Are GBIC’s proprietary to a vendor?

[ZachBenj]

Most of my switches are Nortel. I have a Cisco switch that someone wants me to Sniff on. The only ports available are GBIC ports. Can I use a Nortel GBIC in a Cisco switch?


My suggestions are what I would try myself. If incorrect, I welcome corrections to my knowledge.
Scott
stomlin@baptistfirst.org

 

[zinkann]

No they will not work.
If you'd like to try just stick it in the slot, and do a show interface Gigx/x. It should tell you the media type. It will probably say unsupported.

CCNA, Network+

 

[ADB100]

This does work... I currently have some Extreme (Finisar) 1000BaseSX GBIC's in a Catalyst 3550 and they work fine. Cisco have made the newer switches that use SFP modules more selective, however there are commands to disable this extra 'security'.

HTH

Andy

 

[zinkann]

from my experience they haven't worked. like i said try the show interface command.

CCNA, Network+

 

[pmoorey]

ADB100 is current, there is a service command that can be run to enable use of third party GBICs. It warns you that this is not supported by TAC.

Peter
CCNA, Cisco Qualified Specialist

 

[burtsbees]

In the past, I also have used Cisco GBICs in Cisco equipment. I know they were at one time picky about their GBICs, but did not know what you guys have posted about the commands that allow different vendor GBICs...

Burt

 

[pmoorey]

service unsupported-transceiver config IOS

Enables the use of third-party SFP or GBIC modules on Cisco switches but note the warning below.

Example output:

Switch(config)#service unsupported-transceiver
Warning: When Cisco determines that a fault or defect can be traced to
the use of third-party transceivers installed by a customer or reseller,
then, at Cisco's discretion, Cisco may withhold support under warranty or
a Cisco support program. In the course of providing support for a Cisco
networking product Cisco may require that the end user install Cisco
transceivers if Cisco determines that removing third-party parts will
assist Cisco in diagnosing the cause of a support issue.



Peter
CCNA, Cisco Qualified Specialist

 

[pmoorey]

Taken from a very useful site:

http://www.elemental.net/~lf/undoc/

Not all commands are documented, so you will not see them all when doing '?' in the CLI

Best regards,


Peter
CCNA, Cisco Qualified Specialist

 

[ZachBenj]

Thanks for the responce. From the responces I a receiving it sounds like it may work but it is not a good idea. I relayed this to the folks that wanted the packet capture and they decided to wait.



My suggestions are what I would try myself. If incorrect, I welcome corrections to my knowledge.
Scott
stomlin@baptistfirst.org

 

[pmoorey]

Good plan!

Peter
CCNA, Cisco Qualified Specialist