XG7100 and SM SFP compatibility

willserve

Hi all,
First post - be gentle :)
I've got an XG7100 and connecting ix0 to an ADVA-FSP 150-GE102Pro for 1Gbps WAN (typical UK provider/Openreach supplied delivery via SFP).
I followed links here - https://docs.netgate.com/pfsense/en/latest/solutions/xg-7100/io-ports.html that recommended a few SFPs, so I bought a pair of Finisar FTLF1318P3BTL. The ADVA presents as 1000Base-LX SM via its own SFP. I'm yet to take this to client but my concern is that a ifconfig vvm ix0 with the finisar shows the following when testing in lab:

ix0: flags=8943<UP,BROADCAST,RUNNING,PROMISC,SIMPLEX,MULTICAST> metric 0 mtu 1500
	description: WAN
	options=e138bb<RXCSUM,TXCSUM,VLAN_MTU,VLAN_HWTAGGING,JUMBO_MTU,VLAN_HWCSUM,WOL_UCAST,WOL_MCAST,WOL_MAGIC,VLAN_HWFILTER,RXCSUM_IPV6,TXCSUM_IPV6>
	capabilities=f53fbb<RXCSUM,TXCSUM,VLAN_MTU,VLAN_HWTAGGING,JUMBO_MTU,VLAN_HWCSUM,TSO4,TSO6,LRO,WOL_UCAST,WOL_MCAST,WOL_MAGIC,VLAN_HWFILTER,VLAN_HWTSO,NETMAP,RXCSUM_IPV6,TXCSUM_IPV6>
	ether 00:08:a2:12:ab:aa
	inet6 fe80::208:a2ff:fe12:abaa%ix0 prefixlen 64 scopeid 0x1
	inet XX.XX.XX.XX netmask 0xfffffff8 broadcast XX.XX.XX.XX
	media: Ethernet autoselect (Unknown <rxpause,txpause>)
	status: active
	supported media:
		media autoselect
	nd6 options=21<PERFORMNUD,AUTO_LINKLOCAL>
	plugged: SFP/SFP+/SFP28 1000BASE-LX (LC)
	vendor: Finisar PN: FTLF1318P3BTL SN: SFPLH000001 DATE: 2008-09-27

Why am I seeing "Unknown" in the media section..? I can confirm that the SFP is working ( used the other Finisar in a media convertor with a sm cable and it works... But why "unknown" if its a recommended "Specific known-working modules " from above link?

Many thanks!!

stephenw10

It's not uncommon to see that on the ix NICs in the 7100 and usually not a problem.

Is that module really reporting a build date from 2008?

I will say though that some of the ADVA devices are painful to try to connect to. The older FSP-150CP seem to give problems . There are several threads here. They are completely locked down and you can't get BT/Openreach to tell you anything useful so the links either work or don't.

What are you testing it against there?

Steve

willserve

Hi Steve!
Many thanks for the reply!!

I have a startech media convertor MCM1110MMLC and I popped the other Finisar in it and connected with a 1m LC-LC SM patch cable and the startech RJ45 port back to our edge with CAT6. We have a /27 network with spare IPs for testing. The 7100 is online and working in our lab. GW online and tests show all is well.

I did not notice the "2008" build date!! My gosh, thats ancient.. I bought a pair 'new' from Switch SFP... Might let them know... Is that date definetly the build date.? Was just thinking maybe there's some firmware for it..? Having said that, can't imagine SFPs have upgradable firmware on them...

Ok, understood about the ADVAs.. I did see some chat about the issues you raised on forums.thinkbroadband.com.. a great source of UK specific info! It appears the SFPs in the ADVA are the demarcation point for Openreach. So no chance changing the source either.

The provider in this case is Aspire and its a "wires only" provide. So I guess I have to "try and see"? Are there any diagnostics I can run from CLI to determine what the 7100 is seeing at the other end that would be helpful if things don't work..? I'm guessing last resort is to use an ETH port with converter... Was just trying to decrease possible devices that could fail really.. The 1Gbps port speed is hardly taxing for any of the interfaces.

Again, thank you Steve for the reply & advice!!

Will

willserve

Hi again,.. just reading through previous posts re: ADVA's and 1G sm connetivity.. As it happens I have had repeated success with with media convertors (as have many I'm sure) but thought I'd mention it here as a possible help to others.. With 6 ADVA's, all 1G SFP presented (and different providers) I have used these to succesfully connect:

I did try the Mikrotik SFP in the 7100 for a direct connection to ADVA.. but no joy...

Pricing is good for the kit too... as I mentioned it has worked very well over past 3 years (when first went in) on 6 sites with 1G SFP ADVAs...