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

[Divice_138546]

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

[Divice_138546]

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

[Brad_Parker]

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.

[shaggy]

F5's official stance on 3rd party hardware components:

https://support.f5.com/kb/en-us/solutions/public/8000/100/sol8153.html

[Divice_138546]

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!

[Divice_138546]

Used Cisco DAC, unsupported but works a treat.

[Divice_138546]

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...

[bojan_sukalo_20]

We use it also from NEXUS 7700 to F5 and works like a charm. We use passive ones, 5m in length.

[Ichnafi_177360]

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?

[Ichnafi]

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]

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]

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_116074]

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]

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]

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 🙂