9500-32C Breakout 100G to 4x25G

[prafla001]

I'm working with a Catalyst C9500-32C on version 17.1.1. I have a QSFP-4SFP25G-CU5M module in port 2(the port is breakout enabled). Cisco Optics-to-Device Compatibility Matrix shows that QSFP-4SFP25G-CU5M is compatible with C9500-32C on version 17.1.1. However, port 2 status is err-disabled transceiver-incomp.

Is there something that I am missing?

[Giuseppe Larosa]

Hello @prafla001 ,

you need an appropriate command to enable breakout on the port of intereset see below

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst9500/software/release/16-10/configuration_guide/int_hw/b_1610_int_and_hw_9500_cg/configuring_interface_characteristics.html#reference_y2g_svf_5gb

in your case it should be:

hw-module breakout 2

Hope to help

Giuseppe

[prafla001]

Hi @Giuseppe Larosa,

Thanks for you reply,

I did use the command hw-module breakout 2. The port 2 works perfectly as a breakout port when I use a 40G to 4x10G. However, when I insert the module QSFP-4SFP25G-CU5M in port 2, it shows err-disabled transceiver-incomp.

Any idea?

[marce1000]

          - Is there anything else mentioned in the logs ?

 M.

[prafla001]

Hi @marce1000,

This is what is mentioned in the logs : 

*Aug 26 13:42:34.903: %TRANSCEIVER-6-INSERTED: R0/0: iomd: transceiver module inserted in HundredGigE1/0/2/1
*Aug 26 13:42:34.905: %TRANSCEIVER-6-INSERTED: R0/0: iomd: transceiver module inserted in HundredGigE1/0/2/2
*Aug 26 13:42:34.908: %TRANSCEIVER-6-INSERTED: R0/0: iomd: transceiver module inserted in HundredGigE1/0/2/3
*Aug 26 13:42:34.910: %TRANSCEIVER-6-INSERTED: R0/0: iomd: transceiver module inserted in HundredGigE1/0/2/4
*Aug 26 13:42:36.439: %TRANSCEIVER-6-UNSUPPORTED_MODE: R0/0: iomd: Transceiver module HundredGigE1/0/2/1 going in err-disabled state
*Aug 26 13:42:36.439: %TRANSCEIVER-6-UNSUPPORTED_MODE: R0/0: iomd: Transceiver module HundredGigE1/0/2/2 going in err-disabled state
*Aug 26 13:42:36.500: %TRANSCEIVER-6-UNSUPPORTED_MODE: R0/0: iomd: Transceiver module HundredGigE1/0/2/3 going in err-disabled state
*Aug 26 13:42:36.722: %TRANSCEIVER-6-UNSUPPORTED_MODE: R0/0: iomd: Transceiver module HundredGigE1/0/2/4 going in err-disabled state

[marce1000]

 - You may have a go with this software version (latest advisory)  . check if that can help :

                        https://software.cisco.com/download/home/286319599/type/282046477/release/Amsterdam-17.3.4?catid=268438038

 M.

[pofutj]

Facing exactly the same issue.

I use QSFP-4SFP25G-CU1M passive DAC, also try the version 17.07.01, breakout interface still shows err-disabled.

Any help is appreciated.

Hope 

[drehstrom]

We're having the same problem, using version17.8.1.
I'm sure we're missing something within the configuration, but what?

We definitely need some help here...

Thanks in advance

[William Eckler]

I'm curious if you guys all got this going.  I have a pair of 9500-32C and am interested in connecting newer servers up with 4 x 25G breakout fiber cables to go from 100G to 4 x 25G SFP28.  I'd like to connect two port servers across both switches so either a two nic server would be connected to each 9500 in a port channel or a 4 nic servers would have a port channel with 2 ports on each 9500.  Have you had any success doing this?

[drehstrom]

Still nothing. We still can't make it work. We opened a case with TAC but they've been no help so far. We checked compatibility and every manual, whitepaper and checklist there is. TAC means "it should work"… As I said, they are no help at all. A few days more and I'll have to escalate!

[tomasgravvold]

Please post if you have any updates, we're struggling with this as well.

[itengineer]

Hello,

I have exactly the same error. But I am in different context.

• Two devices with stackwise.
• Cisco IOS XE Software, Version 17.09.04a
• hw-module switch 1 breakout 9
• Hu1/0/9/1 err-disabled transceiver-incomp

Feb 8 13:07:52.951: %TRANSCEIVER-6-INSERTED: Chassis 1 C1/0: iomd: transceiver module inserted in HundredGigE1/0/9/1
Feb 8 13:07:52.953: %TRANSCEIVER-6-INSERTED: Chassis 1 C1/0: iomd: transceiver module inserted in HundredGigE1/0/9/2
Feb 8 13:07:52.955: %TRANSCEIVER-6-INSERTED: Chassis 1 C1/0: iomd: transceiver module inserted in HundredGigE1/0/9/3
Feb 8 13:07:52.958: %TRANSCEIVER-6-INSERTED: Chassis 1 C1/0: iomd: transceiver module inserted in HundredGigE1/0/9/4
Feb 8 13:07:53.178: %TRANSCEIVER-6-UNSUPPORTED_MODE: Chassis 1 C1/0: iomd: Transceiver module HundredGigE1/0/9/1 going in err-disabled state
Feb 8 13:07:53.240: %TRANSCEIVER-6-UNSUPPORTED_MODE: Chassis 1 C1/0: iomd: Transceiver module HundredGigE1/0/9/2 going in err-disabled state
Feb 8 13:07:53.240: %TRANSCEIVER-6-UNSUPPORTED_MODE: Chassis 1 C1/0: iomd: Transceiver module HundredGigE1/0/9/3 going in err-disabled state
Feb 8 13:07:53.304: %TRANSCEIVER-6-UNSUPPORTED_MODE: Chassis 1 C1/0: iomd: Transceiver module HundredGigE1/0/9/4 going in err-disabled state

[Ralf B]

Is there any news here? I'm surprised there isn't more information about this problem. Is the breakout function used so rarely?

[itengineer]

Hello,

It's working on C9500-32C with Version 17.09.04a and official Cisco cable QSFP-4SFP25G-CU3M.

Supplier on compatible DAC is currently unable to provide the good firmware.

[drehstrom]

Thanks for the info but this won't be of much help to us.
First of all these breakouts are copper based and highly unflexible and furthermore we have to bridge distances up to 8 meters. At 25G this won't work with copper.

Anyway CISCO is stating that it's possible and obviously it's not. We relied on this statement and now are sitting on a pile of very expensive GBICs (and worst case Switches) we can't use!?