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SFP copper reliability in XGS87?

Wayne Folta

I get the impression that the SFP port is more for HA applications, but it now appears that our perfectly-sized XGS87 will be a port short if we get a second ISP. So the thought arises about buying an SFP copper module (say like https://www.fs.com/products/34976.html) to add that extra port. Are there any known issues with adding an additional RJ45 copper ethernet port via F1 causing issues or complications?



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  • 0

    If it is like the xg115 it is a shared port.

    XG115W - v20 GA - Home

    XG on VM 8 - v20 GA

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  • 0 in reply to rfcat_vk

    Does this mean that it's tied to another port -- say Port 4 -- and you can't use both simultaneously? So it's an either/or situation and I don't get an extra port?

    (I can see it as a separate Port under Network > Interfaces, though that doesn't mean it's not shared in some manner.)

  • 0 in reply to Wayne Folta

    On the XG115 which has 5 ports but there is a link indicating you can only use 4 and port 4 is shared between connectors.

    Sounds like the XGS87 has an extra port.

    Ian

    XG115W - v20 GA - Home

    XG on VM 8 - v20 GA

    If a post solves your question please use the 'Verify Answer' button.

  • +1 in reply to rfcat_vk

    I was waiting for confirmation, but decided to just get a Cable Matters SFP to copper ethernet adapter -- about $20 US I think -- and plugged it in. It seems to be working. At least I was able to plug my laptop into the SFP port and view directories on the Apple Time Capsule connected to Port 4. The other three ports are definitely working.

    So it appears that the XGS series (unlike the XG series) doesn't tie SFP and ethernet ports. Which means I'll be able to have two ISPs, VOIP, an APX320, and an NAS all on an XGS87. Woot!

    I was a little nervous about an inexpensive SFP module -- name-brand ethernet adapters can cost many times more. But I was also nervous about cut-rate adapters too. (And may yet experience problems.) But I've had good results with Cable Matters ethernet cables and figured I'd give them a go and, so far, it's working well.

    Again, this is different from how lower-end XG devices handled built-in SFP ports. So even the bottom-of-the-line XGS87 can expand with an SFP module.

  • 0 in reply to Wayne Folta

    Those SFP Ports are for ISP usage, not HA. HA needs only little data for the sync (Sophos HA does not sync data, instead meta information, therefore we do not need a 1 / 10 gbit/s connection for HA). 

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  • 0 in reply to LuCar Toni

    Good to know! I'm tempted to use it for the second ISP. I'm not sure if a $20 SFP module is a reliability issue overall.

    The second ISP would be Verizon FIOS. It would be interesting if a fiber SFP would allow direct connection, bypassing their ONT. (This is not a private residence installation, so we'll get a "desktop" ONT and as I understand it fiber will run through the condo, terminating in an ONT box next to the XGS. Based on previous experience with Verizon, I doubt they would want a direct fiber-to-the-firewall solution, but if it can be done...)

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