Troubleshoot Unsupported Transceiver in Catalyst 3850 Switch Sub-module

Introduction

This document describes common problems with gigabit interface converter (GBIC) or small form-factor pluggable (SFP) optical transceiver modules.

Problem

When you insert specific GBICs on a Catalyst 3850 switch, you possibly receive these error logs:

%PLATFORM_PM-6-MODULE_ERRDISABLE: The inserted SFP module with interface name Gix/y/z is not supported
%PM-4-ERR_DISABLE: gbic-invalid error detected on Gix/y/z, putting Gix/y/z in err-disable state

The issue has commonly been seen with GLC-SX-MMD and third-party SFPs.

Solution

Keep in mind these points before you consider this to be a hardware issue with the SFP, sub-module (C3850-NM), or Catalyst 3850 backplane.

• Verify compatibility between the SFP and the switch, sub-module, and software version. Refer to the Cisco Optics Interoperability Matrix User Manual for more information.
• Some SFPs need configuration and actions in order to be able to work in a Catalyst 3850 switch (mostly when they are manufactured by a third-party vendor). Enter these commands:

  3850(config)# no errdisable detect cause gbic-invalid 
  3850(config)# service unsupported-transceiver 

  Remove the SFP module, shut down/do not shut down the port, and reinsert the SFP module.

• Take into consideration these software defects:
  • Cisco bug ID CSCut94443 - GLC-SX-MMD is not recognized after OIR
  • Cisco bug ID CSCuj31712 - certain Vendor Sfp force ports to err-disable upon OIR

  It is recommended to go to a stable version of code whether you encounter those bugs or not. The recommended version on cisco.com has helped to fix this type of incident. See these documents for more information:

  • Catalyst 3850 Series Switch Upgrade, Management, and Recovery Techniques
  • Cisco Catalyst 3850 Series Switches