How to connect Qlogic 2462 fiber to Cisco 2960CG with SFP Transceiver GLC-SX-MM

[Lesailes]

Hello,

I've tried to connect from Qlogic QLE 2462 fiber cart (on HP Z420) to switch Cisco 2960CG with SFP Transceiver GLC-SX-MM, but not success. I don't know anything about network but tried to solve problem via google search but it's really difficult. Hereby is the detail description of my situation, it's really nice if someone could help me, thank you very much.

- I think driver and firmware for Qlogic were installed properly, Bios message is as below picture: 

- Here is the status of the connection when I check via SANsurfer FC HBA Manager, it shows loop down:

- And this is on putty for the switch (illustration only, similar as mine), it show the fiber port is active for SFP Transceiver, but the connection is off (switch don't recognize Qlogic):

Nice weekend.

Regards,

Luisa S.

[balaji.bandi]

That is Fibre channel (not Ethernet presentation) so MMX SFP not going to work.

On top of my head, 2960CG  do not support Fibre channel.

[Lesailes]

Hi BB,

Thank you Balaji, I'm really amateur on this, could you explain more about what does it mean Fiber channel, not ethernet presentation. So this Qlogic servers for which purpose, and If I'd like to connect between my PC and Switch via Fiber ehternet, what should I do.

I saw in the mannual, this MMX SFP is compatible with 2960CG, I also found this link:

https://community.cisco.com/t5/switching/catalyst-2960-cg-fiber-interfaces/td-p/3769576

[Marvin Rhoads · Accepted solution]

Your QLogic fiber interface is not Ethernet. It is fibre channel (FC). FC is a completely different protocol than Ethernet. Your Catalyst 2960 is ONLY an Ethernet switch.

You cannot connect a cable from an Ethernet switch into a FC device and get it to work. While they both use the same LC type physical connector, the signaling that flows over the fiber is quite different and not inter-operable.

Some data center class switches have both FC and Ethernet support (e.g. Nexus 5500 series). These cost quite a bit more than the basic Ethernet switches such as the Catalyst 2960 that you are using. They also use a unique type of FC transceiver for the ports that support FC.

[Lesailes]

Hi Marvin,

Thank you very much for your detail and clear explaination, now I fully understood.

Just one more question, could I use another fiber ethernet card to install in my HP Z420 and connect to this cisco 2960CG (via SFP Transceiver GLC-SX-MM)? If yes, could you please advice an example card, thank you.

Regards,

Luisa.

[Marvin Rhoads]

Why do you want to connect via fiber? The HP Z240 has a built in copper Ethernet connector. You could add a network adapter card in one of the PCI slots with native 1 Gbps fiber built in but it is unnecessarily complex.

If you only have an SFP port open on the switch it would be easier to just put a copper transceiver on it (like Cisco GLC-TE= or third party equivalent) and connect to the HP via Cat 5 copper.

If you need to use fiber due to the distance being >100 M then you wold be better advised to put an external copper-fiber media converter at the workstation. Something like one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Gigabit+Ethernet+media+converter&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

[Lesailes]

Thank you Marvin. It's for audio purpose, it's quite ridiculous. I've already used copper ethernet cat6A to switch but prefer Fiber connection for electric isolation.

External copper-fiber media converter is one of my options, however I still prefer a direct fiber connection from the PC to switch. It seems making the problem become more complex.

Therefore it's very grateful if you could inform me an ethernet cart to install directly on my PC. Because I'm confused between them and bought a wrong one.

Regards,

Luisa.

[Marvin Rhoads · Accepted solution]

The problem is almost nobody still makes 1 Gbps fiber network interface cards (NICs). 99% of what's sold today is 10 Gbps or higher.

It looks like you can get one like this:

https://www.newegg.com/startech-pex1000sfp2/p/N82E16833114123

HP does not certify it for their workstations though so "buyer beware". You would also need an SFP for use with that NIC. So you would need two GLC-SX-MM transceivers plus that card.

In the end though it might not help your problem at all. You might be better off using a shielded copper cable like a Cat 7:

https://www.amazon.com/Cat-7-Ethernet-Cables/b?ie=UTF8&node=9938479011

Also, if you are having audio issues that's more commonly related to electrical grounding and not the network cable.

[Lesailes]

Thank you very much Marvin for your great help. It could break my head without your detail and clear advice. I can now stop following this complex fiber connection.

Thanks again and have a nice weekend.

Luisa.