Blog, Networking Device, Optical Transceiver
OPTCORE 10G SFP+ & Patch Cable For Fortinet FortiSwitch FS-424E and FS-448E Switches
Feb
The Fortinet FortiSwitch FS-424E and FS-448E Series Switches were launched by the renowned cybersecurity provider Fortinet. In this post, we’ll go over their features and shortcomings. In addition, 10G SFP+ and patch cable compatible with these switches are listed at the end. You can also find high-quality Fortinet-compatible products from OPTCORE.
Overview of the Fortinet FS-424E and FS-448E Series
The FS-424E and FS-448E models are part of the FortiSwitch Campus Series, designed for enterprise networks, branch offices, and large-scale deployments. They are an essential element of Fortinet Security Fabric, a cybersecurity platform. These switches are ideal for organizations requiring high-speed, secure connectivity without complex configurations.
Key Features of FortiSwitch FS-424E and FS-448E
Fortigate management via Fortilink
Fortigate is a next-generation firewall (NGFW) solution from Fortinet that offers more robust features than traditional firewalls. FortiSwitch can become part of the FortiGate network security system through the proprietary protocol FortiLink. As a result, the following features are available.
- Centralized Management
The FortiGate is the network’s control center. Once the FortiSwitch is connected to it, the FortiGate can control and manage it in a unified and centralized manner through the fFortiLink.
- SD-Branch deployment
The FortiSwitch integrated into FortiGate supports SD-Branch deployment. FortiGate-based SD-Branch deployment consists of FortiGate’s own SD-WAN, FortiSwitch, FortiAP, and FortiExtender.
- Zero-touch deployment
After FortiSwitch is connected to the network, it automatically sends the default configuration packets to FortiGate, which then passes its authentication. This simplifies the process of deploying network devices without requiring manual configuration.
- Enhanced Security
By connecting to FortiGate, FortiSwitch extends the following security features: Intrusion Prevention System (IPS), network access control (NAC), zero-trust network access (ZTNA), Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), and more. As a result, FortiSwitch provides high-performance connectivity with strong network security protection.
10G SFP+ Uplinks and 24/48 GE RJ45 ports
The FortiSwitch FS-424E series has 24 RJ45 ports for end-device connectivity and four 10G SFP+ fiber uplink ports for high-bandwidth connections. The FortiSwitch S-448E series has 48 RJ45 portsand 10 SFP+ ports.
Layer 2/3
Both FortiSwitch FS-424E and FS-448E series switches support Layer 3 features. They offer FortiLinkexibility to configure a network with the efficient data forwarding and routing capabilities of a Layer 2 switch.
PoE Options
The FS-424E and FS-448E series both offer PoE versions; the FS-424E PoE versions are FS-424E-PoE and FS-424E-FPoE, which provide up to 250w and 421w of power, respectively. The FS-448E PoE versions are FS-448E-PoE and FS-448E-FPoE, which provide up to 421w and 772w of supply power, respectively.
Shortcomings of FortiSwitch FS-424E and FS-448E
Dependant on FortiGate for full-function
While the FortiSwitch supports standalone deployment, many advanced functions must integrate into the FortiGate. Therefore, using the FortiSwitch alone is inappropriate if you have not deployed FortiGate. In this situation, you must use FortiSwitch the old-fashioned way: IP and web GUI.
Difficult to coordinate with other brands
Also, because FortiSwitch is part of the Fortinet ecosystem and depends on FortiGate, it will be inconvenient if the enterprise uses FortiSwitch standalone mixed with other brands.
Does not support advanced PoE
FortiSwitch FS-424E and FS-448E Series support up to IEEE 802.3at PoE+ (up to 30W per port) and do not support higher IEEE 802.3bt Class 6 (up to 60W per port).
Not Stackable
The FortiSwitch FS-424E and FS-448E Series support MCLAG but do not support traditional stacking technology. However, they can implement virtual stacking via FortiGate. So, they may not meet your needs if you wish to simplify management by stacking.
Are FS-424E and FS-448E Series Worth Buying?
It depends on your network needs and existing network configuration. Users prefer FS-424E and FS-448E Series for their strong security features and easy management. For those already using or planning to use FortiGate, FS-424E and FS-448E Series are excellent choices. And you can choose the correct PoE version according to your power supply needs.
The standard version FS-424E is compared to Cisco C9200L-24T-4X-E and HPE Aruba JL253A with similar configurations, as shown in the table below.
| Model | Cisco C9200L-24T-4X-E | Fortinet FS-424E | HPE Aruba JL253A |
| Ports | 24 GE RJ45 | 24 GE RJ45 | 24 GE RJ45 |
| Uplinks | 4 x 10G SFP+ | 4 x 10G SFP+ | 4 x 10G SFP+ |
| Management | Cisco DNA Center, Web UI, CLI | FortiGate, Web UI, CLI | Aruba AirWave, Web UI, CLI |
| Switching Capacity | 160 Gbps | 128 Gbps | 128 Gbps |
| Throughput | 190.4 Mpps | 190 Mpps | 95.2 Mpps |
| Memory | 2G DDR4 | 1G DDR4 | 1G DDR3 |
| Layer Surpport | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Stackable | Yes | No | No |
| Price | ~$1900 | ~$1200 | ~$1300 |
These three switches have the same port configurations. Still, Cisco is better at switching capacity, memory, and throughput, and it provides support for physical stacking through Cisco StackWise. The Fortinet configuration is more balanced. HPE lags behind the other two in throughput and memory and only supports virtual stacking like Fortinet.
The Cisco C9200L-24T-4X-E is the most expensive, thanks to its high configuration and Cisco’s good brand reputation and technical support. The Fortinet FS-424E is the most affordable, with a well-balanced configuration, robust security features, and better performance than the HPE. Their 48-port version also offers these features.
Consequently, the FS-424E and FS-448E series are ideal and affordable for users looking for a secure, high-performance network or deploying FortiGate.
OPTCORE SFP+ and Patch Cable for Fortinet FS-424E and FS-448E
Choosing the right accessories for your switch is critical to its performance. The Fortinet FS-424E and FS-448E Series have 24/48 RJ45 ports and 4 10G SFP+ uplink ports. You can purchase Fortinet’s SFP+ modules from an official or pick up a compatible product from OPTCORE; we offer quality-assured and more affordable compatible products. The table below lists the SFP+ modules and patch cables we offer.
| Part Number | Description |
| 10G SFP+ Module | |
| FG-TRAN-SFP+SR | Fortinet FN-TRAN-SFP+SR Compatible 10GBASE-SR SFP+ 850nm 300m Transceiver |
| FN-TRAN-SFP+ZR | Fortinet FG-TRAN-SFP+ZR Compatible 10GBASE-ZR SFP+ 1550nm 80km Transceiver |
| FG-TRAN-SFP+ER | Fortinet FG-TRAN-SFP+ER Compatible 10GBASE-ER SFP+ 1550nm 40km Transceiver |
| FG-TRAN-SFP+LR | Fortinet FN-TRAN-SFP+LR Compatible 10GBASE-LR SFP+ Transceiver |
| FN-TRAN-SFP+BD27 | Fortinet FN-TRAN-SFP+BD27 Compatible 10G SFP+ BiDi 1270nm-TX/1330nm-RX 10km Transceiver |
| FN-TRAN-SFP+BD33 | Fortinet FN-TRAN-SFP+BD33 Compatible 10G BiDi SFP+ 1270nm-TX/1330nm-RX 10km Transceiver |
| 10G SFP+ DAC Cable | |
| SP-CABLE-ADASFP+ | Fortinet SP-CABLE-ADASFP+ Compatible 10m (33ft) 10G SFP+ Active DAC Cable |
| 10G SFP+ AOC Cable | |
| SP-AOC-FS-SFP | Fortinet SP-AOC-FS-SFP Compatible 10G SFP+ Active Optical Cable (AOC) |
| Fiber Patch Cable | |
| LC-LC-OM2-DxM | LC/LC Duplex 50/125μm OM2 Multimode Fiber Optic Cable (1m-50m or Custom Length) |
| LC-LC-OM3-DxM | LC/LC Duplex 50/125μm 10G OM3 Multimode Fiber Optic Cable (1m-50m or Custom Length) |
| LC-LC-OM4-DxM | LC/LC Duplex 50/125μm 40G OM4 Multimode Fiber Optic Cable (1m-50m or Custom Length) |
| LC-LC-SM-DxM | LC/LC Duplex 9/125μm OS2 Singlemode Fiber Optic Cable (1m-50m or Custom Length) |
| MC-LC-LC-OM2-DxM | LC/LC Duplex 50/125μm Mode Conditioning Fiber Optic Cable (MCP, 1m-50m or Custom Length) |
If you need Ethernet cables for RJ45 ports, please click here.
Why Choose OPTCORE?
- 100% FortiSwitch compatible, plug and play
- Cost-effective, save more than 50%
- Flexible options, more specifications
- Reliable quality and stable performance
- Off-the-shelf, fast delivery
- 5-Year Warranty & 30-Day Easy Return
FAQs
Q1: How do I know the compatible transceiver model？
Answer: You can visit the Fortinet official documentation for information about the models. The models we give are in accordance with the official documentation so that you can choose confidently.
Conclusion
Fortinet FS-424E and FS-448E Series are excellent security switches. However, it is not cheap to get them to perform well. Fortinet OEM is expensive, and many users opt for third-party compatible SFP.
OPTCORE compatible modules and cables provide a cost-effective, reliable solution for the FortiSwitch FS-424E and FS-448E series switches. By choosing OPTCORE, you’ll get a plug-and-play experience without worrying about compatibility and quality issues.
Contact us for the best solution!
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