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Free Vendor & Compatibility Exchange

Buy the optic once. Use it on whatever switch you own in five years.

The Free Vendor & Compatibility Exchange Program is our promise that the SFP you put on the shelf today won't become e-waste when your network architecture changes. Re-code it for a new switch vendor, swap it to a different fiber reach, or trade it for a different connector, at no cost.

Vendor exchange

Move an existing module's coding from one switch OEM to another.

Eligible vendors

Cisco (IOS, IOS-XE, NX-OS, Catalyst, Nexus, Meraki) · Juniper (Junos, EX, QFX, MX, SRX) · Arista (EOS) · Dell (SmartFabric, S/Z) · HPE Aruba · NVIDIA/Mellanox (Cumulus, Onyx) · Extreme · Brocade · Huawei · Fortinet · MikroTik · UniFi · and 15+ more.

Compatibility exchange

Swap one optic for another at the same speed but different reach, fiber type, or connector.

  • • 10GBASE-SR (multi-mode, 300m) ↔ 10GBASE-LR (single-mode, 10km)
  • • 10GBASE-LR ↔ 10GBASE-ER (40km) or 10GBASE-ZR (80km)
  • • 1000BASE-T (RJ45) ↔ 1000BASE-SX (fiber)
  • • 100GBASE-SR4 ↔ 100GBASE-LR4
  • • LC duplex ↔ MPO/MTP where MSA allows

How it works

1

Open a ticket

Email exchanges@netapi.io with your order number, the SKUs you're returning, and the SKU or coding you want in return. You'll get an RMA number and prepaid shipping label within one business hour.

2

Ship it back

Pack the modules in any reasonable packaging, anti-static bag inside a padded envelope is fine. Affix the prepaid label. We pay the shipping.

3

We process

For re-coding: we update the EEPROM and run our standard validation suite. For compatibility swaps: we pull the new SKU from stock.

4

We ship it back

Standard ground in the U.S., free. Expedited available at cost. Most exchanges are back on your dock within 5 business days.

Eligibility

Who qualifies

Any customer who purchased directly from NetAPI or from an authorized reseller, within the past 18 months from the original ship date.

Limits

  • • One compatibility exchange per module within 18 months
  • • Vendor re-coding is unlimited
  • • Modules must be in working condition (failed units are warranty cases, not exchanges)

What it costs you

Nothing. Not for the program, not for the shipping, not for the new module. The economics work because:

  1. 1. Most re-coded modules are redeployed to other customers, so the unit cost is amortized.
  2. 2. Customers who know they can re-code in year three buy more modules in year one.
  3. 3. We'd rather earn the next 10 years of your network refreshes than nickel-and-dime the return shipping on a $40 module.

Ready to start an exchange?

Email exchanges@netapi.io or contact your account engineer. You'll have an RMA number and a prepaid shipping label within one business hour.

Contact us