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Mini-GBIC SFP/ Fiber Ethernet Questions

Gillbot

Gillbot

Lifer
I bought a BATM (Telco Systems) T5C (CN) 48 port switch recently and it has two Mini-GBIC slots for Gigabit ethernet, etc. My main questions are:

Can these be used to link into a server using fiber for a Gbit uplink?

Are the Mini-GBIC SFP units interchangeable between manufacturers? (I can't find one made by BATM so I'm hoping a generic, IBM, 3com, Cisco or HP one will work)

Will the Cisco Mini-GBIC SFP to Copper Gbit adapter possibly work on this unit? (This is my biggest hope as it will be the easiest and eliminate my need to mess with the fiber stuff completely!)

What kind of cabling and NIC is needed on the server end?

(I'm a network n00b and I'm trying to learn on my own.) I will probably get equipment from ebay to mess with this thing, I just would like some advice so I don't waste too much money. 😉 Like I haven't already if you ask my wife!
 
I am not sure in the case of your switch, but I do know that Cisco hardware checks to see if it is a Cisco GBIC or SFP. It is a quality control thing for Cisco but I would guess that your switch does not check the GBIC/SFP manufacturer. Your best bet is to check the manual to see if it states what it does support. As for the cabling, you can go multiple ways. The easiest, if your switch supports it, is go with a copper SFP (SFP is the name for mini-GBIC). If you cannot go with that you are going to need to get a fiber SFP (most likely multimode) and a multimode fiber NIC. For the fiber you would need one with a LC connector on one end and a SC on the other.
 
Yeah, I've been looking at the Copper SFP's on ebay but they seem to be a hot item soi the prices are higher. My other concern is if I bite the bullet and pay the price, will it work.

After logging into the support site again, I see three part numbers:
BTI-MGBIC-GLX-LC 1 port 1000BaseLX Single Mode MiniGBIC transceiver (1310nm) LC
BTI-MGBIC-GSX-LC 1 port 1000BaseSX Multi Mode MiniGBIC transceiver (850nm) LC
BTI-MGBIC-GTX 1 port 1000BaseTX MiniGBIC transceiver RJ-45

It looks as though there are tranceivers that do RJ-45. My only hope is that they can interchange between manufacturers and I can get a deal on ebay for one or two.
 
Gillbot, I have never heard of that switch vendor. It's really your call, you can get a cheap generic one on EBay and try it, but you may have to eat the cost if the vendor checks the ID. There's only a few manufacturers that really make them, everyone buys from the same sources.

I would urge you to go with copper just because adding fiber to your mix of stuff is going to make things more complex. Yes, copper GBICs are expensive, that's indicative of demand.
 
Yeah, I'm thinking I may just bit the bullet and get the copper stuff. That wouls alleviate so many other headaches. My only concern is compatibility of the modules. I got this unit because of the cost, but if adding SFP copper units is going to drive it up that much I'll just sell it and get one with built in copper. (Which is what I should have done in the first place, had I known fiber was this big of a pain.)
 
Now the question is, Should I just sell the switch I have and spend the extra on one that had built in Gbit over copper ports. I'm thinking this will be the best (and most cost effective) solutions for right now. Given the fact that the SFP copper units are skyrocketing on ebay for well over $100 each, and I can get another switch for about that price alone.
 
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