What is Reddit's opinion of MikroTik S+RJ10?

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

Tip: Get this MikroTik SFP to Ethernet module and make it your primary wan from your 2.5G port on your S33 modem. You’ll get over 1000mbps on most gigabit cable plans easily.

MikroTik S+RJ10 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078SNK1MY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_DGEiRon1rOIKk

Ok yea, if you're getting an RJ45 out on the new jack all you should need is an SFP+ tranciever that supports multigig on the RJ45 side.

Supposedly this one would work fine, MikroTik S+RJ10 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078SNK1MY/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_NFVVZDRHD3ZNSVRYCNEJ

I pretty much run all unify stuff at home and work.

I had a USG I was running.

Only real upgrade path I had was a umd pro.

I had a bunch of surplus hardware. Pfsence works well with my unifi stuff.

Are you using one of those SFP + mikrotik to RJ45 It's like 2.5 and 5 and 10 gig.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078SNK1MY/ref=cm_sw_r_fm_api_i_HP9NY1QWPD1GVGJ4WR9R?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

They work well.

I have the same setup and experienced the exact same problem when first installed. If you're connecting the BGW-320 to the UDMP via a SFP+ to RJ45 transceiver, only certain ones work properly to negotiate the upload speed. I tested several different ones (WiiTek, Flypro, etc) and the only one that worked correctly is the Microtik S+RJ10.

The S-RJ10, unlike the Ubiquiti or the endless Chinese knock-off brand modules, is widely known to work with a huge variety of other equipment, and can work at 6 different speeds including 2.5Gbe (which the Ubiquiti module cannot). Pay the extra $10 for the real thing.

Any 10Gbe SFP+ module will get hot. Most people complaining about heat are paranoid. Just because it feels hot to your human meatbag hand does not mean that it is hot according to design of the device.

I have a handful of RJ10s spread across my network and they work great, I wouldn't trade them for anything.

Mikrotik S-RJ10: https://www.amazon.com/Mikrotik-S-RJ10-MikroTik/dp/B078SNK1MY

Also switched to the new att service. I tried a bunch of SFP adapters and this MikroTik one is the only one I could get to negotiate at 5 Gbps with the att RG. The Ubiquiti SFP only do 1 or 10Gbps NOT speeds in between.

For some reason I am limited to 1 Gbps Up, but havnt found a solution yet. May also be the SFP limitation.

Download is as expected on the UDM hardware. Also wish the UDM-Pro went higher than 3.4 Gbps down but I’ll take it for now 😄

>Mikrotik

Thanks for this. Is this the Mikrotik you're referencing?

https://www.amazon.com/Mikrotik-S-RJ10-MikroTik/dp/B078SNK1MY/ref=sr\_1\_3?crid=2HKH823IT0SBL&keywords=MikroTik+S%2BRJ10&qid=1643732928&sprefix=mikrotik+s%2Brj10%2Caps%2C78&sr=8-3

Oh, if you have AT&T they'll provide you with a BGW320 which has a 5Gbe port.

Your next issue is getting the UDM Pro to play nicely with that 5Gbe port as you'd need to swap to the SFP+ WAN port to utilize the multi gig connections. SFP+ RJ45 modules are very finicky in the SFP+ WAN port. The official Ubiquiti one only does 1Gbe and 10Gbe so it will default to 1Gbe and not give you the multi gig speeds. That leaves you with the aftermarket, and well if you want to do some reading you can look into many of my recent last posts in this subreddit talking about that.

The short answer is I spent $670 on various SFP+ modules and the Mikrotik SFP+ adapter is the only one that I was able to get to play nicely. Here is a link to it on Amazon I'm not entirely sure if it's because I found the one that my UDM Pro likes or if the Mikrotik just the only one that works. I will say a few other people have chimed in and told me they ended up with the Mikrotik after going through the same process I did.

The Mikrotik S+RJ10 module is indeed the solution - just installed it, rebooted the UDM Pro as advised and it worked great. Connected it directly to the BGW320-500 5gbe port to the SFP+ port on the UDM Pro with the Mikrotik S+RJ10 module and it is getting full download and upload speeds now. Several other SFP+ modules had lower upload speeds (between 500mbps and 1500mbps but still allowed full download speeds. I also even tried to put a Netgear GS110MX between the BGW320 and the UDM Pro to help negotiate the 5gbe connection, but that also failed to solve the problem (but did improve uploads to roughly 3,000mbps). I am now getting over 4,600mbps upload speed using the MikroTik S+RJ10: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078SNK1MY/ref=ppx\_od\_dt\_b\_asin\_title\_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

MikroTik S+RJ10

Whoever I bought it from that had next day shipping doesn't appear to have any more stock, it's now telling me that it's a week or so for delivery.

Don't get the qsfptek they are fine for cable modems but not connections with real upload speeds. Qsfptek/fs.com/wiitek will limit your uploads to 400-800. The Mikrotik works properly and will give you >1G uploads Mikrotik S+RJ10

Also you don't have to do any weird setting it to 1gb thing in settings all of them will work without any special configuration.

This one works great for me. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078SNK1MY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Works at all speeds 1/2.5/5/10 Gb/s

Have been using for 2 weeks now no issues. The only thing is the UDM Pro displays it as 10Gig when using any speed higher than gigabit, but its just a display issue. Still works just fine and speeds are correct when looking at link speed through windows.

also, would you recommend

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078SNK1MY/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?smid=A1HPV5UFDEO4IL&psc=1

Get this, that's all you need to hook directly into your UDM. That and a cat6 cable.

you are getting poor advice. I do this every single day. And this is really getting stupid. The Ubiquiti Flex XG which has the 1 1G port for management and four copper 10Gbase-T ports is only $299. You plug the management port into one of the 8 1G ports (2.5G) on the UDM Pro SE. If you don't take my advice, and get some crappy SFP to RJ45, you will not get full 10G speeds - you need to get these -

https://www.amazon.com/Mikrotik-S-RJ10-MikroTik/dp/B078SNK1MY/ref=sr_1_3?crid=29J499NNGMH2Z&keywords=mikrotik+s%2Brj10&qid=1668969923&sprefix=mikrotik+s%2Brj10%2Caps%2C116&sr=8-3&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.08f69ac3-fd3d-4b88-bca2-8997e41410bb

and then you will get the full 10G speeds. and these are $63 each, and you have no expansion capability. If I were you, I would just spend the $299, and do this the right way -

https://store.ui.com/collections/unifi-network-switching/products/unifi-flex-xg

Bob Zelin

all great responses. The problem is the 10Gtek SFP+ to RJ45. I am a big fan of 10Gtek, and I had the same problem getting Sonic.com 10G internet to work with a UDM Pro. After Google research, people said that the Mikrotik S+RJ45 would fix the problem, and THEY WERE CORRECT -

https://www.amazon.com/Mikrotik-S-RJ10-MikroTik/dp/B078SNK1MY

Your speeds will instantly come up. And I am sure that the Ubiquiti SFP+ adapter will work perfectly as well.

Bob

Other threads have mentioned SFP+ modules that will negotiate speeds lower than 10G

https://community.ui.com/questions/UDM-Pro-Multi-Gig-SFP-confirmed-working-at-2-5Gb/373a9920-7d2b-4a65-adf5-a1567f19b550

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078SNK1MY

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QXNQTXG

> MikroTik S+RJ10

is the exact module. Hope this helps https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B078SNK1MY?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

I've read that this Mikrotik module is the one to get.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078SNK1MY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

At close to $70 that's just $50 away from the price difference between the Pro and SE. Might be worth the extra for the SE since it'll also include POE.

I'm in Redmond and have been eyeing the upgrade for a while. Don't know how pricing is elsewhere in the states but $120 for 2 gig sounds like quite the deal.

No you can't do that because the XGSPON is just a media converter and not a modem like the old GPON. The XGSPON needs to be plugged into one of Telus' modems to be able to connect properly (either the NH20A Access Hub which is a router/modem combo or the black Nokia XS-250X-A which is only a modem - both have a 10Gbps Ethernet downlink port).

Usually the NH20A can be put into bridge mode, however bridge mode is currently broken when using an XGSPON in the NH20A. If you don't mind being double-NATted you can just connect the 10Gbps port of the NH20A to the UDMP (via a SFP-RJ45 adapter or 10Gbps switch if you have one). For IPTV in this case, you just connect the STBs to the NH20A's other ports (they won't work if connected to the UDM).

If you don't want to be double-NATted, your only solution is to use the Nokia XS-250X-A modem. You'll need to request it from Telus, they don't usually hand it out except for landline installs but they did give it to me upon request. It's a modem only and has a 10Gbps Ethernet port. You just connect the 10Gbps port of the modem to your UDMP (again via SFP-RJ45 adapter), then your UDMP will get a public IP (and even IPTV works with the STBs connected to the UDM in this case).

In my case, I use the XS-250X-A so I'm not double-NATted. Just make sure they give you the new black Nokia modem and not the old white one. It looks like this. If you're going this route, they'll install both the black modem and the NH20A. The fiber will go directly into the black modem, and then they'll connect the 10Gbps port of the modem to the 10Gbps port of the NH20A. You can just unplug the cable going to the NH20A 10Gbps port and plug that into the UDMP (with an SFP-RJ45 adapter like this).

Sorry for the wall of text, just wanted to make it clear what the caveats of each approach is.

Good morning u/sghgigigi -- I have exactly the same setup as yourself. I'm Bell (Aliant) Fiber (1000/1000 on paper, 1300/900 tested verified). Great move on the UDM SE, its a wonderful device that if used correctly is "magic" in the right hands.

This subreddit, can be a bit elitist, harsh, or quick at times. We all had to start somewhere with networking, and we didn't all start out with all the knowledge upfront. Ok, with that prefaced out of the way.

The UDM SE (UDM PRO SE), is equipped with 2x 10Gbps SFP+ Fiber Ports -- the current best module to us is the: MikroTik S+RJ10 with can sync at 1/2.5/5/10 without issue. Unless you have "Early Access" to the Ubiquiti store, as we have a Ubiquiti branded model over there that is doing the same thing.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B078SNK1MY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm using the MikroTik module on my UDM SE connected to a QNAP 10Gb Switch (QSW-2104-2T-US), which has 2x 10Gb RJ45 Ports, and 4x 2.5Gb Ports (CAT 6 over 20 Meters)

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B09B9DS5DG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The UDM SE, has another 8x 1Gb ports of which I'm running various POE items, such as a U6-Mesh, U6-LR, Flex Mini, etc... You will "NOT" get 2.5Gb out of any of those POE/POE+ ports. I think this was an oversight from Ubiquiti, not to at least put 2.5Gb ports on the UDM SE -- but in typical Ubiquiti fashion, it will be 1-2 years late to the party, and cost 20-30% more.

You also have 1x 2.5Gb RJ45 which in the current configuration is used as either the primary WAN port or the secondary WAN port.

So since your getting 1.5/1.0 as tested on the UDM SE that assumes you've got your WAN setup correctly (or mostly correct).

So if you look back on my setup you'll see that I have my 10Gb SFP+ Port (LAN) connected to that MikroTik S+RJ10 (module) -- which is connected via a 20 Meter CAT 6 run that connects to the 10Gb Port (RJ45) on my 10Gb QNAP Switch (QSW-2104-2T-US). That leaves 1x 10Gb Port, 4x 2.5Gb ports available on the QNAP Switch.

I have my Plex Server (Windows 11 Pro)(2.5Gb), Asustor NAS (2.5Gb), NVIDIA Shield (1Gb) all connected to said QNAP Switch. I have 1x 10Gb Port remaining, and 1x 2.5Gb port remaining for future expansion.

The Plex Server and NAS can both pull down the MAXIMUM speed that is being offered via my Fiber connection (1300 down / 900 up). Anything connected via the POE/POE+ ports on the UDM SE directly have a maximum potential speed of 1000/1000, but in reality there is always overhead and this will slow down a bit on the client side.

If anyone was curious I am using the HELLOTEK T8501S as a Fiber to RJ45 Media Converter (SFP+ to 2.5Gb RJ45) for my WAN port, VLAN Tagged 35 for internet. I've been thrilled with this setup, as I've had ZERO slow down, or any other issues to report.

This is the Mikrotik one I used:

MikroTik S+RJ10 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078SNK1MY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Plugged the Cat 6 cable from the 5GbE port on the BGW-320 to the S+RJ10 to my Mikrotik CRS305-1G-4S+IN. The CRS recognizes the 5GbE connection with no issues or additional configuration. The problem I have is this particular CRS model won't achieve wire speeds while being used as a router. It won't use the switch chip while also handling dhcp. As a managed switch, it achieves up to 10GbE with HW offloading, no problem. So connecting this to a 5GbE USB adapter to my PC achieves around 4GbE consistently now: USB 3.0 Type-C to 5GbE Adapter:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RKLQPLP?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

This is how I have it set up in my house. I have the Ruckus POE+ switch to distribute the Cat 6 throughout the house and also connect to the 3 APs I have.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/1504/3ET1lr.jpg

I use this at my house with ATT 2gig fiber connection to my UDM SE and it works great. I get about 2375 symmetrical

MikroTik S+RJ10 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078SNK1MY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_KGDJXYSC605CFSEJ3SKW

This one? ...

​

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078SNK1MY/ref=redir\_mobile\_desktop?\_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref\_=yo\_ii\_img

Stop wasting your time and go buy one of these, which is proven to work by many, including myself:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078SNK1MY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Not only does it work, unlike most others you can get, but it’s hot-swappable, so you don’t have to reboot the console every time you unplug and plug it in.

You can continue to waste time and not get anywhere, or you can buy what works and start getting it set up and working for yourself.

I just did exactly what you're wanting to accomplish. Don't waste your time going through trial and error (like I did) and just go buy this now:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078SNK1MY?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

It will negotiate at 5Gb speed with the AT&T modem and at 10Gb speed with the UDM-P. It will auto-negotiate these speeds, so you don't have to manually do it.

I’m using the microtik s+RJ10, it autonegotiates to 2.5Gb. I’ve got ATT fiber 2G. Bought on Amazon of course like everything MikroTik S+RJ10 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078SNK1MY/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_8ZPWZRDE6VZN1THYP172?psc=1

Have you tried to enable flow control on the switch? That plus the the MikroTik S+RJ10 solved slowness for me.

MikroTik S+RJ10 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078SNK1MY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

If you realllllly want to connect a NAS & computer to SFP+ to have a 10Gbps connection I would go: "UDM-SE" then SFP+ to "USW-Aggregation" then run 3 SFP+ to NAS, computer, "USW-Enterprise-8-PoE"

I believe something like this may help you out:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078SNK1MY/ or https://www.amazon.com/Wiitek-Transceiver-Compatible-SFP-10G-T-S-Supermicro/dp/B07P39G4XJ/

If it was me I would want the SFP+ port on the UDM-SE going directly to the SFP+ port on the USW-Enterprise-8-PoE leaving you with one left. (which is what I'll be doing as I don't have any devices I want to connect to SFP+) Then just use 2.5Gbps for everything and use the 1Gbps ports on the UDM-SE for IoT devices.

I have the new fiber jack that supports up to 2.5G. I'm running that into an SFP+ RJ45 module in the router.

I have an wireless AP in one of the ethernet ports. I have another SFP+ running to my computer.

yes but you would need to add a sfp+ module that is capable of 2.5gb or 10gb. I bought the mikrotik one that everyone recommends. I also bought a generic one that works for me also.

microtik one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078SNK1MY/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

generic one:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M5LIUK5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

you need this. Tons of threads on the same issue.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078SNK1MY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I got this…

MikroTik S+RJ10 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078SNK1MY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

And bam!!!! Didn’t even have to configure anything

Wiitek module no good, use MikroTik S+RJ10 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078SNK1MY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_RYWBHYTQY477W7XJV325

>Mikrotik S+RJ10

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078SNK1MY?psc=1&smid=A1DZ2KWUETHME0&ref_=chk_typ_imgToDp

​

this one correct?

There is a mikrotik SFP module that works pretty good to negotiate at 2.5 or 5Gbps down, but I had to get a media converter to get 5Gbps for both up and down. UDM Pro kept defaulting to 1Gbps up with that module. I don’t know for sure about 2Gbps though, but one of the above options might work.

This is the one I use: MikroTik S+RJ10 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078SNK1MY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_3C82SDPTW7Q3VX5QXC9B

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078SNK1MY/

I'm paying for 1gbs and routinely am getting over provisioned speeds of 1.3-1.4 both up and down. I bought the equipment to upgrade to 2gbs but given they are practically giving me that speed for the cost of 1gbs I haven't had the motivation to upgrade.

No promises ... but I had this bookmarked for some reason. And the description does list the intermediary speeds. But still research the group.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078SNK1MY/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_WZRJSZG2EG53AT5XFPA7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

something like this? they look pretty good, someone is using them for what looks like the exact use case I'd have for them.

I l have the UDM-Pro, not the SE. so not sure if it’s the same issue.

But I went through 2 different SFP+ transceivers before I settled on the MikroTik one:

MikroTik S+RJ10 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078SNK1MY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

And this solved all my problems.

This blog was very insightful.

https://blog.mikeswanson.com/post/661008854541271040/achieving-25gbps-with-the-udm-pro

My setup is near identical, the only difference is I’m not using the switch Mike is using. My LAN port is going straight to my PC that has a 2.5gb NIC card, as I have ATT’s new 2.5Gb plan and I’m getting full speeds now.

Actually, I bought a UDMP and I got the SFP+ ports to auto-negotiate 2.5Gbps. I followed Mike Swanson's great article The trick is to use the MikroTik transceivers. I have a setup just like Mike's with a few small variations. I have an MB8611 modem and I bought a TP-Link SG-105-M2 switch (I like the power plugged into the back on my rack). I also bought a Anker Ethernet Adapter for the PC interface. A speed test from my PC is averaging 1200ish down and 41 up using the Xfinity Gig service.

Quite the adventure with multiple SFP+ modules to get our new AT&T 5Gbs working properly. The only module I found to work was the Microtik S+RJ10. I'm getting 3.8Gbs down and 4.2Gbs up with ALL IDP and DPI turned on. This is on a UDM-Pro (not Special Edition).

On the AT&T BGW320-500 it was clear on the 5Gb interface that Receive was tons of Drops and Errors until I got the the Microtik in. I tried FlyPro Fiber, H!Fiber, and ipolex modules as well from the linked SFP+ module comparison. I could not get any of them to work and they all maxed out Uploads at ~400mbs. The Drops and Errors from the 10Gb transmit speed to the 5Gb receive speed was clearly enough loss to keep TCP congestion control at 400mbs.

This is what home Internet should be. :) Now to completely convert everything in the house to 10Gb and WiFi6 other than the couple of servers. Ug, not looking forward to pulling Cat6 to the attic from the basement, don't have a clear path that I can find.

I've successfully used both of these to go from Fiber ONT 5GbE to UDM Pro SFP+ WAN

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B078SNK1MY

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07QXNQTXG

On the modem end, shows negotiated at 5Gb and on UDM Pro shows 10Gb.

This is what I got. Seemed to do fine negotiating at 2.5gbps. MikroTik S+RJ10 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078SNK1MY/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_W97VYKMYR603AEHYMR3C?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

> So are you saying that if i pop one of those Mikrotik SFP+ badboys in there to my Dell switch which only supports 10/100/1000/10000mbps link speeds, it will appear as a 10Gbps PHY? But on the RJ45 copper side of it if i plugin one of these newer 2.5 or 5gbps NBase-T NICs it will link up at 2.5 or 5 and effectively act as a bridge? If so that literally solves my problem!!!

Precisely!

> I saw a Marvell SFP which looked similiar...are there any other options beside Miktrotik for SFP+''s that operate in a similar bridged configuration?

Originally I actually heard about this special type of bridging adapter from reading Aquantia's announcement back in the day. Unfortunately I couldn't find a way to actually buy one and then they were bought by Marvell. In the meantime I ran across this MikroTik version and haven't ever went looking if I could buy the Marvell/Aquantia one since this worked perfectly for me. To be honest I've always assumed these two adapters are using the same hardware underneath, there aren't many places that make SFPs (though tons that brand them) and of those that do it just seems unlikely two would have put in the effort to make this one off part given its complexity. Never popped mine open to see the real manufacturer though so can't say for certain.

> Do you know if the V1 of the SFP operates the same way or just V2?

Revision 1 didn't support jumboframes while revision 2 does. There may be other differences but I need jumbo so I've only ever tested/purchased revision 2.

> Im going to need a few of these bad boys... any idea where i might find them used and/or less then $100 each?

I just bought new mine off Amazon for about $50 at the time. Looks like it's $65 now. https://www.amazon.com/Mikrotik-S-RJ10-MikroTik/dp/B078SNK1MY

> I dont understand why RJ45 SFP's are so bloody expensive!! A 10gig 10GBase-SR SFP can be found for as low at $10-20 if you look in the right places. While a 10GBase-T is no less then $60 but usually more like $100.

10G fiber SFPs are higher volume production, lower power, and can use cheaper circuitry. The frequencies and encoding needed for high speed transmission over traditional copper cabling is a lot more difficult to implement than for fiber. So much so most 10G adapters only support 30 meter or 60 meter because 100 meter is just too hard to do in the power and space budqet of an SFP+ slot because of the physics.

On the volume side for short distance copper runs in DCs people usually use DACs which are far cheaper because they simplify the signaling (due to be a limited fixed distance). Anything longer and they use fiber. If a business needs a bunch of high speed copper they usually buy the fixed copper version which supports full distances and lower cost due to not needing to translate through a modular SFP+ interface. As a result 10G copper SFP+ adapters aren't nearly as mass produced so economy of scale isn't as good. 10G hasn't caught on for the home yet so there is no consumer demand driving production scale for cheap options either.

> 10GBase-T is garbage from my understanding too...

It's alright on fixed copper interfaces though if you can use fiber instead it's still preferred.

On modular SFP+ interfaces it's best to leave 10G copper as a last resort of either a "we can't either pay hundreds of dollars per cable run or aren't allowed to do construction to get these few one off 10g devices connected in the building" or "we have 2 server interfaces in the datacenter that shipped 10g copper instead of 10g SFP+ by accident, it'd be cheaper to buy 2 adapters rather than a whole new 10g enterprise switch for these" scenarios.

> Unless you have CAT8, short runs Ive heard endless stories of unexplainable degrading performance over copper. Im hoping that using CAT8 and CAT6 cables will achieve full 2.5gbps.

Cat 6 is more than enough for 2.5G/5G, it's even fine for 10G though you may have start issues with 10G on runs that get to near 200 ft unless it's Cat 6a.

Cat 8 cable isn't even necessarily better for 10G than Cat 6a. Cat 8 was made for 40G connections up to 25 ft. Apart from nobody being interested in 40G BASE-T (because the problems 10G BASE-T experianced are exponential not linear) it doesn't actually guarantee better signal over long distances at 10G.

Because nobody actually needs it (there are no 40G BASE-T interfaces by any vendor) and it's not actually better for 1G/10G use you only really see sketchy companies hoping to make a quick buck by getting people to pay a boatload for a short cable because 8 > 6a. I'd stay away from it. Same with "Cat 7". There is no such thing as Cat 7, it went from 6a to 8, companies selling it to you are just hoping to mark up their 6a cables because 7 > 6.

 

The big thing to avoid is fakely rated cables (e.g. sketchy companies selling "Cat 6a" cables that would never actually pass Cat 6 validation testing let alone 6a but most people would never notice as even Cat 5 is fine for 1G over 100 meters).

The second big thing to avoid is improper install. If you're not plugging the cable in directly between 2 interfaces and you want to run >1G you have to make sure the walljack was actually punched down with quality, the intermediate cables are actually good as well and weren't damaged by tight bends or kinks at some point, the length is in specifications (not just to 100 meters but however long your SFP+ adapter actually supports which may only be 30 or 60 meters), and that there aren't too many patch/punchdowns inbetween. I'd also highly recommend against trying to crimp your own cable ends for Cat 6 or greater, it's significantly harder to make your own Cat 6 cable crimps that meets spec instead of just "it works with 1G just fine".

A lot of people miss these points because they've been used to dealing with 1G copper for so long which is extremely forgiving. For folks that deal with fiber or higher speed copper regularly they know it needs more care than 1G copper did.

 

All that being said 2.5G really isn't bad, it's 10G that gets iffy. I run 2.5G over 2 patch hops and 80ft with crap cabling the last tenant did with a mediocre installer and it runs fine. Not as forgiving as 1G but this is on Cat 5e so Cat 6 or Cat 6a should be a walk in the park.

I have a UDMP negotiated at 2.5 gbps to the XB7 using a mikrotik sfp+ transceiver.

MikroTik S+RJ10 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078SNK1MY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_94BKV5JPDZBYTHQGAR0C?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

People have good success with the MicroTik S+RJ10. Can confirm personally. Just make sure to restart your UDMP after insertion / connection.