Do all cisco SFP modules works in all switches?

[13jobsp90]

Do all the cisco SFP modules are compatible  in all cisco switches? For eg. if the switch sfp port is 10g then any cisco transceiver with 10g module will be compatible to that switch or not other than it is single mode or multimode fiber?

[Joseph W. Doherty]

Not necessarily.  To determine what SFP (or other transceivers) are supported in Cisco platforms, you need to check Cisco transceiver tools documentation. Whether a non-supported will actually work is much like using 3rd party transceivers.

[marce1000]

 - Negative , for per device SFP compatibility use Cisco Optics-to-Device Compatibility Matrix

  M.

[M02@rt37]

Hello @13jobsp90 

Not all Cisco SFP modules are universally compatible across all Cisco switches, even if the SFP port on the switch is designed for 10G. While a 10G SFP+ transceiver is required for a 10G port, factors like the switch model, platform compatibility, and the specific IOS version can impact whether a transceiver will work. Cisco switches may have hardware or software limitations that prevent certain SFP modules from functioning properly. Additionally, newer or high-power transceivers, like those for extended distances, may require updated software or specific power capabilities that not all switches support.

To avoid issues, it's essential to consult the Cisco Transceiver Module Compatibility Matrix and the switch's datasheet to verify whether the specific transceiver is supported by the switch's hardware

https://tmgmatrix.cisco.com/

[Leo Laohoo]

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@13jobsp90 wrote:
Do all the cisco SFP modules are compatible  in all cisco switches?

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Depends on who you ask. 

Any Cisco staff will say "yes*" and the "*" being depending on the firmware and the dreaded phrase "in the roadmap".  

As a network engineer my response is this:  If I am ask this question, this means that the person asking the question has just got duped.  My answer is this:  Get 3rd party optics. 

Why 3rd party optics?  Here are the answers: 

1.  3rd party optics are more affordable.  Our 3rd party optics will even allow us unlimited RMA.  No questions asked.  

2.  Compatibility:  3rd party optics are flashed by the manufacturer to ensure compatibility with any Cisco platform on Day 0.  This means that even if the Cisco platform is not compatible with a particular Cisco-branded optic, the 3rd party optic can (and will).  This was further demonstrated back in 2021 when customers were looking for Cisco-branded SFP-10G-T.  Customers went elsewhere and got SFP-10G-T that were flashed as GLC-SX-MMD or SFP-10G-SR.  It took Cisco about 12 months before the Cisco-branded SFP-10G-T was announced (another 2 months later for FCS).  In addition, the platform need to run a specific firmware version for the Cisco-branded SFP-10G-T but 3rd party optics will work with whatever firmware the platform is running on (Remember:  3rd party SFP-10G-T were flashed as GLC-SX-MMD or SFP-10G-SR).

3.  Bugs:  There are bugs that will only appear when using Cisco-branded optics.

One final note:  In #2, I talk about "re-flashing" the optics by 3rd party optic manufacturers.  Since we've switched to 3rd party optics, our suppliers of the optics have given us four (4) re-flashers for free because we've given them so much business in the last few years.