Fibre Channel SFP+ for Ethernet

Question

I have some spare Fiber Channel SFP+ transceivers (8G and 10G) available. Is it possible to use them in an SFP+ Ethernet card (10G)?

Answer 1

Yes - in theory.

First, wavelengths need to match. Both side needs to use either 850 nm (1000BASE-SX or 10GBASE-SR) with multi-mode fiber, or 1310 nm (1000BASE-LX or 10BASE-LR) with single-mode fiber.

Second, the transceivers need to support the required speed. While 1000BASE-X runs at 1.25 Gbit/s physical rate, 10GBASE-R runs at 10.3125 Gbit/s. So, a 8GFC transceiver may or may not work (reliably) with 10 Gbit/s Ethernet.

Third, your Ethernet NIC needs to support arbitrary transceivers. SFP modules contain a small EEPROM that holds information about make, type, compatibility etc. Some NICS require you to use a supported brand (vendor lock-in) and type SFP+ - then you're outa luck - and only some NICs don't care and actually accept FC transceivers.

I'd advise getting a working set NIC+SFP unless you want to spend considerable time and possibly money hunting down usable NICs and returning them when they don't work.