topic Nimble HF20 array connecting to Cisco Switch using copper DAC cables in Array Setup and Networking

Nimble HF20 array connecting to Cisco Switch using copper DAC cables

Steve Thomas — Fri, 11 May 2018 08:03:01 GMT

Hi All,

We are going to implement a HF20 array with 10GbE connectivity using the Q8B89B 4x10GbE 2-Port NIC option. This will be connecting to a pair of Cisco 10GbE SFP+ switches.

Can we use Copper DAC cables to connect the array to the switches or do we have to use 10Gb transceiver modules and Fibre Cables. We would like to use DAC cables to save a bit of money.

Many thanks in advance

Steve

Re: Nimble HF20 array connecting to Cisco Switch using copper DAC cables

Sirko — Fri, 18 May 2018 10:22:52 GMT

Dear Steve,

I've got a lot of performance trouble with DAC cable in the past and high rxErrors at tg1 and tg2.

I found Nimble KB-Artikel about compatiblity issue with DAC Cables from major vendors brands.

At the end of the day I moved to Optics /Fibre Cabels and everyting works like a charm.

Yes Optics are more expensive but more reliable.

Re: Nimble HF20 array connecting to Cisco Switch using copper DAC cables

Nick_Dyer — Tue, 22 May 2018 15:20:01 GMT

There are no problems using DAC cables with Nimble arrays as long as:

A) the cables are passive, not active <- this is important

B) less than 5 metres in length

The poster above is referring to a legacy KB article we created where we had found some vendors (HPE included) who had DAC cables that didn't completely comply with standards - causing issues. We tend not to see this anymore.