Can I use Non Meraki 10 GbE SFP+ SR Fiber Transceiver ?

[Jack]

Hello Meraki Gurus,

I'm planning to refresh our 5 departmental switches  to Meraki MS225-48LP .The switch cost seems very reasonable but the 10 GbE SFP+ SR Fiber Transceiver cost $999 MSRP Each and i will need 10 of this which will cost me $10K MSRP before discount.A quick search on Amazon shows a compatible model from 10GTEK selling for only $22 each. Anyone using this 3rd party transceivers with their Meraki network? Any other ideas to safe the save on the ridicules transceiver cost ?

https://www.amazon.com/10Gtek-SFP-10G-SR-Transceiver-10GBASE-SR-300-meter/dp/B00U8Q7946/ref=sr_1_4?d...

[ww]

https://community.meraki.com/t5/Switching/Catalyst-Transceivers/m-p/42169

[KRobert · Accepted solution]

I have used the 1GB SFP modules without issue with both the MX and MS Meraki lines.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013WFH4VC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have also used Cable Matters SFP+ 10GBASE-CU Passive Direct Attached Twinax cables for connecting MS250 and MX250s without issues either.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071KWNFP3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For $22, it can't hurt to buy a few and test it out to verify, but I don't see any issue using GTek, Cable Matters, or Humming Bird Network modules.

[KarstenI]

I have a broad range of 10GTEK modules running in MS-switches and they are working fine for a couple of years. A colleague had one SFP+ that did not work, but well, that's how it is sometimes. 

[SoCalRacer]

Yes that transceiver should work. Do keep in mind there is a very small chance it doesn't because it is not an officially supported model.

List of actual Meraki supported devices

https://meraki.cisco.com/lib/pdf/meraki_datasheet_sfp.pdf

[Jack]

Thanks everyone for the response. I'm now leaning heavily towards getting the 10GTEK version and save 40X. ($23 each compare to $999 each )

Anyone can justify why Meraki sells transceivers that cost 40X compare to a 3rd party compatible units?

[KarstenI]

> Anyone can justify why Meraki sells transceivers that cost 40X compare to a 3rd party compatible units?

I would say "easy money" ... We had an "only Cisco" customer that refused to save some bucks on third party optics because he wanted the "official" ones. And what I heard, that was not the only one. 

[cmr]

They are also often sold with the switches and you get an excellent overall discount as the modules and cables can be very heavily discounted.

[KirkM]

This website is your friend:

www.fs.com

I've been purchasing Transceivers from them for YEARS...religiously.  Also, if I need a cheap Work Group switch etc....

The cables and transceivers though.....lights out.

[KRobert]

Thanks @KirkM ! This site is awesome!