StarTech MASFP1GBTXST Cisco Meraki-Compatible 1000BASE-T Copper SFP Module

Overview

The StarTech MASFP1GBTXST is a 1000BASE-T copper SFP transceiver designed as a drop-in compatible replacement for the Cisco Meraki MA-SFP-1GB-TX. Where most SFP slots default to fiber, this module adds a standard RJ45 copper port, letting you extend a Gigabit Ethernet run up to 100 meters over Cat5e or Cat6 cabling without touching your switch chassis or adding an external media converter. If your Meraki deployment has an SFP port going unused because the rest of your infrastructure is copper, this is the module that closes that gap.

Designed around the IEEE 802.3ab (1000BASE-T) standard and backward-compatible with 10/100/1000 Mbps auto-negotiation, the MASFP1GBTXST fits into existing structured cabling plants without reconfiguration. It draws under 1.3W and operates on 3.3V DC — both meaningful in dense switch deployments where per-port power budgets matter.

Key Features

• 1000BASE-T over copper at 100m: Full 1 Gbps throughput across standard Cat5e or Cat6 runs up to 100 meters — enough to reach most wiring closet-to-edge distances in commercial buildings without pulling fiber.
• RJ45 connector, no fiber infrastructure required: Plugs into an SFP port and terminates on a standard RJ45 jack, so you reuse existing copper plant rather than installing patch panels, fiber runs, or media converters.
• Sub-1.3W power draw at 3.3V DC: Minimal impact on switch power budgets. In a densely populated chassis with dozens of SFP ports active, individual module draw compounds quickly — staying under 1.3W per port helps avoid thermal and power headroom problems.
• Full-duplex operation: Simultaneous transmit and receive at full line rate — no half-duplex collisions, no throughput halving on saturated segments. Required in any switched infrastructure running modern applications.
• IEEE 802.3i / 802.3u / 802.3ab compliant: Meets the same standards the OEM module references, which is the baseline requirement for clean autonegotiation handshakes with Cisco Meraki switches without manual speed/duplex overrides.
• Operating temperature 0°C to 70°C: Covers standard commercial IT closet and data center environments. Not rated for outdoor or industrial enclosures — plan accordingly if the target switch is in an unconditioned space.
• MTBF of 4,655,371 hours: That works out to over 531 years of theoretical mean time between failures — a number that reflects conservative derating under normal operating conditions, not a product life guarantee, but useful when comparing transceiver reliability across vendors for long-lifecycle deployments.
• 5% to 95% RH (non-condensing) humidity tolerance: Handles typical HVAC-managed equipment room humidity swings without derating.

Integration & Compatibility

The MASFP1GBTXST is coded to identify as the Cisco Meraki MA-SFP-1GB-TX, which means Meraki switches that enforce SFP vendor coding will accept it without generating unsupported transceiver warnings or disabling the port. This is a real operational concern on Meraki hardware — uncoded or miscoded modules can be blocked at the firmware level regardless of electrical compatibility.

The module supports 10/100/1000 Mbps autonegotiation per IEEE 802.3 standards, so it will negotiate down to Fast Ethernet or 10BASE-T speeds if the link partner requires it. Storage temperature range is -40°C to 85°C, so the module can be warehoused in uncontrolled environments before installation without impacting long-term reliability.

For integrators building out network switch infrastructure with Meraki MS-series hardware, this module pairs directly with SFP uplink slots and eliminates the need for separate copper-to-fiber conversion in locations where structured cabling is already in place. It is also worth reviewing a PoE switch selection guide if you are planning copper SFP use in combination with powered device runs — the per-port power budget math changes when SFP modules and PoE ports are mixed on the same chassis. Explore the full StarTech networking accessories line for patch cables, cable management, and SFP alternatives. Buyers deploying Meraki in surveillance-heavy environments should also cross-reference IP camera uplink requirements, since camera-to-switch copper runs often land exactly in the 80–100m range where this module's distance rating matters most.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will the MASFP1GBTXST work in a Cisco Meraki switch without triggering an unsupported transceiver error?

A: Yes. The MASFP1GBTXST is coded to match the Cisco Meraki MA-SFP-1GB-TX, so Meraki switches that check SFP vendor coding will recognize it as a supported module and allow the port to come up normally.

Q: What cable type and maximum run length does this SFP support?

A: The module supports up to 100 meters over standard Cat5e or Cat6 copper cabling, in line with the IEEE 802.3ab 1000BASE-T specification.

Q: What is the power draw of the MASFP1GBTXST, and does it need a separate power source?

A: Power consumption is under 1.3W at 3.3V DC, drawn directly from the host switch's SFP cage. No external power supply or injector is required.

Q: Can this module operate at speeds below 1 Gbps for legacy device compatibility?

A: Yes. It autonegotiates across 10/100/1000 Mbps, so it will connect at Fast Ethernet or 10BASE-T speeds when linked to older equipment that does not support Gigabit.

Q: What temperature range is the MASFP1GBTXST rated for during operation?

A: Operating temperature is 0°C to 70°C (32°F to 158°F), covering standard commercial IT equipment room and data center environments. Storage temperature extends to -40°C to 85°C.

Q: What industry standards does the MASFP1GBTXST conform to?

A: The module complies with IEEE 802.3i (10BASE-T), IEEE 802.3u (100BASE-TX), and IEEE 802.3ab (1000BASE-T), covering the full copper Ethernet speed family supported by modern Meraki switches.

Eden Phillips

The detail I keep coming back to on the MASFP1GBTXST is that MTBF figure — 4,655,371 hours is well above what you see quoted on generic unbranded copper SFPs, and in a Meraki deployment where the whole point is reduced hands-on management, transceiver reliability is not a place to cut corners. This module draws under 1.3W at 3.3V DC, which is about as light as copper SFPs get, and it comes pre-coded for Meraki so you are not troubleshooting port disable events on day one.

Technical Highlights:

• Meraki vendor coding: Matches the MA-SFP-1GB-TX signature, preventing the firmware-level port lockout that uncoded third-party modules trigger on Meraki MS-series switches.
• Sub-1.3W power consumption: In a 48-port chassis where every SFP slot is occupied, aggregate module draw adds up fast — keeping each port under 1.3W protects thermal headroom and avoids power supply surprises during rack commissioning.
• 100m copper reach: Covers the overwhelming majority of in-building horizontal runs under IEEE 802.3ab, meaning you can land a Gigabit connection at the edge without running fiber or adding a media converter appliance in the IDF.

Deployment Considerations:

• The 0°C to 70°C operating range covers conditioned IT spaces cleanly, but if the target Meraki switch lives in a rooftop enclosure or unconditioned warehouse, verify ambient temperatures before installing — this module is not rated for extended operation above 70°C.
• The RJ45 jack on a copper SFP adds physical depth to the rear of the cage compared to an LC fiber module; confirm rack depth and cable management clearance in tight 1U or blade-style Meraki chassis before ordering in quantity.

This module is the right call for Meraki MS-series deployments in commercial buildings where structured Cat6 is already in the ceiling and the alternative is pulling fiber to a wiring closet IDF just to light up an uplink SFP — a cost and schedule hit that the MASFP1GBTXST eliminates cleanly.