longwave module can't work with 5100B, but works well with 200B

Question

we have a DR environment, and the SRDF link use a pair of brocade 200B switches, now we will replace it with brocade 5100B. when we move the longwave module from 200B to 5100B, the new switch can't recognize the module(the light is amber), but when we plug it back to 200B, it's ok. any suggestion? is it a license restriction or a compatibility issue? thanks in advance.

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dingding

Allen Ward · Answer

Haven't used longwave modules in any of our switches, but the first question I would ask is if you plugged the SFP in a port which had a working shortwave SFP in it before? In other words, are you using a port which was already enabled by a license key?

It doesn't have to be formerly working short wave port. Any licensed port would be fine.

RRR · Answer

Haven't used longwave modules in any of our switches, but the first question I would ask is if you plugged the SFP in a port which had a working shortwave SFP in it before? In other words, are you using a port which was already enabled by a license key?

It doesn't have to be formerly working short wave port. Any licensed port would be fine.

Allen Ward · Answer

I agree. I was making an assumption (which I know I shouldn't do) that the 5100 just had SW installed. I worded it poorly, but was really just trying to determine if the port he plugged the SFP into was 'known good' (i.e. licensed & tested).

ConnectrixHelpe · Answer

I'd be curious to see what the FOS versions are on each switch as there are different bugs that could be causing an issue. I'd also like to see what the logs show for the SFP when it is placed into the 5100B. Has a case been opened with EMC support on this?

Thank you.

andreas.scht · Answer

Is it possible that this doesn`t work because your 200B is using gbic`s for 1/2/4gbit and 5100b have to have gbic`s for 2/4/8gbit?! Just an idea.

RRR · Answer

The 5100 is backwards compatible all the way down to 1Gbps, so that can't be it, I guess.

dingding1 · Answer

maybe below info is helpful,i find all modules in 200B are finisar branded, and all in 5100B are brocade branded. also in errshow, i find 'port faulted due to SFP validation failure' and in switchshow i find 'MOD_INV' for the invalid port.&#xa0; also in brocade manual, i find 'All 8Gb blades will function only with Brocade branded SFPs. There will be 8Gb and 4Gb Brocade branded SFPs available to customers. Attempts to place non-Brocade branded SFPs in 8Gb blades will cause the blade to display the SFP as invalid (mod_inv). Brocade branded SFPs can be used in other products and will be recognized as Brocade branded SFPs'

RRR · Answer

Do you know if for the 5100B you can only use the new 'Brocade branded' SFP's then ? Looks like Brocade is doing the Cisco thing: only branded SFP's will work. I guess that's ok, you just have to pay attention to what kind of SFP's you're using...

Connectrix

longwave module can't work with 5100B, but works well with 200B

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