratus
  Jan 11, 2018
  We are seeing the same issue. The Cisco DACs work fine with the 2400 series, and we are seeing "unsupported optic"on our 5250
Stefan_Klotz
Cumulonimbus
Oct 27, 2023
Although this topic is already some years old, I hope someone can provide me the latest status for this issue.
We are currently also facing this issue with a i2600. Tmsh list net interface displayes "Unsupported Optic detected" and interface status for 5.0 and 6.0 is DOWN.
If I check all above comments it seems it's working for some of you and for others not.
I also tried to verify if there is any possibility to disable the vendor-check, but I can't find anything useful.
And more useful information would be very helpful!
Thank you!

Regards Stefan 🙂