Basic Speed/Duplex functionality of device ports

[707eric]

We currently have multiple MX105's and MS125's. All the 10GB SFP+ optical ports lack the ability to manually set the port to 10GB Full. The only option is auto-negotiate but you can't auto-negotiate optical links. This becomes major issue if network devices other than Meraki are added to the network. Meraki's answer seems to be "Don't use any non-Meraki devices" yet my solution is looking like, "Don't use any Meraki devices"

Does anyone know if there is any places to fix this most basic feature on the 10Gb devices?

[aleabrahao]

That's not true, you must have configured something wrong on the other side.

[707eric]

I've been configuring Cisco devices since back when FE ports were considered fast. It's pretty difficult to screw up setting port speed and duplex on a port.

[aleabrahao]

Me too, and I only needed to set the speed in very specific cases, other than that I always used duplex auto and never had any issue.

[707eric]

That just mean you don't use much fiber because fiber doesn't support auto-negotiate.

[CMR]

@everyone I think we are arguing a moot point here. As fibre only runs at the speed of the optic and in full duplex mode, it doesn't matter if you set it to auto or not as it cannot negotiate anything else.

Let's just agree to disagree 😎

[707eric]

I can agree you are wrong. A switch Identifying a port is set to auto-negotiate is not the same as the port identifying as not auto-negotiate full.

The point isn't moot either because I can make 10Gb SFP+ work at 1GB if I set both ends statically to 1GB. Problem is Meraki doesn't provide the option to do 10GB Full only 1GB Full.

That's cool the lower end Cisco auto-negotiate. The higher end gear doesn't.

[aleabrahao]

I agree that Meraki is not perfect (no vendors are), but I have tested It with Extreme switches, Cisco Switches, HP Switches, etc... and I had no issues. My question is, Are you having any connection issues, or is the fact that you can't set 10Gb full duplex manually bothering you?

[707eric]

Yes, the reason I am bothered by it is because I have multiple Cisco core with 10GB SFP+ ports. Using compatible SFP+ on both ends of the link the connections is not stable be the Meraki runs at Auto-negotiate on the optical link and the Cisco runs at Full.

It's been tested with multiple Meraki firewalls, multiple MS switches, and multiple Cisco cores. It would not be an issue if Meraki devices supported something as basic allowing a person to set all supported speed and duplex on the port.

It bothers me because it would seem like the should focus on getting just the basics working correctly before throwing features at the devices.

[CMR]

@707eric as mentioned earlier in this thread, we link MS to Cisco Catalyst core with 10Gb fibre and set both ends to auto. It's been working without issues like packet loss etc. for years. I'd suggest trying that.

Cisco's own documentation suggests only setting speed and duplex where you have issues by not setting it - normally when the other end has fixed speed and duplex. Where you are in control of both ends auto should be the most reliable option.

[aleabrahao]

@707ericI agree with @CMR

[707eric]

The only reason I am wanting to set it is because there issues when it isn't set. I am in control of both ends but the Cisco optical port doesn't allow for being set to auto, it only allows for 10Gb Full with auto-negotiate. It's common with Cisco because the standard only specifies auto negotiate for twisted pair.

I understand the argument "SFP+" can only run at their designated speed. That being the case, the ports should only be able to do 10Gb Full. I understand auto is easier BUT when you have a device with a 10Gb SFP+ port that doesn't support being set to 10Gb Full BUT does allow you to set it to 1Gb Full. That's renders those arguments moot.

I mean why would they be totally out of compliance and allow the port run at 1Gb Full but not let it it beset to 10Gb like its designed?

[CMR]

@707eric what Cisco switches are you having problems with? We've identified a number of devices that do work with Meraki switches and 10Gb optics, but no specific models that don't. Then hopefully someone here will have the same switches and possibly a solution.

[GreenMan]

It's a different IEEE standard for fibre links - being full duplex only is part of the standard for the vast majority of optical standards, so Meraki is compliant.

[707eric]

If that were true, the 10GB fiber links would shows they are running at 10GB full and not 10GB Auto-negotiate and advertising available speeds.

[GreenMan]

As far as I'm aware, with a 10G optic, it runs at 10g, full duplex, regardless; there's no need to negotiate, because it can't negotiate down to either 1G or half duplex. Check out the first paragraph here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10_Gigabit_Ethernet

This is one of the reasons why SFP+ is physically compatible with 1G SFPs - if you want a 1000Base-SX link, use a 1000Base-SX SFP. I'm pretty sure the same applies to optical Gigabit links too