HPE Synergy Dual 10Gbase-T QSFP+ 30M RJ45 transceiver (838327-B21)

[klui]

This part was talked about a while back being a unicorn. It's available on eBay for $70 and I purchased a couple to try out. Just search for the HPE part number. I'll let the deal makers get better prices. The listing says used, but mine were brand new in sealed antistatic bag with large orange HPE part sticker. Sticker serial number matches the transceiver's. Part "Made in USA(includes Foreign Content)."

It works on an SX6012 running 3.6.8012. I haven't tried on the older version nor my other 40G-capable switches. I tested by loopback on both ports and connected to an Intel X540 card. The port needs to be configured as 2x10G. Doesn't link in 4x10G. Once configured at 4x10G reverting back to 2x10G didn't allow a link. A reload fixed it.

The transceiver runs quite hot with no traffic, maybe 120F (49C). Hotter than single SFP+ 10Gbase-T transceiver. But the fan on the SX6012 is configure to 35%.

sx6012b [standalone: master] # conf t
sx6012b [standalone: master] (config) # interface ethernet 1/4
sx6012b [standalone: master] (config interface ethernet 1/4) # shutdown
sx6012b [standalone: master] (config interface ethernet 1/4) # module-type qsfp-split-2
the following interfaces will be unmapped: 1/4
Type 'yes' to confirm split: yes
sx6012b [standalone: master] (config) # show interfaces status
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Port                Operational state   Admin     Speed          Description
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
mgmt0               Down                Enabled   10Mb/s (auto)  -
ib0                 Down                Enabled   10 Gb/sec (4X) -
Eth1/1              Down                Enabled   40 Gbps        -
Eth1/2              Down                Enabled   56 Gbps        -
Eth1/3              Down                Enabled   40 Gbps        -
Eth1/4/1            Down                Enabled   10 Gbps        -
Eth1/4/2            Down                Enabled   10 Gbps        -
Eth1/5              Down                Enabled   40 Gbps        -
Eth1/6              Down                Enabled   40 Gbps        -
sx6012b [standalone: master] (config) # exit
sx6012b [standalone: master] # show interfaces ethernet 1/4/1 capabilities

Eth1/4/1
Speed       : 1G,10G
FlowControl : Send, Receive
sx6012b [standalone: master] # show interfaces ethernet 1/4/1 transceiver
Port 1/4/1 state
        identifier             : QSFP+
        cable/module type      : Passive copper, unequalized
        ethernet speed and type: Not supported
        vendor                 : Methode Elec.
        cable length           : -
        part number            : SP9052-HPE
        revision               : -
        serial number          : xxxxxxxxxx


sx6012b [standalone: master] # show interfaces ethernet 1/4/2 status

Port                   Operational state           Speed                  Negotiation
----                   -----------------           -----                  -----------
Eth1/4/2               Up                          10 Gbps                No-Negotiation
sx6012b [standalone: master] # show interfaces status
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Port                Operational state   Admin     Speed          Description
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
mgmt0               Down                Enabled   10Mb/s (auto)  -
ib0                 Down                Enabled   10 Gb/sec (4X) -
Eth1/1              Down                Enabled   40 Gbps        -
Eth1/2              Down                Enabled   56 Gbps        -
Eth1/3              Down                Enabled   40 Gbps        -
Eth1/4/1            Up                  Enabled   10 Gbps        -
Eth1/4/2            Up                  Enabled   10 Gbps        -
Eth1/5              Down                Enabled   40 Gbps        -
Eth1/6              Down                Enabled   40 Gbps        -
sx6012b [standalone: master] #

 

[up3up4]

It also works on SX6036. But it can't work on SN2700.

 

[gtcdma]

I wonder if it works with a ConnectX-3 NIC, at least for one of the two ports.

 

[klui]

This transceiver can't be used on my 6012 unless the port is split.

If you're thinking about splitting the CX3's port, older ones like the CX3 with QSFP can't be split, only newer ones.

 

[gtcdma]

Just got one and it does work with a ConnectX-3, but only one RJ45 port is functional, as expected.
So it can be used as an alternative to a QSA adapter + 10GBase-T SFP+ if you need a copper connection.

$ sudo ethtool -m enp12s0
Identifier : 0x0d (QSFP+)
Extended identifier : 0xc0
Extended identifier description : 3.5W max. Power consumption
Extended identifier description : No CDR in TX, No CDR in RX
Extended identifier description : High Power Class (> 3.5 W) not enabled
Connector : 0x22 (RJ45)
Transceiver codes : 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00 0x00
Encoding : 0x00 (unspecified)
BR, Nominal : 10000Mbps
Rate identifier : 0x00
Length (SMF,km) : 0km
Length (OM3 50um) : 0m
Length (OM2 50um) : 0m
Length (OM1 62.5um) : 0m
Length (Copper or Active cable) : 30m
Transmitter technology : 0xa0 (Copper cable unequalized)
Attenuation at 2.5GHz : 0db
Attenuation at 5.0GHz : 0db
Attenuation at 7.0GHz : 0db
Attenuation at 12.9GHz : 0db
Vendor name : Methode Elec.
Vendor OUI : 00:17:05
Vendor PN : SP9053-HPE
Vendor rev : -
Vendor SN : 3US03102YQ
Date code : 20072901
Revision Compliance : Revision not specified
Module temperature : 0.00 degrees C / 32.00 degrees F
Module voltage : 0.0000 V

 

[iraqigeek]

I had recently bought a SX6012 and later bought lot four of HPE Synergy Dual 10Gbase-T adapters on ebay. I'm new to everything Mellanox. I was struggling to get them to work, but thanks to your post, I have them now working. So, I wanted to say thanks

My home network is 1gb, and you also need to set the link speed to 1gb if you're connecting the SX switch to a 1gb switch. It doesn't auto-negotiate. module-type is documented on page 701 of MLNX_OS_VPI_User_Manual v4.80.

I also found this gist to set the fan-speed manually to quiet the switch without changing the fans:

Mellanox SX6012 Fan control

Mellanox SX6012 Fan control. GitHub Gist: instantly share code, notes, and snippets.

gist.github.com

Mine are set to 28 now