Ethernet Switch And Intelligent Pass Through Modules - IBM BladeCenter PS700 Technical Overview And Introduction

function with a single supporting I/O switch module. However, I/O switch modules should be
added in pairs to eliminate single points of failure.
For the latest and most current information about blade, expansion card, switch module, and
chassis compatibility and interoperability see the IBM BladeCenter Interoperability Guide at
the following Web page:
http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=psg1MIGR-5073016

1.6.1 Ethernet switch and intelligent pass through modules

Various types of Ethernet switch and pass through modules from several manufacturers are
available for BladeCenter, and they support different network layers and services. These I/O
modules provide external and chassis blade-to-blade connectivity.
The HEAs are on-blade ports that are part of the IVE subsystem that is a standard part of the
PS700, PS701, and PS702 blades. For more information, see 2.7, "Integrated Virtual
Ethernet" on page 61. There are two physical ports on the PS700 and PS701 and four
physical ports on the PS702. The data traffic from these on-blade 1 Gb Ethernet adapters is
directed to I/O switch bays 1 and 2 on all BladeCenter chassis except BladeCenter S. On the
BladeCenter S the connections for all blade HEA ports are wired to I/O switch bay 1.
To provide external network connectivity and a SOL system console through the BladeCenter
Advanced Management Module, at least one Ethernet I/O module is required in switch bay 1.
For more information, see 2.8.1, "Server console access by SOL" on page 63.
In addition to the HEA ports, the QLogic Ethernet and 4 Gb Fibre Channel Expansion Card
(CFFh) card can provide two additional 1 Gb Ethernet ports per card.
A list of available Ethernet I/O modules that support the on-blade HEA ports and expansion
card are shown in Table 1-10 on page 30. Not all switches are supported in every
configuration of BladeCenter. Complete compatibility matrixes are available on the following
Web pages:
ServerProven®:
http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/serverproven/compat/us/eserver.html
BladeCenter Interoperability Guide
http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=psg1MIGR-5073016
Table 1-10 Ethernet switch modules
Part Feature
number Code
43W4395 5450
41Y8523 2989
41Y8522 2988
39Y9324 1484
32R1860 1495
32R1861 1496
32R1859 1494
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IBM BladeCenter PS700, PS701, and PS702 Technical Overview and Introduction
Option description
Cisco Catalyst Switch Module 3012
Cisco Catalyst Switch Module 3110G
Cisco Catalyst Switch Module 3110X
IBM Server Connectivity Module
BNT L2/3 Copper Gigabit Ethernet Switch Module
BNT L2/3 Fibre Gigabit Ethernet Switch Module
BNT Layer 2-7 Gigabit Ethernet Switch Module
Number x type Network
of external ports layers
4 x Gigabit Ethernet Layer 2/3
4 x Gigabit Ethernet, Layer 2/3
2 x StackWise Plus
1 x 10 Gb Ethernet, Layer 2/3
2 x StackWise Plus
6 x Gigabit Ethernet Layer 2
6 x Gigabit Ethernet Layer 2/3
6 x Gigabit Ethernet Layer 2/3
4 x Gigabit Ethernet Layer 2/7