FAQs

Q: Which ProCurve Mini-GBICs and SFPs are supported in which ProCurve products?
The ProCurve Networking Mini-GBIC Support Matrix specifies which Mini-GBICs and SFPs are supported on which ProCurve products. General rules are:

• Only genuine ProCurve Mini-GBICs and SFPs are supported on ProCurve products.
• The J8177B/C 1000Base-T Mini-GBIC is not supported in "dual personality" ports (which already include a gigabit copper LAN port).
• Newer ProCurve products require revision "B" or later Mini-GBICs and SFPs (product number ends with the letter "B" or later, for example J4858B, J4859C).

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Q: Are the "revision C" Mini-GBICs (J4858C, J4859C, J4860C) supported in all products that support the "revision B" (J4858B, J4859B, J4860B) Mini-GBICs?
Yes, the "revision C" Mini-GBICs (J4858C, J4859C, J4860C) are supported in all ProCurve products that support Mini-GBICs.

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Q: Can I mix and match "B" and "C" mini-GBICs in a ProCurve switch?
Yes, "revision B" and "revision C" mini-GBICs can be used together in any ProCurve switch that supports mini-GBICs.

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Q: Are the Mini-GBICs and SFPs hot-swappable?
Yes, all ProCurve Mini-GBICs and SFPs are hot-swappable (they can be installed and removed while the switch is powered on). However, the network cable should be disconnected before removing the Mini-GBIC or SFP from the switch.

Best practice tip: After inserting a transceiver into a ProCurve switch, the Mode LED will come on for two seconds while the transceiver is initialized. Do not remove the transceiver until the Mode LED has turned off. For the Switch 2600 and 2800 Series: After inserting a transceiver into a 2600 or 2800 switch, the "M" LED will come on to indicate that the mini-GBIC slot is active. Wait at least two seconds after the "M" LED comes on if you need to remove the transceiver.

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Q: Which ProCurve Mini-GBICs and SFPs are RoHS compliant?
All currently-shipping ProCurve Mini-GBICs and SFPs are RoHS compliant. This includes:

• J4858C ProCurve Gigabit-SX-LC Mini-GBIC
• J4859C ProCurve Gigabit-LX-LC Mini-GBIC
• J4860C ProCurve Gigabit-LH-LC Mini-GBIC
• J8177C ProCurve 1000Base-T Mini-GBIC
• J9054B ProCurve 100-FX SFP-LC Transceiver
• J9099B ProCurve 100-BX-D SFP-LC Transceiver
• J9100B ProCurve 100-BX-U SFP-LC Transceiver
• J9142B ProCurve 1000-BX-D SFP-LC Mini-GBIC
• J9143B ProCurve 1000-BX-U SFP-LC Mini-GBIC

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Q: Does the J8177B/C gigabit-copper Mini-GBIC support 10/100/1000-T operation?
No, the J8177B/C 1000Base-T Mini-GBIC does not support 10/100/1000-T operation. With the default port setting of "auto" on host switches, the J8177B/C will operate at gigabit speed and full duplex.

However, the Mini-GBIC port can be configured for “auto-100” operation only on the ProCurve series 8200zl, 5400zl, and 6200yl switches using software version K.12.21 or later. The "auto-100" setting is valid for only the J8177C (not the J8177B). With the "auto-100" setting, the J8177C will operate at 100 Mbps and will autonegotiate duplex and flow control.

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Q: When should I use the "auto-100" setting for my J8177C gigabit-copper Mini-GBIC?
The J8177C "auto-100" setting is useful for connecting an 8200zl or 5400zl switch to an Avaya Cajun switch or Avaya G700 Media Gateway (PBX), which operate at 100 Mbps and send non-standard Ethernet preambles. Because of the non-standard preamble, those Avaya products send packets that the Switch zl 10/100/1000-T ports do not recognize. With the "auto-100" setting, the J8177C will operate at 100 Mbps, will autonegotiate duplex and flow control, and will accept the non-standard packets. (NOTE: The "auto-100" setting can be used for only J8177C products, not for the J8177B.)

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Q: What products do not support the J8177C but do support the J8177B?
The 9300m and 9400sl products do not support the J8177C version. Other than the 9300m and 9400sl products all other products that support the J8177B version will support the J8177C version.

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Q: Does the J8177B/C gigabit-copper Mini-GBIC support PoE (Power over Ethernet)?
No, the J8177B/C 1000Base-T Mini-GBIC does not support PoE.

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Q: What precautions should I follow when removing the J8177B/C gigabit-copper Mini-GBIC from my switch?
To remove the J8177B/C from a Mini-GBIC slot on the switch, follow this procedure:

1. Remove the attached cable from the Mini-GBIC.
2. Without forcing the latch, swivel the latch 90 degrees to the unlocked position.

CAUTION: Do not force the latch! If the latch does not easily swivel 90 degrees, move the latch back to the locked position, re-seat the Mini-GBIC by pressing it into the switch, then repeat step 2.

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Q: Is the J9054B 100-FX SFP-LC transceiver multi-speed?
No, the J9054B 100-FX SFP-LC transceiver is not multi-speed. It operates only at 100 Megabits per second.

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Q: Does the J9054B 100-FX SFP-LC transceiver operate at both half and full duplex?
Yes, the J9054B 100-FX SFP-LC transceiver operates at both half and full duplex. The default port setting for this product in ProCurve switches is 100 Mbps Full Duplex (100FDx). In compliance with the IEEE 100BASE-FX spec, the maximum distance supported is 412 meters at half duplex, or 2 kilometers at full duplex.

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Q: What connector is on the J9054B 100-FX SFP-LC transceiver?
The J9054B 100-FX SFP-LC transceiver has an LC connector.

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Q: Where can I buy an LC-to-MTRJ adapter?
Cabling vendors offer patchcords with different styles of connectors. Fiberoptic patchcords are available with LC connectors at one end and the appropriate connector for the patch panel at the other end. Also, some cabling vendors offer short adapter cables that can be used instead of replacing an existing patchcord.

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Q: What software versions are required to support the 100-BX and 1000-BX transceivers in ProCurve switches?
The document titled Support for the HP ProCurve BX Transceivers specifies software requirements to use the BX transceivers in ProCurve switches. The document also identifies ProCurve switches and modules that do not support BX transceivers.

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Q: What software versions are required to support the J8177B and J8177C 1000Base-T Mini-GBIC in ProCurve switches?
The document titled Support for the J8177B and J8177C 1000Base-T Mini-GBIC specifies software requirements to use those Mini-GBICs in ProCurve switches. The document also identifies ProCurve switches and modules that do not support the J8177B and J8177C 1000Base-T Mini-GBIC, for example products with "dual-personality" ports.

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Q: What software versions are required to support the J9054B 100-FX SFP-LC transceiver in ProCurve switches?
The document titled Support for the J9054B 100-FX SFP-LC Transceiver specifies software requirements to use this SFP in ProCurve switches. The document also identifies ProCurve switches and modules that do not support the J9054B 100-FX SFP-LC transceiver.

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Q: What are the optical specifications for fiberoptic ProCurve Mini-GBICs and SFPs?
See the tables below:

Notes:

1. The TIA 568 building wiring standard specifies 160/500 MHz*km multimode fiber.
2. The international ISO/IEC 11801 building wiring standard specifies 200/500 MHz*km multimode fiber.
3. The ANSI Fibre Channel specification specifies 500/500 MHz*km 50 micron multimode fiber, and 500/500 MHz*km fiber has been proposed for addition to ISO/IEC 11801.
4. When using the LX Mini-GBIC in 50 µm or 62.5 µm multimode fiber (MMF) operation, a mode-conditioning patch cord may be required at each end of the link.
5. ProCurve supports up to 10,000 meters, which is the IEEE 1000BASE-LX10 standard. (The IEEE 1000BASE-LX standard supports up to 5000 meters.)
6. The transmission distances are dependent on the particular fiber loss and coupling loss involved, among other factors, and can be estimated from the optical loss budget. For distances less than 20km, a 10dB attenuator must be used. For distances between 20km and 40km, a 5dB attenuator must be used. Attenuators can be purchased from most cable vendors.

• 100-FX Optical Budget: 11 dB
• 100-BX Optical Budget: 14.2 dB
• 1000-SX Optical Budget: 7.5 dB
• 1000-LX Optical Budget: 7.5 dB for multimode, 8.0 dB for singlemode
• 1000-LH Optical Budget: 23 dB
• 1000-BX Optical Budget: 10.5 dB

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Q: What preventive maintenance steps should I consider for my fiber optic cable ends and switch optics?
As transmission speeds increase over fiber optic cabling, dirt and debris on the connectors become more of an issue. A dirty fiber optic cable that works properly for 10 Megabit transmission might cause bit errors when the same cable is used for 100 Megabit or Gigabit transmission. The document titled Preventive Maintenance of Fiber Optic Cables and Optics provides a set of recommendations for cleaning both the fiber optic cable ends and the switch optics to which the cables connect.

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