HP 5500 Comware5 5.20.r.5501p36 compatibility

A recent problem situation with HP 5500 switch using Comware5 5.20.r.5501p36 has outlined a need for a special hardware solution. This stems from the fact that from HP 5500 requires a different chipset compared to stock units and encrypting modules is not enough.

Additional information about this issue as it comes up when using default chipset BIDI-1.25G-SFP-20-AD and/or BIDI-1.25G-SFP-20-BD transceivers and other 1.25G optics.

1. When 4 or less BIDI-1.25G-SFP-20-AD and/or BIDI-1.25G-SFP-20-BD transceivers are used in HP switch functionality remains stable and is without any problems or errors. System output, for example, for BIDI-1.25G-SFP-20-AD is recognized as 1000_BASE_BX_U_SFP and all additional transceiver information is present. This is visible in switch output listed below.

GigabitEthernet1/0/24 transceiver information:
Transceiver Type              : 1000_BASE_BX_U_SFP
Connector Type                : LC
Wavelength(nm)                : 1310
Transfer Distance(km)         : 20(9um)
Digital Diagnostic Monitoring : YES
Vendor Name                   : HPE
Max. TX Power(dBm)            : -3.0
Min. TX Power(dBm)            : -9.5
Min. RX Power(dBm)            : -20.0
Max. RX Power(dBm)            : -3.0
Original Manufacturer         : EDGE
Part Number                   : BIDI1.25GSFP20AD
Rev Number                    : UNKNOWN
Serial Number                 : EO11901110261
Product Date                  : 19-01-11

2) When 5 or more BIDI-1.25G-SFP-20-AD and/or BIDI-1.25G-SFP-20-BD transceivers are inserted in switch or used together with 1000M-SFP-T or 1000M-SFP-M module, regardless of port combination, switch functionality is reduced. After a short time, module shows up as UNKNOWN_SFP and no data communication is possible. As visible in the switch output listed below.

GigabitEthernet1/0/24 transceiver information:
Transceiver Type               : UNKNOWN_SFP
Connector Type                 : LC
Wavelength(nm)                 : 1823
Transfer Distance(km)          : 20(9um)
Digital Diagnostic Monitoring  : YES
Vendor Name                    : GdgG0 0 0000000
Max. TX Power(dBm)             : UNKNOWN
Min. TX Power(dBm)             : UNKNOWN
Min. RX Power(dBm)             : UNKNOWN
Max. RX Power(dBm)             : UNKNOWN
Original Manufacturer          : GdgG0 0 0000000
Part Number                    : cifm1?37g{gx38aF
Rev Number                     : UNKNOWN
Serial Number                  : go99=891983?100
Product Date                   : 1=-89-11

When transceiver units are replaced with a different chipset issue is resolved and no additional errors occurred. Transceivers in HP5500 Comware5 5.20.r.5501p36 work and function as per client’s satisfaction.

This is why it is worth to reiterate that modules ordered for HP switches and can end up being used in HP 5500 require a different chipset.