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Configuring the Ethernet switch module
To connect any of the blade servers to the network, you must have an Ethernet
switch module installed in switch-module bay 1. See "Switch modules" on page 16
for information about the location and purpose of each switch module.
What to configure
You need to configure the switch IP addresses and subnet mask through the
management module Web interface in order to have switch communication with the
management module and remote management station (IBM Director server and
console, for example). This is in addition to the IP addresses configured in the
management module. You might also need to use the firmware in the switch module
to configure the switch external ports to operate in the correct link aggregation
(trunking) mode, or to configure any VLANs or other special conditions.
Note: To access the firmware in the switch module, make sure the following
Because all blade servers in the BladeCenter chassis share access to the external
LAN through the switch ports, you can configure the four ports on a switch module
to operate together as an aggregate link, or trunk. An aggregate link provides more
bandwidth than a single link to the attached LAN.
Notes:
1. The attaching LAN switch must have a compatible multi-port trunk configuration.
2. Configure link aggregation prior to attaching cables between the external ports
You configure the switch through the firmware on the switch module, which you can
access through the Web interface to the management module (click Switch Tasks
→ Management in the navigation panel).
Note: You can also access the firmware on the switch module directly through an
You can configure the IP addresses, subnet mask, and protocols through the IBM
BladeCenter Deployment Wizard, which is a function of the IBM Director product.
You can also configure external switch module ports for multi-port link aggregation
through the Wizard.
Important: For a remote management station, such as the IBM Director server, to
communicate with the switch modules in the BladeCenter unit, the switch modules
must be on the same subnet as the management module.
Supporting Ethernet failover
To have the BladeCenter unit support Ethernet failover on the blade servers, set up
the BladeCenter unit and blade servers as follows:
configuration items in the management module are set to Enabled:
v Switch module external ports
v External management for the external ports
In the management module Web interface, click Switch Tasks →
Management → Advanced Switch Management → Advanced Setup and
enable the items.
and your LAN equipment.
external switch module port, using a telnet interface or a Web browser and
the switch IP address. See the documentation that comes with the switch
module for more information.
Chapter 4. Configuring your BladeCenter unit
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