In an era where technology forms the backbone of businesses across the globe, the quality and reliability of network infrastructure components have become paramount. While the allure of cost savings can make non-genuine products appear attractive, these often come at a hidden cost: the lack of support and warranties from original manufacturers. Cisco Systems, a global leader in networking hardware and software, is one of many companies battling the issue of counterfeit goods. They’ve made it abundantly clear: non-genuine Cisco products get no warranty or support, and services may be terminated if discovered. Let’s delve deeper into what this means for businesses and why this policy is significant.
Why Non-Genuine Products?
Before examining the ramifications of using non-genuine Cisco products, it’s essential to understand why they’re prevalent in the market. Many businesses, particularly small to medium-sized ones, may find the costs of genuine, high-quality networking equipment daunting. Non-genuine products, often counterfeits, are typically priced lower, making them attractive for budget-conscious organizations. However, these products come with inherent risks, such as poor performance, security vulnerabilities, and a lack of support, which can lead to more significant costs in the long run.
No Warranty or Support for Non-Genuine Products
Like many other technology companies, Cisco provides a warranty for its genuine products. This warranty is a form of assurance to customers that the product will function as promised for a specified period. If not, Cisco will rectify the issue or replace the product without additional cost. However, this warranty only applies to genuine Cisco products. When businesses use non-genuine products, they forgo this critical safety net.
Similarly, Cisco’s customer support and technical assistance, which are crucial for troubleshooting, regular maintenance, and resolving potential issues, are not provided for non-genuine products. These services are typically sophisticated, involving direct interaction with Cisco’s experienced technicians and engineers. But counterfeit products effectively nullify this service, leaving businesses without expert assistance when they encounter issues with their network infrastructure.
Termination of Services
Perhaps even more concerning than the lack of warranty and support is the potential for service termination. If Cisco discovers a business is using non-genuine products, it may terminate the services provided to that organization. This could include disconnecting software services, revoking licenses, and blocking access to updates and patches. The company’s entire Cisco network could be rendered inoperable or significantly hampered.
Potential Legal Ramifications
Beyond these immediate concerns, using counterfeit products can also expose businesses to potential legal issues. Intellectual property laws protect companies like Cisco from the unauthorized reproduction and sale of their products. Purchasing or using counterfeit products can implicate businesses in these legal breaches, potentially resulting in fines or legal action.
The Bottom Line
The potential cost savings of non-genuine products can be quickly overshadowed by the risks and long-term financial implications of using these products. They compromise the performance and security of a business’s network and the vital lifelines of warranty and support. The risk of service termination and possible legal repercussions further compound the issue.
As such, the importance of using genuine Cisco products cannot be overstated. While the initial investment may be higher, the long-term benefits of improved performance, better security, comprehensive support, and peace of mind offered by warranties make genuine products the clear choice for any business aiming to build reliable and secure network infrastructure. With genuine Cisco products, you aren’t just purchasing equipment – you’re investing in a service, a warranty, and the technology expertise of a global leader.
Verification
The Cisco IOS command-line interface (CLI) allows network administrators to perform numerous tasks, including the verification of the authenticity of Cisco transceivers. You can get specific details about the transceiver modules installed on your device by using the show commands.
Below are the steps to verify the genuineness of a Cisco transceiver:
1. Connect to your Cisco device (router, switch, etc.) through the console, SSH, or Telnet.
2. Enter the command show interfaces transceiver details or show inventory. This command will show you the list of interfaces and the installed transceivers, including their serial numbers and part numbers.
3. Look for the part number and serial number for the transceiver in question. Genuine Cisco transceivers have a Cisco part number and serial number. If you see a non-Cisco part number or no part number at all, the transceiver might be a third-party or non-genuine product.
4. Look for the output “transceiver is compliant with the Cisco quality ID” or “internally programmed for Cisco compatibility.” These phrases indicate a genuine Cisco transceiver.
Remember, the specific command can vary based on the IOS version and the type of Cisco device you’re using. If the above command does not work, refer to the official Cisco documentation or contact Cisco support for the appropriate command.
Router#show inventory NAME: "1", DESCR: "CISCO3925-CHASSIS" PID: CISCO3925-CHASSIS , VID: V04 , SN: FGL1610S3DH NAME: "Fan Tray", DESCR: "CISCO3925-FANASSY" PID: CISCO3925-FANASSY , VID: , SN: NAME: "module 1", DESCR: "CISCO3925-UCSE/K9" PID: CISCO3925-UCSE/K9 , VID: V01, SN: FOC16090FXG NAME: "Power Supply Module 0", DESCR: "CISCO3925-PSU" PID: CISCO3925-PSU , VID: V02, SN: QCS1612P085
Router#show interfaces gigabitEthernet 0/0 transceiver details
ITU Channel not available (Wavelength not available),
Transceiver is internally calibrated.
++ : high alarm, + : high warning, - : low warning, -- : low alarm.
NA or N/A: not applicable, Tx: transmit, Rx: receive.
mA: milliamperes, dBm: decibels (milliwatts).
Optical Optical
Temperature Voltage Tx Power Rx Power
Port (Celsius) (Volts) (dBm) (dBm)
--------- ----------- ------- -------- --------
Gi0/0 29.4 3.29 -2.4 -3.2
There’s also one more command you can use show idprom interface:
Router#show idprom interface gigabitEthernet 0/0 IDPROM for gigabitEthernet0/0 (FRU is 'CISCO SYSTEMS GLC-T 1000BASE-T') #0x01 (VERSION_ID): 0x01 #0x02 (VERSION): 0x01 #0x03 (SERIAL_NUM): 'AGM12345J2U' #0x04 (PART_NUM): '10-2415-03' #0x09 (PRODUCT_ID): 'GLC-T' #0x0B (CLEI_CODE): 'CNUIAEPAAA' #0x0C (VENDOR_NAME): 'CISCO SYSTEMS' #0x0D (MODEL_NAME): 'GLC-T 1000BASE-T'
It’s also worth mentioning that while the above steps can help identify non-genuine products, they might not catch all counterfeit transceivers as some may be designed to mimic genuine ones closely. For absolute assurance, it’s always recommended to purchase Cisco products through authorized Cisco partners or resellers.