[c-nsp] Unsupported SFP on Cisco 2960

Discussion:

pamela pomary

2012-07-25 18:02:43 UTC

Hello Folks,

I have a peculiar problem. I have followed postings in the forum and I
believe your experience with Cisco networks will help answer my question.

I have a Cisco 2960 with Gigabit SFP module. I connected a third party
addon SFP GBIC to 2960 switch and I get the following error that disables
the interface.

*Mar 16 21:05:15.720: %GBIC_SECURITY_CRYPT-4-VN_DATA_CRC_ERROR: GBIC in
port Gi0/2 has bad crc
*Mar 16 21:05:15.720: %PM-4-ERR_DISABLE: gbic-invalid error detected on
Gi0/2, putting Gi0/2 in err-disable state

After checking online I found these two command lines that corrects the
error
on the Cisco 2960 switch and brings the interface up.

1) no errdisable detect cause gbic-invalid
2) service unsupported-transceiver

Cisco 2960 switch however reported a warning on entering the second command:

"Warning: When Cisco determines that a fault or defect can be traced to
the use of third-party transceivers installed by a customer or reseller,
then, at Cisco's discretion, Cisco may withhold support under warranty or
a Cisco support program. In the course of providing support for a Cisco
networking product Cisco may require that the end user install Cisco
transceivers if Cisco determines that removing third-party parts will
assist Cisco in diagnosing the cause of a support issue."

I understand Cisco's warranty terms mentioned in the above Warning.

My worry is, is it safe to do this. Is it likely I will have problems in
future
with the switch. Am I likely to experience abnormal data transfer on the
network in future?

Thank You

Pamela Pomary
ICT Dept.
University of Ghana
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Scott Granados

2012-07-25 18:09:58 UTC

Permalink

The only problem you're likely to have is with your wallet if you buy Cisco branded optics.:)

Others may disagree but I have never had any problem with 3rd party transceivers in lots of products including the 2900 series.

Post by pamela pomary
Hello Folks,
I have a peculiar problem. I have followed postings in the forum and I
believe your experience with Cisco networks will help answer my question.
I have a Cisco 2960 with Gigabit SFP module. I connected a third party
addon SFP GBIC to 2960 switch and I get the following error that disables
the interface.
*Mar 16 21:05:15.720: %GBIC_SECURITY_CRYPT-4-VN_DATA_CRC_ERROR: GBIC in
port Gi0/2 has bad crc
*Mar 16 21:05:15.720: %PM-4-ERR_DISABLE: gbic-invalid error detected on
Gi0/2, putting Gi0/2 in err-disable state
After checking online I found these two command lines that corrects the
error
on the Cisco 2960 switch and brings the interface up.
1) no errdisable detect cause gbic-invalid
2) service unsupported-transceiver
"Warning: When Cisco determines that a fault or defect can be traced to
the use of third-party transceivers installed by a customer or reseller,
then, at Cisco's discretion, Cisco may withhold support under warranty or
a Cisco support program. In the course of providing support for a Cisco
networking product Cisco may require that the end user install Cisco
transceivers if Cisco determines that removing third-party parts will
assist Cisco in diagnosing the cause of a support issue."
I understand Cisco's warranty terms mentioned in the above Warning.
My worry is, is it safe to do this. Is it likely I will have problems in
future
with the switch. Am I likely to experience abnormal data transfer on the
network in future?
Thank You
Pamela Pomary
ICT Dept.
University of Ghana
_______________________________________________
https://puck.nether.net/mailman/listinfo/cisco-nsp
archive at http://puck.nether.net/pipermail/cisco-nsp/

JP Senior

2012-07-25 18:14:38 UTC

Permalink

I've interpreted the warning as Cisco removing their support and liability requirements for the optics themselves, "My SFP doesn't work, help". I wouldn't expect any data issues whatsoever. They'll continue to support the switch as normal for non-gbic issues. I've been running service unsupported-transceiver for many years with no issues. As long as it's [eventually] recognized, it's good.

-----Original Message-----
From: cisco-nsp-***@puck.nether.net [mailto:cisco-nsp-***@puck.nether.net] On Behalf Of Scott Granados
Sent: 25 July 2012 12:10 PM
To: pamela pomary
Cc: cisco-***@puck.nether.net
Subject: Re: [c-nsp] Unsupported SFP on Cisco 2960

The only problem you're likely to have is with your wallet if you buy Cisco branded optics.:)

Others may disagree but I have never had any problem with 3rd party transceivers in lots of products including the 2900 series.

Post by pamela pomary
Hello Folks,
I have a peculiar problem. I have followed postings in the forum and I
believe your experience with Cisco networks will help answer my question.
I have a Cisco 2960 with Gigabit SFP module. I connected a third party
addon SFP GBIC to 2960 switch and I get the following error that
disables the interface.
*Mar 16 21:05:15.720: %GBIC_SECURITY_CRYPT-4-VN_DATA_CRC_ERROR: GBIC
gbic-invalid error detected on Gi0/2, putting Gi0/2 in err-disable
state
After checking online I found these two command lines that corrects
the error on the Cisco 2960 switch and brings the interface up.
1) no errdisable detect cause gbic-invalid
2) service unsupported-transceiver
"Warning: When Cisco determines that a fault or defect can be traced
to the use of third-party transceivers installed by a customer or
reseller, then, at Cisco's discretion, Cisco may withhold support
under warranty or a Cisco support program. In the course of providing
support for a Cisco networking product Cisco may require that the end
user install Cisco transceivers if Cisco determines that removing
third-party parts will assist Cisco in diagnosing the cause of a support issue."
I understand Cisco's warranty terms mentioned in the above Warning.
My worry is, is it safe to do this. Is it likely I will have problems
in future with the switch. Am I likely to experience abnormal data
transfer on the network in future?
Thank You
Pamela Pomary
ICT Dept.
University of Ghana
_______________________________________________
https://puck.nether.net/mailman/listinfo/cisco-nsp
archive at http://puck.nether.net/pipermail/cisco-nsp/

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Jared Mauch

2012-07-25 18:17:49 UTC

Permalink

You will only save money. SFP is a standard media just like USB ports.

Jared Mauch

pamela pomary

2012-07-25 18:29:17 UTC

Permalink

Thank you all folks for your quick responses. Am grateful :). I can breathe
a sigh of relief now.

Post by Jared Mauch
You will only save money. SFP is a standard media just like USB ports.
Jared Mauch

Post by pamela pomary
Hello Folks,
I have a peculiar problem. I have followed postings in the forum and I
believe your experience with Cisco networks will help answer my question.
I have a Cisco 2960 with Gigabit SFP module. I connected a third party
addon SFP GBIC to 2960 switch and I get the following error that disables
the interface.
*Mar 16 21:05:15.720: %GBIC_SECURITY_CRYPT-4-VN_DATA_CRC_ERROR: GBIC in
port Gi0/2 has bad crc
*Mar 16 21:05:15.720: %PM-4-ERR_DISABLE: gbic-invalid error detected on
Gi0/2, putting Gi0/2 in err-disable state
After checking online I found these two command lines that corrects the
error
on the Cisco 2960 switch and brings the interface up.
1) no errdisable detect cause gbic-invalid
2) service unsupported-transceiver
Cisco 2960 switch however reported a warning on entering the second
"Warning: When Cisco determines that a fault or defect can be traced to
the use of third-party transceivers installed by a customer or reseller,
then, at Cisco's discretion, Cisco may withhold support under warranty or
a Cisco support program. In the course of providing support for a Cisco
networking product Cisco may require that the end user install Cisco
transceivers if Cisco determines that removing third-party parts will
assist Cisco in diagnosing the cause of a support issue."
I understand Cisco's warranty terms mentioned in the above Warning.
My worry is, is it safe to do this. Is it likely I will have problems in
future
with the switch. Am I likely to experience abnormal data transfer on the
network in future?
Thank You
Pamela Pomary
ICT Dept.
University of Ghana
_______________________________________________
https://puck.nether.net/mailman/listinfo/cisco-nsp
archive at http://puck.nether.net/pipermail/cisco-nsp/

John Gill

2012-07-25 19:51:30 UTC

Permalink

The SFP is a standard, and if there is any problem with that link, it is
just a reasonable expectation that you won't ask TAC to troubleshoot it
or tell you what is wrong with it, and obviously can't replace it.

There are certainly certified SFPs that work great and others that will
be flaky. If cisco makes a flaky model, it's our responsibility to
support/replace/fix that issue. If you have a problem with a 3rd party
SFP, you would just need to take it up with them.

Regards,
John Gill
cisco

Post by pamela pomary
Thank you all folks for your quick responses. Am grateful :). I can breathe
a sigh of relief now.

Post by Jared Mauch
You will only save money. SFP is a standard media just like USB ports.
Jared Mauch

Post by pamela pomary
Hello Folks,
I have a peculiar problem. I have followed postings in the forum and I
believe your experience with Cisco networks will help answer my question.
I have a Cisco 2960 with Gigabit SFP module. I connected a third party
addon SFP GBIC to 2960 switch and I get the following error that disables
the interface.
*Mar 16 21:05:15.720: %GBIC_SECURITY_CRYPT-4-VN_DATA_CRC_ERROR: GBIC in
port Gi0/2 has bad crc
*Mar 16 21:05:15.720: %PM-4-ERR_DISABLE: gbic-invalid error detected on
Gi0/2, putting Gi0/2 in err-disable state
After checking online I found these two command lines that corrects the
error
on the Cisco 2960 switch and brings the interface up.
1) no errdisable detect cause gbic-invalid
2) service unsupported-transceiver
Cisco 2960 switch however reported a warning on entering the second
"Warning: When Cisco determines that a fault or defect can be traced to
the use of third-party transceivers installed by a customer or reseller,
then, at Cisco's discretion, Cisco may withhold support under warranty or
a Cisco support program. In the course of providing support for a Cisco
networking product Cisco may require that the end user install Cisco
transceivers if Cisco determines that removing third-party parts will
assist Cisco in diagnosing the cause of a support issue."
I understand Cisco's warranty terms mentioned in the above Warning.
My worry is, is it safe to do this. Is it likely I will have problems in
future
with the switch. Am I likely to experience abnormal data transfer on the
network in future?
Thank You
Pamela Pomary
ICT Dept.
University of Ghana
_______________________________________________
https://puck.nether.net/mailman/listinfo/cisco-nsp
archive at http://puck.nether.net/pipermail/cisco-nsp/

_______________________________________________
https://puck.nether.net/mailman/listinfo/cisco-nsp
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Jeffrey G. Fitzwater

2012-07-25 20:17:26 UTC

Permalink

How does DOM support fit into all this? CISCO SFP vs 3rd party? If a third party tells you they support DOM, does that mean it works as advertised and the values returned are correct. Is this a good reason to buy only CISCO?

Jeff Fitzwater
OIT Network Systems
Princeton University

The SFP is a standard, and if there is any problem with that link, it is just a reasonable expectation that you won't ask TAC to troubleshoot it or tell you what is wrong with it, and obviously can't replace it.
There are certainly certified SFPs that work great and others that will be flaky. If cisco makes a flaky model, it's our responsibility to support/replace/fix that issue. If you have a problem with a 3rd party SFP, you would just need to take it up with them.
Regards,
John Gill
cisco

Post by pamela pomary
Thank you all folks for your quick responses. Am grateful :). I can breathe
a sigh of relief now.

Post by Jared Mauch
You will only save money. SFP is a standard media just like USB ports.
Jared Mauch

Post by pamela pomary
Hello Folks,
I have a peculiar problem. I have followed postings in the forum and I
believe your experience with Cisco networks will help answer my question.
I have a Cisco 2960 with Gigabit SFP module. I connected a third party
addon SFP GBIC to 2960 switch and I get the following error that disables
the interface.
*Mar 16 21:05:15.720: %GBIC_SECURITY_CRYPT-4-VN_DATA_CRC_ERROR: GBIC in
port Gi0/2 has bad crc
*Mar 16 21:05:15.720: %PM-4-ERR_DISABLE: gbic-invalid error detected on
Gi0/2, putting Gi0/2 in err-disable state
After checking online I found these two command lines that corrects the
error
on the Cisco 2960 switch and brings the interface up.
1) no errdisable detect cause gbic-invalid
2) service unsupported-transceiver
Cisco 2960 switch however reported a warning on entering the second
"Warning: When Cisco determines that a fault or defect can be traced to
the use of third-party transceivers installed by a customer or reseller,
then, at Cisco's discretion, Cisco may withhold support under warranty or
a Cisco support program. In the course of providing support for a Cisco
networking product Cisco may require that the end user install Cisco
transceivers if Cisco determines that removing third-party parts will
assist Cisco in diagnosing the cause of a support issue."
I understand Cisco's warranty terms mentioned in the above Warning.
My worry is, is it safe to do this. Is it likely I will have problems in
future
with the switch. Am I likely to experience abnormal data transfer on the
network in future?
Thank You
Pamela Pomary
ICT Dept.
University of Ghana
_______________________________________________
https://puck.nether.net/mailman/listinfo/cisco-nsp
archive at http://puck.nether.net/pipermail/cisco-nsp/

_______________________________________________
https://puck.nether.net/mailman/listinfo/cisco-nsp
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Nick Hilliard

2012-07-25 21:33:18 UTC

Permalink

Post by Jared Mauch
You will only save money. SFP is a standard media just like USB ports.

It is a standard medium, just like e.g. SATA or SCSI is a standard medium.
It's a hardware interface mechanism and is subject to driver bugs,
interface protocol ambiguities, hardware peculiarities and all that. In
moment of frustration about why vendors decline to support third party
SFPs, I occasionally browse the OSS source code to various hardware drivers
to get some sort of understanding of the quirks and general messing around
that a low-level driver of this form would need to be able to handle
gracefully.

Post by Jared Mauch
http://www.freebsd.org/cgi/cvsweb.cgi/src/sys/dev/ixgbe/ixgbe.c?annotate=1.53.2.6
http://www.freebsd.org/cgi/cvsweb.cgi/src/sys/dev/ixgbe/ixgbe_phy.c?annotate=1.11.2.3

Having said that, I am a happy user of third party transceivers for all my
optical requirements. Will happily give the vendor first refusal on any
third party quotation I get, but it's an offer that they generally don't
take up.

Nick

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