Link to home
Start Free TrialLog in
Avatar of pzozulka
pzozulka

asked on

HP ProCurve Switch Question

We recently fiber in our company and wanted to upgrade our HP ProCurve Switch 5308xl  with fiber ports. I am not at all familiar with this, so I called HP for support. They said that the RJ45 switch modules currently installed have 2 mini-GBIC ports. You can see them on the far right as seen in this picture.
http://www.hp.com/rnd/accessories/J4907A/accessory.htm

I am now more confused than ever. Never heard of mini-GIBC ports. What are they, how do we use them?
Avatar of Robert
Robert
Flag of Australia image

Basically a GBIC port on the switch accepts a GBIC module, you slide it into the port. Which then allows you to connect a fiber cable to the switch.

Here is a link comparing prices for GBIC modules (with some pictures).

http://www.getprice.com.au/1000BsaeSX-to-Mini-GBIC-Module-Gpnc_521--34323438.htm

Avatar of pzozulka
pzozulka

ASKER

See this picture. http://www.telco.com/files/products/normal/2141&R141_800pix.jpg

Current setup: Fiber > Telco Systems Converter > Firewall > ProCurve Switch (Private Network)
We have 2 fiber wires coming into the left 2 ports of this converter, then from the right port we have an RJ45 cable going into our Firewall.

Desired setup: Fiber > ProCurve Switch (VLAN - Public) > Firewall > ProCurve Switch (Private Network)
So "ProCurve Switch (VLAN - Public)"  would essentially do the work of Telco Systems Converter by receiving the Fiber via GBIC module and converting the signal to a copper RJ45 going to the Firewall. This VLAN would also house the VideoConference system and other systems that need to be in front of the firewall. We would dedicate an entire module to this VLAN.(http://www.hp.com/rnd/accessories/J4907A/accessory.htm)

How would I go about connecting the fiber cables into our GBIC ports on our ProCurve switch? We need this in order to setup a VLAN outside our private network.
Does that make sense, let me know if too confusing. Basically I want to know how to plug in the optics into the GBIC port?
Sorry I forgot to add a couple of things.

Here is a link to HP's mini GBIC SX
http://www.hp.com/rnd/accessories/J4858B/accessory.htm

The difference between the LX and SX is the distance the signal can travel, SX is for shorter distances and tends to be cheaper, while LX is for longer distances and tends to be more expensive.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Avatar of Robert
Robert
Flag of Australia image

Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
Sorry, i wasnt thinking when i wrote that last comment, the connectors i said are FC are actually ST
I guess my question is, what kind of fiber is that coming in to our converter box? http://www.telco.com/files/products/normal/2141&R141_800pix.jpg

I realize that our Switch takes LC type, but what type of connectors are those in that picture.
This is the switch module we already have installed. If you notice, there are 2 Mini-GBIC ports at the end.
http://www.memory-express.co.uk/uploads/openrange_images/HP/OR590000047114.jpg

It looks like an elongated RJ45 port, we definitely cannot plug a fiber cable in there. Do we need to buy a ProCurve Gigabit-SX-LC Mini-GBIC (J4858B) and then plug that into our GBIC port? Im confused, sorry, never dealt with fiber before.
SOLUTION
Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
Sorry, meant to accept both solutions. Will ask moderator to split points.
Finally I have a clear understanding of this stuff. Thanks for your patience.