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    10G RJ45 to SFP+ transceiver module to use with a Netgate 6100max

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    • jimpJ
      jimp Rebel Alliance Developer Netgate
      last edited by

      The modules in the Netgate store are known to work, naturally. Also general advice and a few specific modules in the documentation:

      https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/solutions/netgate-6100/io-ports.html#compatible-sfp-sfp-modules

      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.

      Remember: Upvote with the 👍 button for any user/post you find to be helpful, informative, or deserving of recognition!

      Need help fast? Netgate Global Support!

      Do not Chat/PM for help!

      K 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • stephenw10S
        stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
        last edited by

        Ah, I assumed the question was for RJ-45 copper modules specifically?

        jimpJ 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • jimpJ
          jimp Rebel Alliance Developer Netgate @stephenw10
          last edited by

          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.

          Remember: Upvote with the 👍 button for any user/post you find to be helpful, informative, or deserving of recognition!

          Need help fast? Netgate Global Support!

          Do not Chat/PM for help!

          L 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • L
            leeroy @jimp
            last edited by

            @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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            • D
              dauhee
              last edited by

              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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              • C
                Cylosoft
                last edited by

                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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                • stephenw10S
                  stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                  last edited by

                  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 Modules
                  

                  Steve

                  C 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                  • C
                    Cylosoft @stephenw10
                    last edited by

                    @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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                    • D
                      dauhee
                      last edited by

                      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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                      • K
                        kevs @jimp
                        last edited by

                        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?

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • stephenw10S
                          stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                          last edited by

                          That module will work, it's not an RJ-45 copper module which was being discussed here.

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                          • C
                            cdturri @Cylosoft
                            last edited by

                            @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!

                            C 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • stephenw10S
                              stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                              last edited by

                              It would be interesting to test them. Depending on exactly how cheap they are. 😉

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                              • C
                                Cylosoft @cdturri
                                last edited by

                                @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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                                • C
                                  cdturri @Cylosoft
                                  last edited by

                                  @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.

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                                  • C
                                    Cylosoft @cdturri
                                    last edited by

                                    @cdturri said in 10G RJ45 to SFP+ transceiver module to use with a Netgate 6100max:

                                    @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.

                                    Yeah we had discussions around exactly that. They run hotter than I'd like. Could be the cause. We weren't able to line up lock ups with temp, traffic, or anything.

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                                    • W
                                      walsun2003
                                      last edited by

                                      This post is deleted!
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                                      • M
                                        McPerson
                                        last edited by

                                        I know this topic is quite old but it's addressing my exact concerns so I figured that I'd respond to it with the information I've found.

                                        I have a 6100max coming in the mail so I was a little dismayed to find that my assumption of it being able to use a 10Gb RJ45 SFP+ module wasn't necessarily correct.

                                        Maybe it wasn't supported at one time, but it looks like there is at least 1 module that NetGate approves of as it's listed in their "accessories" for the 6100:

                                        https://shop.netgate.com/collections/accessories/facet_product_netgate-6100

                                        However now I'm a little hesitant to open the box in case it affects my ability to return it if it doesn't work. I'm also less thrilled that I have to spend nearly another $100 to get this (possibly) working. I'll hopefully get this sorted in the next few weeks and will post here again. Or perhaps create a new post that's not tacked onto this very old one.

                                        C M 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • C
                                          Cylosoft @McPerson
                                          last edited by

                                          @McPerson We have about a dozen of the Mikrotik SFP's in use with 6100 and 8200. No issues in the last year.

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                                          • D
                                            dauhee
                                            last edited by

                                            I have a startech one and works great on my 6100

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