10G RJ45 to SFP+ transceiver module to use with a Netgate 6100max
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The title says what I am looking for. I am currently waiting for a Netgate 6100 Max to arrive and was wondering if I would be able to utilize one of the 10G SFP+ WAN ports of Netgate 6100 by plugging a cat6a cable from ONT into it via a 10 G SFP+ module. I am hoping to get a 2G fiber internet in the future. Do any of you know if this would be possible and if would any of the available 10G SFP+ modules on Amazon help with this? Or, are the10G WAN ports in Netgate 6100 reserved for use with optical cables instead?
I have been looking at this one in particular:
https://www.amazon.com/10Gtek-SFP-10G-T-S-Compatible-10GBase-T-Transceiver/dp/B01KFBFL16
Thank you in advance!!
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No, the SFP+ ports on the 6100 are not compatible with RJ-45 copper modules:
https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/solutions/netgate-6100/io-ports.html#sfp-ethernet-portsYou would have to use a fibre or DAC link. Or you may be able to use 2.5Gbase-T to one of the igc NICs.
Steve
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@stephenw10 thank you so much! I had a feeling that this would be the case. I also watched Tom Lawrence 6100 review on YT and he mentioned the same thing.
Thanks again Steve! Have a great evening!
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@stephenw10 Based on that documentation link, the statement, "There is an Intel-supplied driver issue for the C3000, preventing 1Gbps and 10Gbps copper modules from being recognized on the SFP+ ports. Copper modules are not supported." Is this just an intel driver issue that will be resolved in the future, or some specific limitation that is never going to be supported? I also see this with the 7100.
Curious also if there is an unofficial list of modules people have had success with (more specifically with the 6100 max).
Thanks!
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It's not something that can be solved in software alone so, no, a driver update is not going to allow this. I'm not aware of any list of modules that exists.
Steve
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The modules in the Netgate store are known to work, naturally. Also general advice and a few specific modules in the documentation:
Personally, anything I had on hand that was not copper worked fine for me: 1G, 10G, 10G/1G fiber modules of different sources and different branding. So long as it linked at 1G in either the combo or 10G SFP ports, or 10G in the 10G SFP ports.
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Ah, I assumed the question was for RJ-45 copper modules specifically?
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Perhaps, they didn't specify, but since RJ45 copper modules can't work, then the only possible answer is to use some other module that does work.
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@jimp @stephenw10 Appreciate it, thanks for responses! Yes, looking for a copper modules, just to simplify already running out of 10G ports on a switch (2 of them) I'll likely just move things around and make it work another way. But if there was some workaround I was going to take advantage of it!
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I'm evaluating option of getting 2Gbps internet line, so might use a media converter to feed RJ45 into WAN SFP+ on the 6100
Also I might see about reassigning one of the 2.5G LAN ports, off the top of my head I think that is possible
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Wait what? I'm running both a 6100 and 7100 with RJ45 to SFP+ modules. They connect at 10G. What's not supposed to work about them? I didn't even know it wasn't supposed to work. lol
Both have some cheap Amazon transceiver. The 7100 connects to a Cisco switch and the 6100 to Unifi switch.
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You might get lucky and find they work but many will not. You will probably find they can't be set to 1G and hence can only work at 10G. Intel specifically mention 1G modules in their notes for the C3K SoC NICs:
In addition, SFP+ devices based on the Intel(R) Ethernet Connection X552 and Intel(R) Ethernet Connection X553 do not support the following features: * Speed and duplex auto-negotiation. * Wake on LAN * 1000BASE-T SFP ModulesSteve
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@stephenw10 I guess ignorance is bliss for me.
When I set them both up I had them connected to a UniFi 8 port switch connected at 1G.
I had bought some better transceivers and had meant to switch them out for the long term. I'll have to see if they even work now.
I just ordered 8200's to replace firewalls. I hope my luck holds up. If it doesn't I'll have to keep the 7100 around for sure.
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I am filled with much optimism and willing to take the chance. Even 2.5G will do me
I’m good with the downsides Steve highlighted
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Hi @jimp sorry if I revived this thread, but I just wanna ask if this transceiver from Netgate transceiver modules is compatible with Netgate 6100 SFP interface?
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That module will work, it's not an RJ-45 copper module which was being discussed here.
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@cylosoft Hi, would you mind please posting the cheap RJ45 to SFP+ modules that you got working in the 6100 and 7100? I am interested in trying them. Thanks!
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It would be interesting to test them. Depending on exactly how cheap they are.
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@cdturri said in 10G RJ45 to SFP+ transceiver module to use with a Netgate 6100max:
@cylosoft Hi, would you mind please posting the cheap RJ45 to SFP+ modules that you got working in the 6100 and 7100? I am interested in trying them. Thanks!
We ran QSFPTEK on several boxes. Several 6100 we have this module and it runs flawless with them. On a 7100 after about a month it would stop routing traffic. Pulling the module out and putting it back in was enough to get things running again.
On the 8200's we have several running Mikrotik. No issues at all. This looks like the one I'd go for.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QWRCP3Z/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YJ38TPG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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@cylosoft Did you check how hot the transceivers run? Usually the RJ45 to SPF+ ran very hot as they need to convert the signal. You mentioning that one of them would lock up after a month could indicate a heat issue.
