Using a SFP+ fixed uplink from a Cisco C9200L-48P-4X

[Leopold Palomo-Avellaneda]

We have a Cisco C9200L-48P-4X and we would like to connect a SFP+ of 10Gb (that from the specs, is a fixed uplink) to a server that has a 10Gb port. We are using a Cisco SFP-H10GB-CU5M Compatible 5m 10G SFP+ to SFP+ Direct Attach Cable Twinax - 10GbE SFP+ Copper DAC 10 Gbps Low Power Passive Mini GBIC/Transceiver Module DAC Firepower ASR920 ASR9000 from Startech.

The questions are:
1) A uplink port, can be used as a normal port?
2) A fixed uplink port, means that can be used but with the "Fixed" speed?
3) A fixed uplink port, can be used as a normal port to connect a server but with the "Fixed" speed?
4) If (3) is positive, how can I do it?

Thanks

[marce1000]

       Answers to : 1) = YES
                           2) No , in theory an uplink can have any speed ,but for a fiber SFP the speed is always
                               fixed according to it's capabilities
                           3) Yes (can be used as a normal port) ; fixed becomes irrelevant see 2)
                           4)  Just configure the port as an access port , such as for your other 'client ports'
                                and or use 'switchport mode host'

    When it does not work ; examine logs on the switch and on the server (network related logs)!

  M.

[Leopold Palomo-Avellaneda]

So, I understand that Fixed doesn't mean anything about speed. Chatgpt says that it means that cannot be configured as normal port, just uplink. So, are you saying that a fixed uplink port can be used as a normal port to connect to a server?

[marce1000]

  - Fixed only means that the port can not be removed , such as ports becoming available when using extra modules; so in my opinion it should be able to use it as a normal port (too). Always kind of mandatory to test, before expecting a positive result for business use.
                   Let alone there could also be issues at the server side (e.g.)

  M.

[liviu.gheorghe]

Hello @Leopold Palomo-Avellaneda ,

Answers to your questions:

1. Yes, the uplink port is a normal port configurable as an access or trunk. It can also be configured as a Layer 3 port with the no switchport interface configuration command.

2. A fixed port in this case means that the configuration of the switch is fixed - 4 ports 1/10 GigabitEthernet, as opposed to modular configurations as the ones seen with model C9200-48T which accepts a choice of available modules https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/catalyst-9200-series-switches/nb-06-cat9200-ser-data-sheet-cte-en.html#Networkmodules.

3. The uplink ports on your switch accepts 1 and 10G port speeds.

4. You can use compatible SFP/SFP+ modules as seen in the following tool: https://tmgmatrix.cisco.com/  - start by typing a SFP model SFP-10G-SR for example, in the next screen choose your switch model from the left hand selector, remove the SFP-10G-SR used initially and you should have a list of compatible SFP, DAC and AOC available for your switch.

HTH

[Leopold Palomo-Avellaneda]

@liviu.gheorgheand @marce1000 thanks for your responses. Tomorrow I will check it.