UISP Fiber - Enabling Ubiquiti SFP and SFP+ Modules on Third Party Devices

Ubiquiti SFP and SFP+ modules are widely compatible with third party network cards, routers and switches. However, some manufacturers default to prohibiting "unsupported" modules, requiring the use of their own modules unless configuration changes are made. This article lists the required configuration to enable the use of our UFiber Modules on a variety of third party equipment.

Linux

Intel 10Gb ixgbe NICs require setting a allow_unsupported_sfp value in ixgbe.conf to allow third-party SFP and SFP+ modules. To do so, place the following line in /etc/modprobe.d/ixgbe.conf:

options ixgbe allow_unsupported_sfp=1

The driver must be reloaded by either rebooting the device (recommended) or applying the following command:>

rmmod ixgbe && modprobe ixgbe

FreeBSD

Intel 10Gb ixgbe NICs require setting a hw.ixgbe.unsupported_sfp value in loader.conf.local to allow third-party SFP and SFP+ modules. To do so, place the following line in /boot/loader.conf.local:

hw.ixgbe.unsupported_sfp=1

Reboot the device to apply the changes.

Cisco Switches

Cisco switches require two configuration parameters to use non-Cisco SFP and SFP+ modules. In configuration mode, run the following commands: 

service unsupported-transceiver
no errdisable detect cause gbic-invalid

HP Aruba Switches

HP Aruba switches require one configuration parameter to use third party SFP and SFP+ modules. In configuration mode, run the following:

allow-unsupported-transceiver confirm