Ubiquiti SFP/SFP+ modules show as unknown on Catalyst 1000 and 2960 while working in 9300/3650

Question

The poster uses Ubiquiti (UBNT) SFP and SFP+ modules, both multimode and single-mode, in Cisco switches. They work perfectly in Catalyst 9300 and 3650 switches with current IOS, but in a Catalyst C1000 and a Catalyst 2960 the modules are detected on insertion yet reported as 'unknown' in 'show interface capabilities'. The poster believes the global command 'service unsupported-transceiver' has been removed from the Catalyst 1000 software, and pasting it directly into global configuration mode did not help. Chinese-made SFPs reportedly work without issue in these switches, but the poster is not allowed to use them.

Hardware: Cisco Catalyst 1000 (C1000), Cisco Catalyst 2960, Cisco Catalyst 9300, Cisco Catalyst 3650
Transceivers: Ubiquiti SFP (MM and SM), Ubiquiti SFP+ (MM and SM)
Form factor: SFP, SFP+

Symptoms / messages:

SFP reported as unknown in show interface capabilities
service unsupported-transceiver not accepted on Catalyst 1000
same modules work in Catalyst 9300 and 3650

rxadmin25 · Answer

The command may simply be hidden rather than removed - try pasting it directly into global config. Fair warning though: enabling non-Cisco transceivers doesn't guarantee they'll work, and TAC will insist on Cisco optics before helping, so keep critical links on Cisco gear.

lantech · Answer

I'm not against cheaper third-party optics as long as they work, but a support contract is wasted if TAC's first move is demanding you swap to Cisco parts.

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