SFP+ Help
SFP+ Help
My partner wants to install five cameras inside our home. I see a good NVR option costs similar to a Unifi Dream Machine SE, which serves as a solid router and includes an integrated NVR. Plus, my experience with Unifi products suggests I’ll probably choose one of these. You can find it here: https://store.ui.com/collections/unifi-n...machine-se
Pairing this with the new PC I built creates two additional devices with 2.5G NICs, so I might upgrade my switch to a 2.5G model. The unit I’m eyeing is: https://store.ui.com/collections/unifi-n...ise-48-poe
I admit I don’t really need a 48-port switch at the moment, even with five cameras—24 ports would suffice. But I prefer 48 for future plans, since my wife and I might expand beyond 24 connections later. Right now, my setup includes a basic Cisco router, a 1G Unifi 24-port PoE switch, and a few Unifi APs, all wired with Cat-6a.
I also have an older gaming PC in a rack that handles NAS/media tasks; it uses Cat-6a too. I noticed both the Dream Machine SE and switch support 10G SFP+, so I thought connecting the router to the switch via SFP+ would work, then using the switch with an SFP+ NIC on the NAS. But I’m not very familiar with SFP+—almost none.
Is this a reasonable choice for my NAS? I have plenty of PCIe slots but no experience with add-in NICs.
Thank you for your prompt response. Understanding this setup is still challenging for me since everything here is quite unfamiliar. The router and switch are very close together—just a small space of 1U—and then the switch connects to the server, which is about 1.5 meters away at the back.
I encountered an unusual issue with my Intel NIC and Netgear Switch using DAC. It functioned but triggered frequent retries, which seemed normal at first. After upgrading my motherboard and case—requiring a full-height PCIe card—I couldn’t locate the NIC bracket. I temporarily used an AQC107 copper adapter, and performance improved noticeably. Subtle network slowdowns appeared before the upgrade, though stats showed consistent speeds; ping remained normal, but speed fluctuated. Iperf3 tests became much more reliable afterward. During the upgrade, I misplaced my fibre adapter in the socket, damaging the WebUI on the switch, yet connectivity stayed intact. It’s important to be cautious of such oddities and ensure all SFP adapters are securely connected. I didn’t realize they could become loose despite their locking design.
I’d choose the correct length DAC cables then. For longer runs or if you need stealth, I’d switch to MM fiber. But since everything stays inside the rack, short DACs work well. You can find more details here: https://www.fs.com/products/120490.html?...&id=203965 and https://www.fs.com/products/40142.html?a...&id=183627