Is It True? : Compatible Transceivers Are Better Than OEM Modules.
There was a lot of confusion in the market when compatible transceivers first entered the market. Most of the concerns were because people weren’t sure about the compatibility or the interoperability when compared to OEM parts. But the market became more favorable to compatible transceivers because of reliable vendors who were able to offer exceptional products and services.
People are still confused by the choice between OEMs and compatibles. We at Alperio share our insights and answers to the most asked questions about this topic.
Where Do Compatibles And OEMS Source Their Transceivers From?
Something interesting to note is that OEMs and Compatibles vendors bought their transceivers from the same supplier.
The only difference is that OEMs get their suppliers to brand their delivered components. The harsh truth is that optics manufacturers do not go out of their way to focus on quality as far as OEMs are concerned. They follow popular standards like EU directive, MSA (Multi-Source Agreement), and IEEE.
These standards are what Original Design Manufacturers (ODMs) have in place when it comes to their components. This naturally leads to the question – why OEM parts cost higher than Compatibles if both parties are buying from the same suppliers who follow the same standards?
Why are OEM modules more expensive in the market?
As a rule of thumb, most branded switch companies do not involve themselves with the manufacture of cables or optics. They depend on suppliers for their transceiver modules, who also white-label them. If we were to take an example, a product which has an MSRP of about $10 can cost a customer as much as $85 from their OEM. Without the branding, it costs significantly less.
Looking at this from a user’s perspective, spending $75 for no tangible improvements and only a logo on the module seems unreasonable. Which is why OEM constantly bring up compatibility as a reason for increased prices with their customers.
Compatibility Tests And OEMs
Often, OEMs bring up the compatibility issue after they’ve added enhancements on standardized modules. These vary from changing the link establishment sequence, verifying legitimate parts through encryption, and allow-listing parts on the Network Operating Systems (NOS).
These measures mean OEM switches only work with modules that are explicitly encoded with the OEM’s code.
However, these factors cannot restrict buyers to OEM or make them a better choice than compatibles. Third-party manufacturers have been producing coded transceivers for years now. They even test each module with specific OEM switches and their updates (IOS, JunOS), ensuring compatibility for their customers even to their latest versions.
Are Transceivers Compatible With Different OEM Switches?
Compatibles manufacturers have been able to multi-code their components which means they can work with several different OEM equipment specifications. An advantage here that is often overlooked is that customers can optimize their inventory space more effectively because fewer unique components need to be stored.
Can OEMs Refuse Service On My Equipment If I Use Compatible Transceivers?
Probably one of the most asked queries in this niche, and the answer is – no, they cannot deny you service or warranty claims if you use third-party compatible components that are standardized.
A vital premise to this issue is that transceivers have no traffic control or protocol features built into them. Also, if you check OEM websites, nowhere have they stated that using third-party components will affect your eligibility to warranty or service.
Do Compatible Manufactures Support EoS Switch Equipment?
Several systems are currently running on legacy hardware, making it difficult to find replacement components for them. The right compatible vendors can still provide support through OEM-compatible legacy components. In fact, procurement from third-party vendors can improve margins and also reduce e-waste generation, which is quickly becoming a problem that needs a solution.
This is where environmentally aware vendors like Aliter Networks are a great choice for your business. Aliter Networks is a reputed global brand who are known for their high-quality deliverables while also making sure that your business is aligned with sustainability metrics.
Can Third-party Vendors Provide Better Performance For Legacy Modules?
An advantage of buying legacy transceiver modules from third parties is that you get improved performance overall. The reason is that the manufacturer will update the product over a more extended period compared to OEM. This is something that OEM will not be able to fulfill.
The reason is that they have a fixed lifecycle for their products and will move on with newer components.
In Closing
As you can see, there are several reasons why switching to third-party compatible transceivers are better than OEM modules. They offer a much better experience when it comes to flexibility and performance. Their market share has been consistently improving because of quality components and better price options.
Alperio offers top-shelf transceiver components that are compatible with several different OEM brands. We are a trusted brand, providing critical network options for consumers and are an integral part of the network component ecosystem.
As a brand, we are committed to delivering exceptional components and services for our customers.