StarTech MASFP1GBSXST Cisco Meraki Compatible 1000BASE-SX SFP Module

Overview

The StarTech MASFP1GBSXST is a Cisco Meraki MA-SFP-1GB-SX compatible 1 Gbps multimode fiber SFP transceiver designed to slot directly into Meraki switches and appliances that call for a 1GbE SX uplink — without paying OEM pricing for the port. It runs 1000BASE-SX over 850nm multimode fiber at full-duplex, reaches up to 550 meters, and draws under 1 watt from the host chassis. For integrators building out network switching infrastructure behind surveillance or access control deployments, this module fills uplink and inter-switch fiber runs without adding heat load or complexity to the rack.

If you're sourcing fiber uplinks for a Meraki-based network, browsing the StarTech networking line alongside this module is worth a few minutes — they cover DAC cables, media converters, and fiber patch solutions that pair naturally here.

Key Features

• 550m Multimode Reach at 1.25 Gbps: The 850nm LC duplex connection supports runs up to 550 meters over OM2 or better multimode fiber — enough to span most multi-floor commercial buildings or cross-campus IDF-to-MDF links without switching to single-mode. The 1.25 Gbps line rate delivers the full 1GbE payload with overhead headroom.
• Full-Duplex Operation: Simultaneous transmit and receive at 1 Gbps — no half-duplex negotiation artifacts, no collision domain concerns. This matters on camera uplinks carrying constant H.265 streams where any bandwidth asymmetry shows up as dropped frames in the VMS.
• Sub-1W Power Consumption: Drawing under 1 watt from the host SFP cage, this module adds negligible load to your switch's power budget. On a fully-loaded 24- or 48-port Meraki switch, the difference between passive SFP cages and populated ones with modules that sip power is real — especially in PoE-heavy PoE switch deployments where chassis power budgets are already under pressure.
• 3,381,761-Hour MTBF: That figure — just under 386 years — reflects the reliability engineering behind the module. For a fiber uplink that lives in a locked IDF closet and is never touched after commissioning, high MTBF matters more than it gets credit for. A failed uplink SFP at 2 a.m. takes down every downstream device on that link.
• LC Duplex Connector: The LC duplex interface is the standard for 1GbE SX deployments — compatible with the patch panels, couplers, and pre-terminated trunks already installed in most commercial facilities built in the last 15 years. No adapter sleeves, no hybrid cords needed in a standard install.
• Operating Temperature 0°C to 70°C: Covers the full range of conditioned IDF and MDF closet environments. If you're running fiber to an unconditioned outdoor enclosure or a rooftop comms cabinet, verify ambient temps stay within range — this is a commercial-temp module, not an industrial extended-range unit.
• IEEE 802.3z 1000BASE-SX Compliance: Conformance to 802.3z means predictable interoperability behavior with any standards-compliant switch on the other end of the fiber run — not just Meraki. That's useful when the fiber spans a boundary between the Meraki edge and a third-party core or aggregation layer.
• Compact Form Factor (56.6mm × 14mm × 12mm, 14g): Standard SFP footprint slots into any compliant cage without mechanical fitment concerns. At 14 grams, it won't stress the cage latch on vertical or inverted switch orientations.

Integration and Compatibility

The MASFP1GBSXST is specifically coded and tested for compatibility with Cisco Meraki MA-SFP-1GB-SX port assignments. Meraki switches perform a compatibility check against their approved transceiver list at boot — using a non-validated module can trigger warnings or port disablement in the Meraki dashboard. This module is designed to pass that check.

On the fiber side, pair with 50/125µm (OM2) or 62.5/125µm (OM1) multimode fiber for distances up to 550m and 275m respectively — standard OM3/OM4 works fine and gives you headroom. Connect to the peer switch or media converter using standard LC duplex patch cords. For fiber media converter applications bridging copper edge devices to a fiber backbone, this SFP installs on the SFP-capable converter's uplink port.

The module also conforms to IEEE 802.3z, making it usable in any standards-compliant 1GbE SX SFP cage — handy when the Meraki environment expands to include third-party aggregation switches or when a switch is replaced and the module needs to migrate.

For environments running video surveillance backbones, pairing fiber uplinks like this with a structured NVR and storage architecture ensures the uplink bandwidth matches your camera channel count and recording retention requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will the MASFP1GBSXST trigger a compatibility warning in the Cisco Meraki dashboard?

A: The MASFP1GBSXST is designed as a Cisco Meraki MA-SFP-1GB-SX compatible module, engineered to pass Meraki's transceiver validation. Always verify against your specific Meraki switch model and firmware version before deploying in a production environment.

Q: What fiber type and maximum distance does the MASFP1GBSXST support?

A: It runs 1000BASE-SX over 850nm multimode fiber. Maximum rated distance is 550 meters over OM2 (50/125µm) fiber. OM3 and OM4 multimode also work and provide distance headroom. Single-mode fiber is not compatible with this module.

Q: What connector type does the MASFP1GBSXST use?

A: The module uses a single LC Duplex fiber optic connector — the standard for 1GbE SX applications. Standard LC duplex patch cords connect it to the fiber plant or patch panel.

Q: How much power does the MASFP1GBSXST draw from the switch?

A: Power consumption is under 1 watt, making it one of the lowest-impact SFP modules for the host chassis power budget — an important consideration in fully-loaded PoE switches where chassis wattage is constrained.

Q: What is the operating temperature range for the MASFP1GBSXST?

A: The operating temperature range is 0°C to 70°C (32°F to 158°F), suitable for conditioned IDF and MDF closet environments. Storage temperature range is wider: -40°C to 85°C. It is not rated for unconditioned outdoor or extreme-cold environments.

Q: Can the MASFP1GBSXST be used in non-Meraki switches?

A: Yes. Because it conforms to IEEE 802.3z 1000BASE-SX, it will operate in any standards-compliant 1GbE SX SFP cage. The specific encoding targets Cisco Meraki, but the optical and electrical specifications are standard.

Jerry Tildsen

The spec I always check first on third-party SFP modules is MTBF — and the MASFP1GBSXST comes in at 3,381,761 hours. That's not a marketing number; it reflects the component selection and manufacturing process behind the module. Fiber uplink SFPs are set-and-forget devices; you want the reliability to match that use pattern.

Technical Highlights:

• 550m Multimode Reach: 850nm over OM2 fiber covers nearly every inter-building and floor-to-floor fiber run you'll encounter in commercial surveillance or enterprise network installs — without stepping up to single-mode optics and the cost that comes with it.
• Sub-1W Power Draw: In a 48-port Meraki PoE switch with a constrained chassis budget, every watt matters. Under 1W per SFP uplink port means you're not trading camera PoE budget for fiber uplink capability.
• Full IEEE 802.3z Compliance: Standards conformance means this module isn't locked to Meraki infrastructure. If the network architecture changes and a third-party aggregation switch enters the picture, the module moves with you.

Deployment Considerations:

• Meraki switches validate SFP modules at boot via firmware-level checks. The MASFP1GBSXST is coded for Meraki compatibility, but always confirm against the specific Meraki switch SKU and current firmware version in your deployment before purchasing in volume.
• Operating temperature tops out at 70°C — fine for climate-controlled IDFs, but a hard stop for unconditioned outdoor enclosures or rooftop comms cabinets in hot climates. Verify closet ambient temps if there's any doubt.

This module is a practical fit for Meraki-based physical security or enterprise network deployments where fiber uplink ports need to be populated without OEM transceiver pricing — particularly in multi-IDF builds where the fiber plant is already OM2 or better and runs stay under 550 meters.