Catalyst 3850 => MS350 SFP Compatibility

[shapesnet]

I'm currently doing an equipment refresh on a telco distribution switch and am unable to get link lights on an SFP downlink from one of the service providers. Current 3850's are using GLC-SX-MMD-COM transceiver and we purchased an MA-SFP-1GB-SX for the Merakis.

My question is what is the equivalent Meraki transceiver if we are using the wrong one? I'm able to find info on a GLC-SX-MMD transceiver but the one in production has a -COM at the end. Does that just signify compatibility with 3rd party vendors?

Any help is much appreciated.

[AMP]

I think the -COM just stands for compatible meaning its not a Cisco branded one but meets the specs of that Cisco model SFP. Dont quote me on that though. Looks like the specs match between the two. MA-SFP-1GB-SX is compatible with MS350.

[shapesnet]

interestingly enough the COM transceiver does appear to have same branding and sticker layout. It also does result in a product match when running the S/N against the Cisco SN check. Maybe COM can indicate refurb? Thanks for the input, I think I've got some next steps to try for troubleshooting.

[GIdenJoe]

GLC- SFP's are usually the 1GB range of Cisco itself and is fully verified to work with Catalyst and Cisco Business line of switches.  However you can't have any -COM or other suffixes which means not an official one.  The GLC-SX-MMD is the official multimode 1 Gbps SFP for Cisco switches.  The confusion is complete when Cisco Business switches also have their own SFP's like the MGBSX1.  I have seen both of these SFP's perfectly work on Meraki switches since they're all Cisco branded.

However if you do deviate from the datasheet, you are a bit on your own for supporting issues directly related to those SFP's.

The easy part is that all Meraki SFP's start with MA-

[cmr · Accepted solution]

Have you tried the existing transceiver in the MS350, perhaps forcing it to 1Gb mode?

[shapesnet]

I did try using the existing transceiver which did not work, but I did not try forcing it to 1Gb. Good idea, I'll give that a go.

[shapesnet]

Thanks for the suggestion. This was a Cogent connection and forcing it to 1Gb brought the link up right away.

[cmr]

No worries, I'd seen something similar on one of our sites, so thought it worth a try!

[PhilipDAth]

I would contact the service provider and ask what they can see.

I'm wondering if in fact the issue is not an SFP issue - but something to do with port configuration at the service provider.  Perhaps they have spanning tree configured to be blocked, a MAC address restriction, etc.

[MattC1]

Did you try reversing the polarity of one of your patch cables?  Just in case your TX/RX Transmit/Receive were physically in the wrong position.  Sometime a fiber cleaning pen will help in case the end of a patch cable has some dirt that needs to be polished away.  Interface settings on the Meraki would be next guess.

[shapesnet]

yep I rolled the fiber initially -- ended up having to force link speed to 1Gbps