Generic 10G Wiring question

Question

I have CAT 7 cable runs and am looking to create a 10GB backbone between our servers and key area's of our network where end-users will have 1GB throughput (until costs come down). I'm at the juncture where I need to consider switches

1 or 2- 48 port managed

1 or 2- 24 port managed

and potentially 3 - 4 12 unmanaged switches.

I don't necessarily need all the port to be 10GB capable, only just enough (for now) to cover the backbone runs.

My question: I have CAT7 cables run (copper) and I have CAT7 modular plugs and Keystones. Do I need SFP+ to RJ45 Copper modeule 10GB Tranceivers in addition to the plus and keystones?

Additional Question: If so, I assume one on either end of each backbone run (2 per line). Which tranceivers Netwear and Compatible brand are recommended?

Thanks in advance

schumaku · Answer

There are switches with "just" a few 10G ports (typically for uplink/switch interconnect/storage...) and the others 1G ports (various GSxxxT for example). Of course, there are also pure 10G switches (XS724E, XSxxxT).&nbsp;Many switch models have combined 10G copper/RJ45 and SFP+ port pairs - only one of these pairs can be used at a time.&nbsp;Be aware that 10G copper ports don't sync to the legacy 10Mb/s and Fast Ethernet (100 Mb/s) devices.&nbsp;Further on, earlier switches with 10G ports only sync to 1G and 10G, while some other have 10G-MultiGig ports which can sync to 1G/2.5G/5G/10G. For switch interconnection and most storage/NAS applications that's not a big implication.

msi · Answer

&gt; Do I need SFP+ to RJ45 Copper modeule 10GB Tranceivers in addition to the plus and keystones?&nbsp;There are switches that have both SFP+ as well as 10GBASE-T Ports. In the later case there is usually no need for an extra module. Also keep in mind that these modules (due to power limits of the SFP+ slot) limit the cable length. 30m is a usual limit, this might depend on the module and your cables. If you have a 10GBASE-T RJ45 port on your switch that would usually be preferred in your case.

AllanA · Answer

Thank you. While it's logical, It seems odd to me to think there are advantages to not using the SFP+ modules. I'm glad I asked.

With the non-SFP+ switches, is every port then a 10G port or is it isolated to those ports dedicated to the higher speed? To control costs I'm looking to slowly meter out deployment of the 10G backbone and then extending it outward. I would imagine 12, 24 or 52 ports of 10G capability would be much more expensive than 2,4, or 6 dedicated 10G ports with the rest being 1G.

msi · Answer

In the case of the M4300 for all detail check the data sheets. There are switches in that product line that are majorly 10/100/1000 BASE-T (typically with the one model having PoE capability. These often have 2 SFP+ and 2 10GBASE-T ports. There are other models that are mostly 10G oriented where you have a selection of mixtures or only a certain type of ports being 10GBASE-T or SFP+.

There is a mixture of models available, if you want to control cost, consider the half-wide models with 8 or 16 10G ports, they are 10G only, but they are less expensive than the largest models such as a fully built-up M4300-96X (which even supports some QSFP+).

AllanA · Answer

To clarify, "Be aware that 10G copper ports don't sync to the legacy 10Mb/s and Fast Ethernet (100 Mb/s) devices."&nbsp;Are you saying that only SFP+ ports/devices permit backward compatability to 10/100/1000 fast ethernet? If true, then SFP+ is the route I would prefer to take as I'm certain there are plenty of 100Mb/s and 1Gb/s lines running throughout the campuses.&nbsp;My intention, at least initially, is to create the backbone between key departmental servers using 10G and leaving rest of the systems connected to the switch to run 1G or 100Mb (if necessary). But backward compatability is needed unless I want to begin rewiring everything (I don't, yet.).

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Generic 10G Wiring question

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