Are Third-Party Compatible Transceivers Safe? Compatible-SFP
The answer here is an unequivocal YES!
The truth is, that so called branded SFP module are not manufactured by any of those companies. They are manufactured by professional optical transceiver manufactory like Avago, Finisar, JDSU and large OEM factory in China. These factories are qualified by company like CISCO, H3C, HP, etc.
Furthermore, most “third party” transceivers are made and assembled in exactly the same plants assembling officially-branded transceivers. There’s a very small number of devices in this world with the specialty equipment needed to produce fiber optic hardware. As such, they supply pretty much everyone. The only differences between a generic SFP, SFP+, CFP, QSFP+, QSFP28 transceiver and a branded SFP, SFP+, CFP, QSFP+, QSFP28 transceiver is that the information coded in EEPROM within the transceiver according to the buyer`s request.
All SFP, SFP+, CFP, QSFP+, QSFP28 modules contain a number of recorded values by the buyer in their EEPROM and include:
1. Vendor Name
2. Vendor ID
3. Serial Number
4. Security Code
5. CRC
Chances are, there is absolutely no difference between an official Cisco transceiver and a third-party plug, aside from the branding and about two hundred to a few thousand bucks.
Speaking personally, here at BENET we have never seen an actual case of a Cisco switch being damaged by a third-party transceiver. In fact, the failure rates on our transceivers are far lower than most kinds of network hardware. They’re a very basic technology and there’s a reason they only cost a few dollars each to produce.
They just don’t have any real way of failing that would also damage a switch.
Third-Party SFPs Can Be As Reliable As Official OEM Products
The short version is, if you buy a Cisco-compatible SFP transceiver from a reputable vendor who’s backing it by warranty, you have nothing to fear. You’re getting a transceiver that’s every bit as good as the official version, for a vastly reduced cost.
And if you’re looking for transceivers as an inexpensive way to upgrade your current switch, contact BENET today for a free network assessment!
