SFP+ Compatibility

[Paulo Junior]

Is Lenovo SFP+ 10GB-SR p/n 46C3447 compatible with Cisco 9500? Can I plug Lenovo SFP+ on a Cisco Switch 9500?

[M02@rt37]

Hello @Paulo Junior,

To ensure compatibility and support, it's generally recommended to use Cisco-branded SFP+ transceivers or those from Cisco's approved compatibility list. This helps avoid potential issues and ensures that the switch operates within the intended specifications.

[Flavio Miranda]

Hi

 I dont believe it is. You can check for all compatible SFPs here on this link

https://tmgmatrix.cisco.com/?si=9500&npid=190

[Joseph W. Doherty]

Is the Lenovo SFP+ compatible, I do not know.  Generally, the only transceivers "guaranteed" to work are Cisco's which have been defined supported for a particular platform using a minimum IOS version.

Will other transceivers work?  They might, but in you're buying them, only buy such with a 100% refund guarantee if they don't work.

(Unsure it's still true on latest platforms, by Cisco used to disable port if non-Cisco optics detected, although they had "secret" override the [disabling] commands - which if used, still didn't assure operation).

If you already have such optics, to the best of my knowledge, you don't risk actually damaging your equipment if you try other optics.

Unsure if this also true, but if you had a support contract, and you contacted TAC for ANY problem with your platform, Cisco might refuse any support while non-Cisco optics installed.

[Ramblin Tech]

"Can I plug Lenovo SFP+ on a Cisco Switch 9500?"

It is your switch, you can plug whatever you want into it.  However, Cisco can withhold TAC support if TAC suspects that the root cause of an issue is with the 3rd-party optics.  TAC will then resume troubleshooting after the 3rd-party optic is replaced by a Cisco optic supported by that platform's h/w and s/w release.  Official Cisco support policy for 3rd-party optics:

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/warranties/warranty-doc-c99-740959.html#_Toc81362533

Cisco extensively tests the optics it makes itself, and OEMs from other vendors, against its products before saying they are supported.  Third-party optics vendors do not execute the same mechanical, thermal, EMI, power-up, etc tests against Cisco products that Cisco does, so it is entirely possible for a single 3rd-party optic to work just fine in a Cisco chassis, but still have random, unexpected results when you plug in 48 of them into the chassis.  I have even seen where a Cisco-branded optic from an OEM worked in Cisco product, but the "identical" optic from the same OEM purchased through a 3rd-party did not work.  This is not because Cisco is doing something nefarious in s/w but because the OEM is supplying Cisco with a slightly different version number of the same part that has some tweaks to address issues Cisco found during their extensive qualification process.  The OEM may, or may not, be selling that same Cisco version on the open market to 3rd-party sources.

Bottom line: if your 3rd-party optic does not work in a Cisco host product, reach out to your optic vendor to see if they ever tested it for compatibility with your Cisco h/w and s/w release.  Chances are, they did not.