Outfitting servers with all new SFP modules can end up costing a company a couple thousand dollars, but the investment is well needed because of the reliability and efficient communication method these items provide. Most tend to call up a reseller, order the devices and plug them into the servers to interface the motherboards to the communication channels. Instead of calling a dealer, do your homework and learn about alternative ways to save some money, such as purchasing a refurbished item or skipping the OEM item for a compatible alternative.
Compatible Alternative
Owners usually want to buy a replacement SFP or a new one from a brand name OEM website, which is fine, but the cost of the product tends to be a bit bigger, while a substitute can cost 50-100 dollars less. The alternative SFP transceivers help save a ton of money, and since they do everything the OEM can, why wouldn’t you want to buy these items?
It’s better for you to order from a cheaper manufacturer that produces the same item than continue to shell out 50, 60, even 100 dollars extra for an SFP that operates the same.
Buy Used
When people hear the word “used,” some tend to think as if they’re getting a lesser quality item because it had a past owner, but don’t buy into this common misconception. For instance, you might order a Cisco compatible GLC-T module at a used price, but the Cisco brand is regarded for its reliability and features that will not break down after a couple months of use. With vendors offering extended warranties on these devices as well as discounted rates up to 50% off the normal cost, it seems hard for anyone to want to turn down the bargain that is offered here.
Buy a Warranty
Okay, so the topic of the article is to help clients determine ways to save money on products, but a warranty is an investment that later down the road will pay off huge dividends to the investor. Okay, so say you wind up with the newest Cisco compatible SFP modules for your systems, but some of them malfunction after a year because of a damaged lens.
Not only is the lens not functioning, but the manufacturer’s warranty has finished, so now to replace the product you have to spend an extra 300-400 dollars. The extra warranty you would have spent on would have covered 3 or 4 years and saved you the trouble of having to purchase all new equipment. A warranty is a “just in case”, but it’s better to have one with you than to have to shell out an extra three to four hundred dollars on replacements.