- Virtual CIO
How to Manage IT During Rapid Business Growth
15 Nov, 2025
£498.76 inc. VAT
AI-generated summary
This is the kind of Cisco-branded 25GbE SR SFP28 you buy when you want “it just works” in a specific Cisco switch ecosystem. For the Nexus models you’ve listed (FX/FEX variants), the value is mostly in compatibility and reduced faff—especially if you’re standardising optics across sites and don’t want to spend time troubleshooting optics that are technically “compatible”. In a multi-mode fibre rollout where links are short (up to 100 m is the practical ballpark here), it’s a sensible, no-drama option.
Would I buy it for £415 ex-VAT? Only if you truly need Cisco optics for those exact platforms, or you’re in an environment where operational certainty beats unit cost. If you’re cost-optimising and you’ve got experience validating third-party optics in your specific Nexus lineup (and you’re comfortable with the risk of picky support/RMA outcomes), there are often cheaper routes. But if you’re running production and “works on day one” matters, this is a fair price for reliability rather than bargain-hunting.
**Who should buy:** IT teams running those specific Cisco Nexus switches over multimode within short reach, who want predictable behaviour and straightforward support. **Who should avoid:** anyone trying to minimise optics cost, or anyone with long project timelines where you can’t validate interoperability carefully—because you’ll pay a premium for the comfort.

STARTECH
StarTech.com Extreme Networks 10303 Compatible SFP+ Module, 10GBASE-LRM, 10GbE Multimode Fiber MMF Optic Transceiver, 10GE Gigabit Ethernet SFP+, LC 200m, 1310nm, DDM, Mini GBIC Module - Lifetime Warranty (10303-ST) - SFP+ transceiver module (equivalent to: Extreme Networks 10303) - 10GbE - 10GBase-LRM - LC multi-mode - up to 200 m - 1310 nm

Dell
Dell - SFP (mini-GBIC) transceiver module - 1GbE - 1000Base-LX - LC single-mode - up to 10 km - 1310 nm - for Force10, Networking C7004, C7008, S5000, PowerConnect 70XX, 81XX, PowerEdge VRTX

STARTECH
StarTech.com Dell EMC SFP-10G-LR Compatible SFP+ Module, 10GBASE-LR, 10GbE Single Mode (SMF) Fiber SMF Optic Transceiver, 10GE Gigabit Ethernet SFP+, LC Connector, 10km, 1310nm, DDM, SFP+ - Lifetime Warranty (SFP10GLREMST) - SFP+ transceiver module (equivalent to: Dell EMC SFP-10G-LR) - 10GbE - 10GBase-LR - LC single-mode - up to 10 km - 1310 nm

STARTECH
StarTech.com HPE 3CSFP91 Compatible SFP Module, 1000BASE-SX, 1GbE Multi Mode (MMF) Fiber Optic Transceiver, 1GE Gigabit Ethernet SFP, LC Connector, 550m, 850nm, DDM, HPE 3812, 3824, 3848 - Lifetime Warranty (3CSFP91ST) - SFP (mini-GBIC) transceiver module (equivalent to: HP 3CSFP91) - 1GbE - 1000Base-SX - LC multi-mode - up to 550 m - 850 nm