Instant On - Wired

I currently have 1 Gbps cable internet, a 1/2.5 GbE 4-port firewall, HPE 1830 24 Port POE switch (JL813A) as my MAIN switch, and downstream HPE 1930 8 port POE switch (JL681A) as my OFFICE switch. I have additional HPE downstream switches, but they're not relevant. I am using a pair of 2.5 GbE capable bonded MoCA adapters for the coax link between the MAIN and OFFICE switches. Everything is working great.

I would like to take advantage of new 2 Gbps fiber internet service that will be available soon. 1 and 2 Gbps service options are available, and if I stick with 1 Gbps service I don't need to change anything. However, I'd like to get the 2 Gbps service, so that I can use it in my OFFICE.

I will have to replace the MAIN switch with a 1960 POE switch, which will provide 10 GbE ports. I am also going to have to replace the OFFICE switch but due to the physical size and cost of an 8 port HPE switch, I am going to have to go with a different vendor.

Regarding the new 1960 MAIN switch - can I use a 2.5 GbE SFP+ transceiver to connect to my firewall? HPE doesn't list a 2.5 GbE transceiver option. Does anyone have a brand recommendation? I can actually install two 2.5 Gbps transceivers - one for connection to the firewall and the other for the downlink to whatever I replace the OFFICE switch with so that I can connect the two switches over MoCA. Would there be any issues with this?

It would be great if HPE updated their product line with models that included support for 2.5 GbE.

Thanks in advance to all that reply.

Just checking in-does anyone have thoughts or suggestions on what I posted?

Hi Adam,

Have you thought about using LAC in between the switch and firewall? This would not allow >1G for a specific device of course.... then again, endpoint devices like a laptop are mostly connected with <1G real throughput (and not theoretical wireless throughput)....

I also couldn't find details whether certain generic 2.5G transceivers would work with a 1960.

There are also SFP+ modules which negotiate 10G and 2.5G but not all SFP+ ports can do 2.5G as I understand. 

If your firewall has 10G / SFP+, I'd go for 10G. If it right next to the switch, I'd try to use DAC / Twinax and no transceiver modules.

I don't know what kind of firewall you use, but many require additional licenses for speeds >1G. 

A.

Hi @axthemax, sorry it took so long to respond. Thank you for your message.

I've been investigating the situation and SFP+ transceivers seem like an expense that would be better spent on a switch with the required ports. I settled on the 1960 series S0F35A switch that's 8X 1G, 4X 2.5G |2X 10GBase-T, 2X SFP+. It's pricey, but it seemed like the best solution. I was just looking at the specs and saw the latency specs on the 2.5G ports - now I'm back to rethinking this. 2.5G Latency is 3-4 times slower than 1G!

Replacing the firewall with one that supports 10G ports, then shopping for the best switch choice might be the best way to go....

Or just wait until I get 1G symmetrical internet in a month and experiencing it before deciding if the cost of a new switch and/or replaced firewall is worth it. Irregardless of the symmetrical upload speed, I expect that switching from 1G cable internet from the legacy cable company to 1G (for now) fiber is going to eliminate latency and general slowness than I experience now.