discussion SFP for something other than ethernet cabling?

[sswilson]

I was scratching my head as to why we have SFP connectors as opposed to just a straight up 10GB ethernet port. Seemed silly that they were essentially selling us routers with a couple of ports that had potential, but were missing the interface guts. A quick google suggests that the reasoning is that a SFP port supports different interface modules so that you're not limited to ethernet as your connection medium.

Anybody out there with a home network who's using something other than straight up ethernet to connect their networking gear?

 

[Izerous]

Fiber > category cable


UDM Pro - Aggregation Switch
Desktop, NAS (2x), Server (2x), NVR -> Aggregation Switch.

Actually the NVR might be on the second UDM Pro port

The only functional benefit of category cable over fiber is the support for PoE. And easier driver support. But I'd honestly prefer to use a SFP+ -> 10gbe module over having to be forced to 10gbe.

 

[JD]

I did fiber because it was cheaper when I started on this 10G journey. The fiber SFP+ modules came with the Intel NIC's I bought, so I just had to buy a pair on the switch side. Pre-made fiber cable is really cheap too.

I use DAC cables between my router & switch since they're in the same rack.

 

[sswilson]

I did fiber because it was cheaper when I started on this 10G journey. The fiber SFP+ modules came with the Intel NIC's I bought, so I just had to buy a pair on the switch side. Pre-made fiber cable is really cheap too.

I use DAC cables between my router & switch since they're in the same rack.

That's not the same single fiber cable that's used for fiber internet is it?

 

[JD]

That's not the same single fiber cable that's used for fiber internet is it?

Different yes, I used multi-mode which looks like this: https://www.amazon.ca/10Gtek-Fiber-Patch-Cable-Transceiver/dp/B019OLTQIM

The fiber Bell and such uses is single-mode which is more costly and better for long distance.

 

[Izerous]

LC/LC is what i'm using as well.

OM4 rating ...

"10 Gbps over 550 meters and 40/100 Gbps over shorter distances, up to 150 meters"

Basically if I got my hands on 28Gbps hardware or something else ridiculous the fiber stays. Category cable keeps needing to be replaced with higher specs.

 

[CMetaphor]

Distance and crosstalk/interference are the last factors. Single mode fiber can do kilometers without repeaters, and isn't really affected by anything. Cat cables can only do a few hundred meters before needing repeaters, and cheaper /older cables are more suseptible to crosstalk and outside interference.