Copper GBIC to fiber converters

[gregory.fortman]

I have an install using a pair of stacked 3850 switches as a distribution point for my network. One of the coms closets we use is completely overloaded with other equipment, and there is no room for me to hang another switch. 

My idea is to pop a copper GBIC into the distribution stack, run it into a fiber converter to get it out to the coms closet, then convert back to fiber to plug into the patch panel. 

Since I know general rule of thumb is to plug GBICs into like GBIC, so is this even possible?

Thanks for any help 

[cofee]

As long as you use the right media converter it will work fine.

[Julio E. Moisa]

Hi

Please correct If I understand wrong the question, but I always try to avoid the media converters, I have had bad experiences with them, you could connect directly the switches via fiber using SPF for fiber like GLC-SX-MM

[gregory.fortman]

Thanks for answering Julio.

I agree, I've had my share of bad experiences with the converters. However, they are needed in this scenario. 

I would rather plug a switch in the coms closet there and connect them over fiber sfp. There is currently no room in the coms closet to hang a switch, so we are looking for another method. 

[Reza Sharifi]

Maybe I am not understanding your question, but if you can take a copper out of the comm room you can do the same for fiber. So, as Julio also said, why can't you just run a direct fiber cable out of the room? Can you clarify?

HTH

[gregory.fortman]

Fiber is already to the room, but there isn't room to rack a switch. So I need a way to run across the current fiber, then come out copper in the coms closet so that I can plug into the patch panel. 

[Julio E. Moisa]

I think I understand the question you have something like:

Switch ---- fiber ---- Patch Panel ---- copper ---- Switch (far away from the distribution, right?) 

Is that correct?

[gregory.fortman]

Almost.

Distribution stack --- copper gbic---copper to fiber media converter --- fiber --- fiber to copper media converter in coms closet --- copper to patch panel

[Julio E. Moisa]

That will work, but my personal suggestion is: request a long copper cable, it should has less of 90 meters. 

Now if the distance is long your scheme should be used or fiber if both devices support fiber SFP.

[gregory.fortman]

The distance is over 100m, so the fiber is needed. 

Some of the troubleshooting I've already done is I've checked the version of the iOS, found it behind the times and upgraded it to a version that should work according to the compatibility matrix.

Even after the iOS upgrade, we still can't get a signal. 

[Julio E. Moisa]

Assuming the media converters are working properly, have you connected other devices like a PC on the ethernet port on the patch panel to verify the proper performance?

[gregory.fortman]

I have. The GBIC doesn't work even after the upgrade. I have verified the port is active. The switch recognizes the GBIC. No traffic though. 

[cofee]

Do you have link lights on both ends and are they negotiating to the same speed on both ends ?

[gregory.fortman]

Green link on both ends, set to auto. 

Both converters are the same make and model. Converters were tested without the copper GBIC and work. 

The main issue seems to be the GBIC. Maybe I'm missing a configuration for it. 

The port we have it plugged into is set to the right vlan. Will transmit traffic if I plug a fiber sfp into it. Just won't do anything with the copper GBIC.

[cofee]

I have never worked with 3850s, but is there an option where you can specify that this port will be used for copper and not sfp under the port configuration.