Very basic question: SFP+ / SFP28 compatibility

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Think

Member
Jul 5, 2017
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As I'm looking to buy a new server, I'm thinking about gradually moving up from 10GB to something faster. However, for budget reasons I'm not going to rip out everything at once, but want the server to play nicely with the existing switch (Cisco SG350XG-24T). The switch has two SFP+ port, so I wondered if I could go with a Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx card for the new server (MCX4421A-ACQN), and use that and two DA cables that I still have to connect the new server until a replacement of the switch is due.

So, essentially, the question is if a Mellanox ConnectX-4 Lx 25 Gb NIC (MCX4421A-ACQN) will connect nicely with an SPF+ port in a Cisco SG350 switch with a standard DA cable. (Going for a different DA cable, if needed, is an option - but before I change the switch, I'll just go with a 10GBase-T NIC.)

Thanks!
 

i386

Well-Known Member
Mar 18, 2016
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It should work; I have multiple cx-4 vpi nics connected to "older" 40/10gbe arista switches and they link up.
 

Blinky 42

Active Member
Aug 6, 2015
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Yes it will work fine, I have many ConnectX-4 Lx cards in use talking to 10G switches until we upgrade the switches ;)
 

Patrick

Administrator
Staff member
Dec 21, 2010
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So far we have seen this work. In fact, tomorrow we are going to have a SFP28 network adapter review from Rohit where he tested 10GbE on SFP28 on an Intel XXV as well.
 

Think

Member
Jul 5, 2017
32
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Thanks @all, this is helpful. Now I just hope that also much Cisco SPF+ port will play nicely with my DA cable... :)

Will give it a try.