A case against vendor-locking optical modules

Mon Nov 17 20:31:31 UTC 2014

On Mon, 17 Nov 2014, Jérôme Nicolle wrote:

> What are other arguments against vendor lock-in ? Is there any argument
> FOR such locks (please spare me the support issues, if you can't read
> specs and SNMP, you shouldn't even try networking) ?
>
> Did you ever experience a shift in a vendor's position regarding the use
> of compatible modules ?

In the case of some vendors (yes, you again, Cisco), the shift has been in 
the wrong direction.

Some vendors treat optics as just a tool to do a job, and price 
accordingly.  Those vendors tend to have fairly relaxed policies re: 
working with non-$vendor optics, as well.

Other vendors treat optics as a cash cow^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^Hprofit center, and 
also price accordingly.  Those vendors tend to scream bloody murder if a 
non-$vendor optic is encountered.

Beyond that, I'd say you've covered all of the logical reasons why vendor 
lock-in is a bad idea, but as others have mentioned in this thread, those 
attitudes tend to change at a ridiculously slow pace, and only when forced 
by market conditions.

jms