NANOG Digest, Vol 43, Issue 53

Sun Aug 14 02:09:54 UTC 2011

On Aug 13, 2011, at 11:58 AM, Dorn Hetzel wrote:

> [[[ Note: If I could find cheap enough switches with an optical interface I
> would be switching to optical at this point! ]]]

There are some media converters out there that take a SFP/GLC <-> RJ45 for $20-25, e.g.:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=as_li_qf_sp_sr_tl?ie=UTF8&keywords=B003H44S40&tag=pucknethernet-20&index=aps&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325

(disclosure; amazon referral url)

For the cost of 2 of these, and SFPs (plus an x-over cable) it may be worth it.  I know personally I have observed people giving away SFPs as marketing. This may work well for your home/farm setup.

I'm sure there are likely cheaper media converters as well, but this is in the same price range as most 5-port gigabit switches (x2 obviously)

- Jared