Recommended SFP+ to RJ45 Adapter Module for Switch Juniper Cisco Ubiquiti TP-Link etc...

I am mainly used to the enterprise where most connections are deployed by some "normal" kind of fiber eg SFP+, QSFP+, SFP28, QSFP28 and those modules are almost fool proof, run cool and are reliable. Like most normal admin users, I like to use my own hardware for routing and switching rather than the often poor equipment provided by the ISP, especially when you have enterprise hardware that will be more reliable.

The normal path is that you would just take the fiber optic link on an SFP or SFP+ and plug it in directly into your firewall, router or switch, cutting out the extra power usage, insecure ISP devices and another point of failure.

But enter the situation with a lot of home and office connections and anything on ISPs like Telus, AT&T, most ISPs in Japan etc... that are faster than 1.5G, they no longer use the standard GPON which just registers via the serial# of the module that the ISP has on file.

Now you need a device called the NAH (Network Access Hub) which uses XGSPON which is authenticated via this extra and unnecessary device/NAH. Plugging in an XGSPON SFP+ module to your router/switch will not work like a normal GPON.

Solution 1 - buy an expensive XGSPON module and hack and modify it

After more testing, I almost think that #1 in some cases here may be more reliable, yes there is the chance of authentication parameters changing which would instantly take you offline. However, many of the SFP+ to RJ45 adapters are known to be unreliable and randomly die. In theory if your XGSPON module doesn't die, then I will predict it will probably be more reliable than the #2 adapter method.

There are some solutions which modify XGSPON modules from fs.com so you can use it as normal, but they are pricey and this can be risky if the authentication mode/details changes in the future. In plain English, you could be away from home and need access to your home network but an ISP Update could render your internet access useless. Here is the procedure on Github to hack the XGSPON SFP+ module from fs.com.

Solution 2 - Use the NAH and use an SFP+ to RJ45 module

As much as I hate the NAH, this is the most reliable way for the reasons mentioned in #1. With a caveat being that I don't trust these adapters, they can die. For example one of mine died after 3 days. They do say the 80M are more reliable.

Recommended 80M SFP+ to RJ45

The 30Ms almost always use the Marvell AQR113C as mentioned below which is a chip that is proven to overheat and not last (eg. mine died after just 3 days!).

The 80M or 100M units use the BCM84891L Broadcom chip which is considered more reliable and in my experience (working well with intense use for 7 days so far).

My 80M unit has been going strong for over a week and temps vary between 42-48C which appears to be based on usage, whereas the 30M units seem to stay at almost a static temperature.

I don't recommend the 30M SFP+ modules anymore below.

One module I recently tested has an ID of "SFP+-10G-SR" and runs at a reasonable 51C which is much better than what many users report with other modules (eg. burning hot 80-90C). I cannot be certain if the unit runs cool because of the design it claims to use which minimizes heat, or if it is because my enterprise switch has active cooling.

It seems almost all 30M SFP+ modules use the Marvell AQR113C chip which no matter the brand is often not reliable.

The 80M or 100M SFP+ modules usually use Broadcom BCM84891L which is known to be a cooler running chip. It does cost more but if they last longer then it is worth it.

After testing with heavy use for 3-4 days the temperature stayed the same but the module dies/drops out which causes downtime/packetloss:

Jan 25 13:04:08   chassism[1243]: link 3 SFP receive power low warning cleared
Jan 25 13:07:31   mib2d[1262]: SNMP_TRAP_LINK_DOWN: ifIndex 561, ifAdminStatus up(1), ifOperStatus down(2), ifName xe-0/1/3
Jan 25 13:07:33   chassism[1243]: link 3 SFP receive power low alarm set
Jan 25 13:07:33   chassism[1243]: link 3 SFP receive power low warning set
Jan 25 13:07:43   chassism[1243]: link 3 SFP receive power low alarm cleared
Jan 25 13:07:43   chassism[1243]: link 3 SFP receive power low warning cleared

Here is the affiliate link to the bad/dying after 3 days SFP+ to RJ45 item I bought.