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

Cylosoft · Dec 21, 2022, 5:21 PM

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.

stephenw10 · Dec 21, 2022, 6:22 PM

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

Cylosoft · Dec 21, 2022, 6:30 PM

@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.

dauhee · Dec 21, 2022, 6:39 PM

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

kevs · Feb 20, 2023, 7:07 AM

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?

stephenw10 · Feb 20, 2023, 2:29 PM

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

cdturri · Mar 24, 2023, 8:32 AM

@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!

stephenw10 · Mar 24, 2023, 2:26 PM

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

Cylosoft · Mar 24, 2023, 2:34 PM

@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

cdturri · Mar 24, 2023, 4:37 PM

@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.

Cylosoft · Mar 24, 2023, 5:44 PM

@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.

walsun2003 · Jan 27, 2024, 8:04 AM

This post is deleted!

McPerson · Mar 12, 2025, 8:05 PM

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.

Cylosoft · Mar 12, 2025, 8:11 PM

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

dauhee · Mar 12, 2025, 8:57 PM

I have a startech one and works great on my 6100

Dutchy

I use the Delock SFP+ Module 10GBase-T RJ45
Item No. 86460 on my 6100 and have no problems.

McPerson

Thank you for all of your input. Just to close my personl thread, I contacted NetGate support directly, they were very helpful.

My original purchase was this, it was ONLY 10Gb/s:
10Gtek ASF-10G-T80

Then I got this (as recommended by NetGate support), and it also worked at 1Gb/s as well as 10Gb/s:
10Gtek ASF-10G2-T

So far it's working great.