What Is the Cisco 8812=? Features, Applications, and Compatibility Insights

Defining the Cisco 8812=

The ​​Cisco 8812=​​ is a ​​high-performance SFP+ (Small Form-Factor Pluggable) transceiver module​​ engineered for Fibre Channel (FC) and Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) deployments. Designed for Cisco’s MDS 9000 Series switches, it supports ​​8Gbps data rates​​, enabling low-latency connectivity in storage area networks (SANs). The “=” suffix denotes a specific configuration, often indicating bundled licensing or vendor-specific optimizations.

Key Technical Specifications

• ​​Data Rate​​: 8.5 Gbps, compliant with FC-PI-4 standards.
• ​​Wavelength​​: 850nm for short-range multimode fiber (SR) applications.
• ​​Maximum Distance​​: Up to 150 meters on OM3 fiber.
• ​​Compatibility​​: Exclusively pairs with Cisco MDS 9148S, 9132T, and 9396S switches.
• ​​Operating Temperature​​: 0°C to 70°C, suitable for enterprise data centers.

How Does the 8812= Compare to Newer Modules?

​​Cost Efficiency​​: While newer 16G/32G Fibre Channel modules offer higher speeds, the 8812= remains ​​cost-effective​​ for legacy 8G environments.
​​Power Consumption​​: Draws 1.5W per port, outperforming some third-party modules in energy efficiency.
​​Cisco Ecosystem Integration​​: Unlike generic SFPs, the 8812= avoids firmware mismatches and supports features like ​​Fabric Manager integration​​ and ​​port-level diagnostics​​.

Primary Use Cases

• ​​SAN Consolidation​​: Connects storage arrays to switches in virtualized environments.
• ​​Disaster Recovery​​: Provides redundant links for synchronous data replication.
• ​​Mid-Tier Storage​​: Ideal for SMEs needing reliable 8Gbps FC without upgrading infrastructure.

Addressing Common Buyer Concerns

​​Q​​: Can the 8812= work with non-Cisco switches?
​​A​​: No—Cisco locks SFP+ modules to its hardware via ​​Cisco Smart Serial ID​​. Third-party switches will reject the module.

​​Q​​: Is the 8812= backward-compatible with 4G Fibre Channel?
​​A​​: Yes, it auto-negotiates with 4G/2G devices but operates at the lower speed.

For verified compatibility, [“8812=” link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/) offers certified refurbished modules with full diagnostics.

Evaluating Long-Term Viability

Despite the rise of 16G/32G Fibre Channel, the 8812= retains relevance in environments where infrastructure upgrades are cost-prohibitive. Its ​​plug-and-play reliability​​ and Cisco’s end-of-life support timelines (typically 5+ years post-discontinuation) make it a pragmatic choice for maintaining legacy SANs. However, enterprises planning scalability should weigh this against future-proof 16G investments.