Reply got complicated enough you made me move to a Real Computer(tm).
I'm putting together a list of what I need to establish a 10 Gbps fiber connection from a SFP+ port on my switch to my primary workstation located 40 feet away. My FreeNAS server is already connected to the switch @ 10 Gbps via a 2 meter Cisco Twinax copper cable. The FreeNAS has an Intel X520 NIC in it.
My plan is to purchase a 2nd X520 for my workstation. My understanding is that the I should stick with an Intel branded SFP+ optics module, such as this one?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-FTLX8...9-001-Optic-/401003133918?hash=item5d5da63bde
Correct. While optics with the same part number (except the "-IT" at the end, "-Intel") really ought to work fine, they're vendor locked not to. This is a restriction imposed by the device (ethernet card in this case), not the optic. If you have a device that isn't vendor-locked, like a generic switch, the optics are interchangeable and you can use an Intel, Dell, Cisco, IBM, etc., optic in it.
And I was thinking I would pick up a 15 meter cable from these guys:
http://www.cablesandkits.com/lclc-1...uplex-50125-fiber-patch-cable-15m-p-3796.html
LC - LC Multimode is what I want right?
Yes. I will warn you that they are not the cheapest source, but they have been extremely pleasant to work with over the years, and the products are of good quality. You could probably get away with something less expensive if you're very cost sensitive.
That just leaves figuring out what SFP+ module to get for the switch side. Switch is a Ubiquiti UniFi switch with a pair of SFP+ uplink ports. Perhaps I can get away with the same SFP+ I plan to put in on the X520 end?
I wouldn't, without looking around. I'd suggest browsing the Ubiquiti forums for a little while to see if they require vendor locked optics (my guess: not). The Intels are too pricey. I was picking up Dells at $20-$25/ea shipped but those are BCL's not BCV's.
Actually I just spent a few minutes and it seems people have used the Dells successfully.
https://community.ubnt.com/t5/EdgeSwitch/SFP-modules-compatibility/td-p/1059539/page/2
Not sure exactly what hardware you have, so this is not any guarantee. But if you buy the Dell part and it doesn't work out, I might buy it from you if you're willing to sell it for $25 ("opportunistic bastard!").
This is the X520 card I already purchased for the FreeNAS server:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/181773127011?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
It did not come with any SFP+ modules. Perhaps there are less expensive options out there that includes SFP+ optics? Perhaps I need to use different search terms to dig one up?
Ah well they probably won't be less expensive options but what you're looking for is X520-SR2. The -DA2 variant is "D"irect "A"ttach "2" port, the -SR2 is "S"hort "R"ange. The only real difference is that the SR2 includes the optics.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-X520-...er-X520-SR2-E10G42BFSR-NIC-Dell-/321890267354