Connecting a XENPAK-10GB-LX4 to a SR-equivalent SFP?

[Persio Pucci]

Hey all,

My customer has a 6500 10G port using a XENPAK-10GB-LX4 and needs to connect to a F5 BigIP load balancer that uses a SR equivalent SFP. Assuming they use different wavelenghts (1310 for the LX4 vs. 850 from the SR), I need to confirm if this will or will not work (I believe it won't).

Persio

[pwwiddicombe · Accepted solution]

It won't as is; but you will have to get a proper Xenpak and it will.

LX uses laser technology, single mode fiber, very tight and narrow beam of light.

SR is surface mount LED, multimode, and much broader beam.

End-to-end have to match, or the light path simply doesn't make it through reliably.  Even one incorrect fiber patch cord can mess things up.