Can We Use Third-party Dell SFP for Dell Switches?

The debate between using third-party transceiver modules and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) optics has been ongoing. Many enterprises and individual users opt for third-party modules due to their cost-effectiveness, often matching OEM quality at a lower price.

However, there is a general concern about whether the use of third-party optics will void OEM device warranties and support. Dell, as a major networking equipment provider, addresses this in its warranty policy:

"This limited hardware warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship in your Dell-branded hardware products, including Dell-branded peripheral products." (Source: Dell Warranty Policy)

Why Do Network Equipment Vendors Have Such a Strict Warrant Policy?

This is because the original network equipment could make more profit. Most of the time, a network equipment vendor’s sales rep would threaten their customers that if they install third-party transceiver modules in their networking or server equipment, this will make their warranty policy invalid. In this way, the manufacturer tries to coerce customers into purchasing branded transceiver modules from them, usually at much higher prices than third-party charges. In the end, branded vendors can make more profit.

Dell’s Official Notice of Using Non-Dell SFP Transceivers

An official Dell statement noted that non-Dell optical modules can be plugged into Dell switches for use as long as they meet the standards.

“If a non-Dell optic is plugged into a Dell switch, the switch may continue to perform as well as the optic allows. If a non-Dell DAC cable, which is standards compliant, is plugged into a Dell switch, the switch will continue to perform as well as the cable allows.”

However, in Dell’s community, customers are generally discouraged from installing non-Dell SFP transceivers in Dell switches. As Dell Support claims, in order to ensure that users enjoy the most reliable network experience with Dell switches, Dell goes through a very stringent and lengthy process of optics validation, qualification, and certification. If any of the reported issues are caused by the use of non-Dell SFP transceivers, then they will recommend that the customer replace the unsupported non-Dell SFP transceivers with qualified Dell optics. So Dell recommends that end users test non-Dell SFP transceivers appropriately, prior to deploying them in the production environment.

With this in mind, FS is a trusted third-party optical module brand. FS SFP transceivers are professionally coded and tested with over 200 targeted switches to ensure proven interoperability. For more detailed information, please visit the FS Compatibility Testing Laboratory.

Do 3rd-party Transceivers Ensure Same Working & Quality Standards as DELL OEM SFP Transceivers?

Definitely yes! The total amount of manufacturing fiber optics can be counted in the world, those heavily discounted third-party devices may be made in the same facilities as the official Cisco, HP, or Juniper units. Besides, third-party optical modules adhere to the same international standards as branded optical modules, and there are no fundamental hardware differences. Therefore, there is no risk of incompatibility.

Thanks to the Multi-Source Agreement (MSA), which is a technical specification developed collaboratively by optical module manufacturers. It ensures that optical modules from different vendors are interchangeable and interoperable in terms of mechanical, electrical, and optical characteristics. As a result, there is no hardware difference between official branded transceivers and reliable third-party optical transceivers, and the cost can be four to ten times lower. Whether for large data centers, carrier networks, or small and medium-sized enterprises, these certified third-party optical modules meet strict performance and compatibility requirements, making them an ideal choice for reducing the total cost of ownership.

Can a 3rd-party Manufacturer Provide All the Dell Compatible SFP Transceivers?

For Dell optics, almost every 3rd-party optics manufacturer could produce every module of it. That being said, the standards of all transceiver modules are already being defined. Thus, a 3rd-party optics vendor could absolutely offer all the Dell compatible optics. Actually, they could offer more transceiver modules than the OEM manufacturer.

FS.com offers a series of Dell compatible optical modules and optical cables, including SFP, SFP+, SFP28, QSFP+, QSFP28, DACs and AOCs. All of them are fully tested and can work with Dell series switches, including Dell networking, Dell Force10, Dell PowerConnect, and etc. Our compact, high-density and high-speed Dell compatible optical transceivers, DACs and AOCs are able to offer cost-effective options for Dell brand favors. If you are eager to read more about the comparison between 3rd-party optics and OEM optics, you can further read this article 3rd-party Optics vs. OEM Optics.

Why Do We Buy Optics from FS.com?

We truly understand the value of compatibility and interoperability to each optics and the necessity of test assured program. In order to achieve the full compatibility on Dell switches, we tested our different Dell compatible optics on various Dell switches, including Dell-Force10-S4810P, Dell S50-01-GE-48T-AC-SX, Dell S60-44T-AC-R-SX, DELL-N4032F, Dell PowerConnect 5324, FORCE TM S60-44T, DELL-Mellanox M3601Q, DELL ME-M3601Q 4OG, Dell PowerConnect 6224 and Dell PowerConnect 3448. The below figure shows our compatibility test of Dell SFP transceiver on the Dell N4032F switch.

In addition to being compatible with Dell devices, FS SFP transceivers also offer custom services.

Flexibility:

FS SFP transceivers can be reconfigured with the FS Box for use with different brands of equipment, allowing you to mix and match components from different suppliers without compromising network scalability and adaptability.

Reliability:

All optical transceivers are manufactured in accordance with current MSA standards. Stringent quality control is maintained before, during, and after production, with every batch undergoing standardized quality assurance procedures and continuous process monitoring.

Customer Support:

Benefit from a professional team offering 24×5 technical and solution support, along with a 5-year warranty, 30-day returns, and 30-day exchanges.

Procurement Convenience:

With seven global warehouses, a large inventory, and an automated order processing system, FS ensures a worry-free purchasing experience.

Conclusion

This article mainly compared the transceiver module from the original brand manufacturer and third-party network equipment vendors. We can use third-party optical modules for major brands' optical networking equipment. How to choose a reliable supplier from so many third-party Dell compatible optics manufacturers? Before buying transceiver modules, the quality, compatibility, price, shipping, and after-sales service should be considered. As one of the well-known 3rd-party optics manufacturers, FS.com is suggested to be a good choice for Dell compatible optics.