CISCO 3850 XS 10GB SFP+ with NM4-10 Module

[komondor]

Hi I am trying to get a configuration that someone purchased a while ago actually working.

I have 2 HP Servers  with 10GB copper network cards and 2  CISCO 3850 XS 10GB SFP+ switches  with 3850-NM4-10 Modules.

From what I can tell the 4 port expansion will only allow for fiber  SFP+ modules and my copper options are just SFP 1 GB

Is there a way to get 10GB copper with the switches or do I need to look at purchasing  a 10GB  fiber card for the servers?

[Reza Sharifi]

Hi,

Since you already have the switches, the easiest solution is to get 2 fiber NICs for the servers.

HTH

[komondor]

Just want to be clear since this is another persons solution that I am  trying to implement and it seems they missed a lot.

The only way to get 10Gb to work with the 3850 is to use fiber. 

PS they also had a complete FC  solution for backups without any FC  switches or network cards!

[Reza Sharifi · Accepted solution]

So, you have a couple of options, one is to replace the copper NIC with fiber and the other one is to get a couple of media converters, so they can convert from copper to fiber. I personally would go with the first option as it is cleaner. Of course, the 3rd option is to replace the switch with Nexus as they come with Native 10Gig copper ports.

datasheet for Nexus switches:

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/nexus-9000-series-switches/datasheet-c78-742284.html

Media converter:

https://www.transition.com/products/?keyword_session_id=vt~adwords|kt~transition%20networks|mt~p|ta~432194324764&_vsrefdom=wordstream&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-r71BRDuARIsAB7i_QNnN5pXKE-P4LkXPQkwX0rzekScyQcsvzoh-5tVom-EUX3SmlPze0QaAgLMEALw_wcB

HTH

[komondor]

Thanks for the help I had another thought to check the router the switch is supposed to connect to and realized it is all 1 GB so the 10GB connectivity is Moot, as it would only have  a 1GB uplink.  The  actual backup storage and tape are all FC so no value in the 10GB solution near as I can see.  Hard to believe how poorly this whole project was done, and now this pile of C%%^#$ is laid in my lap without  even a plate!

[Reza Sharifi]

Hard to believe how poorly this whole project was done, and now this pile of C%%^#$ is laid in my lap without  even a plate!

I completely understand. Sorry about that! This is exactly what happens when a design is not well-thought-out. The other thing that I want to let you know is that the Catalyst switches are not designed to be used for data center equipment (servers, storage, VM, FC, FCOE, etc..). So, I would recommend documenting this and letting your management know in case they run to any performance issues later.

[Reza Sharifi]

Hard to believe how poorly this whole project was done, and now this pile of C%%^#$ is laid in my lap without  even a plate!

I completely understand. Sorry about that! This is exactly what happens when a design is not well-thought-out. The other thing that I want to let you know is that the Catalyst switches are not designed to be used for data center equipment (servers, storage, VM, FC, FCOE, etc..). So, I would recommend documenting this and letting your management know in case they run to any performance issues later.