Cisco 2960 SFP <—> FMC setup

[charlesphoto]

26 minutes ago, nkbg said:

I attempted this with the following hardware but couldn't get it to work. Will try again this weekend.

 

Switch - Cisco WS-C2960-8TC-L

SFP Module - Cisco GLC-SX-MMD Compatible 1000BASE-SX SFP 850nm 550m DOM 

Fiber - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001B1DV3K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

FMC - GTek - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XZ6CV6W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I've tried with the two Cisco switches I have here with that transceiver and couldn't get it to work.  The SFP module works fine in the TP Link or opticalModule so it's not that. I think you may have to console into the switch and manage the uplink. 

[charlesphoto]

2 hours ago, kerisabe said:

Tried hookin up the switch (cisco 2960 48tc) to my Airport Extreme via its SFP 1 port using tplink mc220L , got the lights through the lc-lc fiber cable but couldnt get the mac to show “connected to ethernet” it keeps saying the ethernet cable is unplugged. Please help!

First try power cycling everything from modem forward.

[charlesphoto]

44 minutes ago, kerisabe said:

thanks @charlesphoto will try and do that and will get back to you. 
 

also, it says on my mac, the ethernet is setting its own IP

 

Are you 100% sure the switch has been reset to factory default? And if you have the Airport Extreme set up to give out IP's vs the cable modem/router, then the switch has to go after the AP not before it (that's how mine is set up modem>AP>2960). Be sure you have the incoming and outgoing cables on the AP correct (Wan and Lan). 

[charlesphoto]

10 minutes ago, kerisabe said:

Thank you so much @plissken so the model no is WS-C2960-48TC-L . Does the console cable connects w a mac? It looks like it needs a serial plug? So i guess i need to find a thunderbolt-serial adaptor? 
 

so today i went out to purchase a WS-C2960-8TC-S. I wanted to try it since it has no fan. Managed to hold the mode button for 10s to reset it. Connected the fiber optic to the sfp port and my ethernet to my mac and it worked. For some reason i think the WS-C2960-48TC-L sounds more open in my system?? Which is weird since its got that noisy fan and also when i had it hooked up i was running ethernet cable from my airport extreme to it, no fiber optic. 
 

it just doesnt make sense. 

 

The mode button isn't a reset, but sounds like the new switch was reset to factory defaults or never changed. The SFP in these switches isn't the end all be all and are mostly for ease of hook up. Plus, the switches are of varying age, build, firmware etc, so will have a different sound. Go with what works best. If you truly want optical fiber isolation that sounds great then best to go with a pair of Sonore opticalModules.

 

Newer switches have a USB console and easier to work with on Macs, though one still has to be comfortable with Terminal, which sounds as if you aren't. 

[charlesphoto]

36 minutes ago, kerisabe said:

What do i have to do in the express setup? 

 

I think you're in over your head if you have to ask this question. If it works, and you like the sound, just use and enjoy. 

[charlesphoto]

10 minutes ago, kerisabe said:

https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst2960/hardware/quick/guide/9368.pdf

 

 

Looks pretty boiler plate to me. I seriously doubt these switches are throwing off that much RFI, esp with only a few ports being used. I don't have a portable AM radio here, but you could try that test if you do. That said, you might not want to stack on top of anything sensitive, and keeping any network and hifi gear separated and on different power circuits is just good practice. 

[charlesphoto]

On 6/17/2019 at 3:55 PM, nkbg said:

I separate my home network from the audio network via a pair of FMCs and would love to eliminate one FMC and power supply but utilizing the SFP port on the 2960. 

 

Has anyone successfully connected the fiber output of a FMC to the uplink input of a Cisco 2960 switch with a SFP module?

 

Any help is appreciated!

 

 

 

Yep. Not an issue. You can also go from one Cisco switch to another via SFP. A used 2960 is about the same price as a TP-Link FMC. 

[charlesphoto]

6 minutes ago, TubeMan said:

Don't do that
it will do more harm than good

 

Not to mention you could harm yourself if you don't know what you're doing! 

 

Over on the Naim forum some members are hearing positive results daisy chaining two or more 2960's together. I'm going to try that. In fact I just ordered for the office a PD version for $30, so I'll be going: 

 

2960L-16PS> fiber> 2960-8tc-L>BJC Cat6>2960PD>Cat6> streamer. The 2960PD will be powered by a separate Cat6 from the 2960-16PS. So three in total, two acting as an optical bridge. 

 

For my other system using Sonore opticalModules from the 2960-16PS. Tried going just from the SFP out on the switch and bypassing the first opticalModule, but it sounds best with two opticalModules in the chain (of course). 

 

I figured for $30 I have little to lose (the price of a good lunch these days). Not here for awhile so will report back. 

[charlesphoto]

39 minutes ago, Tintinabulum said:

As all the pros are out in force...anyone have an idea why the ethernet chip on Allo USBridge Sin will not "talk" to this switch (and only this switch)? The older USBridge had no problem. Off topic, apologies.

 

Might be that the USbridge won't talk to to 10/100 equipment (if you're referring to the basic older 2960). I have this issue with the Sonore opticalModule which is 1gb only. When I tried it into my 1st gen Naim Unitiqute it was a no go as it won't auto-negotiate with 10/100. Try it into the uplink port as that's 1gb.