Brocade Core Switch replacement with Cisco Core Switch

[kick534]

Hello Team,

We need to replace our existing Brocade core switch with Cisco core switch (9500 Series)

1) Main Build- Core = brocade core switch ICX6610 model

2) Other 10 buildings - Access Switch = in which each cabinets for access switch are connected dual uplinks (model  ICX6430-24P)

Please answer my concerns :

1) If we replace brocade core switch with Cisco core switch it will support the existing SFPs of brocade in Cisco core??? 

2) Cisco Core switch is installed with Cisco SFPs and Access Switch side they have brocade SFPs it will work ???

[Reza Sharifi · Accepted solution]

Hi,

1) If we replace brocade core switch with Cisco core switch it will support the existing SFPs of brocade in Cisco core??? 

Hard to tell without testing. Most of the time for Cisco equipment you would need to buy Cisco branded SFPs or SFPs from 3rd party approved by Cisco.

2) Cisco Core switch is installed with Cisco SFPs and Access Switch side they have brocade SFPs it will work ???

This is also hard to tell but in general it should work, as you are using each vendor's equipment with their own SFPs.

HTH

[kick534]

Thank you for the info

[Joseph W. Doherty]

As Reza already noted, non-Cisco SFPs are hit or miss whether they will operate on a Cisco device. Older (?) Cisco devices also often require a "secret" configuration command (service unsupported-transceiver) to allow a Cisco device to try to use non-Cisco SFPs (I believe later Cisco devices no longer require the "secret" command). Also, be aware Cisco will not support any issue dealing with a non-Cisco SFP - they will first request you replace it.)

As to a Cisco SFP (in a Cisco device) working on a link working with a non-Cisco SFP (in a Cisco or non-Cisco device), yes it should work as long as the SFPs, and media, are per standard. E.g. an SX SFP on MM fiber on both ends, or LX SFP on SM fiber on both ends, etc. (I.e. this should work just like different vendor copper Ethernet NICs on suitable "CAT" cable [for the bandwidth].)