andysworld!

In your #homelab, if you’re experimenting with VMware vSphere vSAN, having one or two 10GbE switches is essential for optimal performance. A cost-effective option is the RackSwitch G8124E, often available on eBay. Originally produced by Blade, this switch was later acquired by IBM and eventually became part of Lenovo’s networking portfolio.

BLADE Rackswitch G8124

If you own a Blade, IBM, or Lenovo RackSwitch G8124 10GbE network switch and encounter the frustrating “UNAPPROVED – SR SFP+ is DISABLED” message when using non-Blade, IBM, or Lenovo SFP+ modules, you’re likely searching for a way to bypass this issue. You’re in the right place!

I have no idea why Lenovo is so precious about this information and keeps it a secret. Officially, Lenovo didn’t want people tinkering with the maintenance prompt for fear of causing damage and unnecessary service calls. In reality, there’s a lot of money to be made in optics/modules, so for most vendors, including Lenovo, that’s likely the main reason they’ve kept this information private.

Personally, I do not understand why Lenovo is so secretive. The switches are currently available as scrap value on eBay, and Lenovo does not receive any money from the sale of these switches. These devices are out of warranty and will not be used in production, and Lenovo hasn’t sold these switches for over 14 years. Other compatible SFP+ modules are available that work with this SFP+ override, but based on my experience, the effort was a waste of time since modern SFP+ modules are not compatible with older switches from 2010!

Additionally, I uploaded photos of Blade SFP+ modules available on eBay for as little as £1 each to the Lenovo Forums, which resolved my issue without needing the SFP+ override mentioned above. However, as a result of trying to help others in the community by suggesting these purchase options, I was permanently banned from the Lenovo Forums! It’s frustrating when the goal is to assist fellow users, yet vendor lock keeps people from finding practical solutions. I’m not sure if they thought I was selling SFP+ modules! I didn’t post any direct links to eBay!

While this method can unlock non-vendor SFP+ modules, it’s crucial to note that your experience may vary depending on the optics used. We do not recommend using dual-rate optics with these older switches, as they may not offer optimal compatibility or performance. Always ensure the optics meet the required specifications and thoroughly test them in a controlled environment before deploying in live networks to avoid potential hardware or network disruptions.

Procedure to Unlock Non-Vendor SFP+ Modules:

For early 8.X code (8.3.X and lower) or older firmware versions (7.X, 6.X, 5.X), the following steps must be done through the serial console port (mini-USB, RS232 signaling). You need to have a Serial RS232 cable with a Mini-USB connector on the end; please note this is NOT USB!

1. Reload the switch (this will interrupt traffic).
2. Watch the serial console (9600, N, 8, 1). During the memory test (indicated by dots on the display), repeatedly press “Shift + M” until you see the “=>” prompt.
3. At the “=>” prompt, input these commands exactly as shown (case-sensitive):

Command Breakdown:

• setenv sfp Override: Sets the environment variable “sfp” to “Override”.
• saveenv: Saves the override setting to NVRAM.
• printenv: Verifies the variable has been set; confirm you see “sfp=Override”.
• boot, reset, or reload: Restarts the switch with the new environment variable.

Important Notes:

• This is primarily for lab use or urgent situations where a valid transceiver is unavailable. In production environments, always use IBM or Lenovo-branded optics to avoid issues.
• After software upgrades, the variable may reset, so keep these instructions handy to reapply the override as needed.

Thank You Lenovo !

🙂