Dell PowerConnect M8024-k User Manual
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Dell PowerConnect M8024-k User Manual

Stacking dell powerconnect 10g switches
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See also: Configuration Manual
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 10G
Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F
Victor Teeter

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Summary of Contents for Dell PowerConnect M8024-k

  • Page 1 Stacking Dell PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F Victor Teeter...
  • Page 2 The content is provided as is, without express or implied warranties of any kind. © 2011 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. Dell and its affiliates cannot be responsible for errors or omissions in typography or photography. Dell, the Dell logo, and PowerEdge are trademarks of Dell Inc. Intel and Xeon are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F Contents Contents ........................1 Introduction ........................ 3 Stacking and Management ..................4 Stacking and Redundancy ..................4 Meta-Data Considerations ..................4 Identifying Physical Units and Ports in a Stack ..............5 How a Master (Management Unit) is Selected ..............6 How to Select a Master During Initial Stack Setup .............
  • Page 4 Dell PowerConnect 8024 (10G Ethernet) .............. 3 Figure 3. Dell PowerConnect 8024F (10G Ethernet) ............4 Figure 4. SFP+ Four Port Expansion for the M8024-k ............8 Figure 5. Stacking multiple M8024-k switches in a single M1000e........... 10 Figure 6.

  • Page 5: Introduction

    Starting with firmware 4.2, the latest PowerConnect 10 Gigabit switches can now be stacked. These stacks can include up to six 8024/8024F switches or up to six M8024-k switches. Appendix A at the end of this document shows the maximum scalability, stacking six 8024F switches using eight stack ports between each member.

  • Page 6: Stacking And Management

    Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F LNK/ LNK/ Combo Figure 3. Dell PowerConnect 8024F (10G Ethernet) Stacking and Management An important advantage of stacking is that it provides a consolidated interface for management of multiple switches linked together. After a stack is deployed in the network, operators can easily add units to the stack as their port requirements increase, with minimal administrative overhead.

  • Page 7: Identifying Physical Units And Ports In A Stack

    Once stacked, using logging commands is an easy way to find a Unit number, identify order of the stacked units, and (if using M8024-k) identify the chassis a member unit is in. From the Telnet or Serial port CLI, perform the following.

  • Page 8: How A Master (Management Unit) Is Selected

    Master in the event the Master fails. Note: If the stack consists of M8024-k modular switches in an M1000e chassis, the CMC also shows each Master in the chassis and the fabric (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, or C2) where it is located. See Figure 8.

  • Page 9: How To Select A Master During Initial Stack Setup

    Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F  If the unit number is configured and there are no other devices using the unit number, then the switch starts using the configured unit number.  If the switch detects that the maximum number of units already exist in the stack making it unable to assign a unit number, then the switch sets its unit number to unassigned and does not participate in the stack.

  • Page 10: Creating A Stack

    All M8024-k scenarios below assume the switches are using external ports 17-20 and that no modules are installed providing additional external ports. If an SFP+ expansion module is installed (Figure 4), it provides four additional ports which can be used for stacking.
  • Page 11 The follow is a short list of possible scenarios that are supported:  Stacking six M8024-k switches in slots A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2 in a single chassis.  Stacking six M8024-k switches across six M1000e chassis, using slot B1 in each chassis.

  • Page 12: Figure 5. Stacking Multiple M8024-K Switches In A Single M1000E

    Stacking M8024-k switches across multiple M1000e chassis The above figure shows three M8024-k switches, each in slot C2 of three different M1000e chassis, and all three wired for stacking using a single link. Using only a single link is standard when stacking M8024-k switches that have no SFP+ expansion modules installed (see Figure 4).

  • Page 13: Command-Line Interface Method

    Dell Blade Server CMC User's Guide at http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/software/smdrac3/cmc/index.htm. Any SFP+ port, whether built-in to the M8024-k or on an expansion module, may be used for stacking. For this example the built-in ports 17 and 18 are used as shown in Figure 5.
  • Page 14 It shows the Configured Stack Mode and the Running Stack Mode are currently both Ethernet. And since this is an M8024-k model, it shows eight interfaces, four built-in SFP+ ports plus four additional ports set aside (Not Created) for the optional 4-port SFP+ expansion module (see Figure 4).
  • Page 15 Perform the same steps for the remaining switches. For this example, interfaces 17 and 18 are used on all switches. Once every switch in the stack has been configured, power down (unplug) all M8024-k switches that will be joining the stack.
  • Page 16 Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F Note: The running-configuration doesn’t need to be copied to the startup-configuration in order to create the stack on the next reload. When the stacking commands above were added to the running- configuration they were also added to the meta-data (see meta-data considerations above) and will be utilized from that location upon reload.

  • Page 17: Web Interface Method

    Not Created Unknown The above command displays all potential stack ports (all SFP+ interfaces), and also identifies those currently in Stack Mode. For additional information on stacking, consult the Dell PowerConnect M8024- k User’s Configuration Guide. Web Interface Method Be sure all switches are at the same firmware version prior to configuring the stack, or use the Stack Firmware Synchronization feature (a.k.a.

  • Page 18: Figure 7. Cmc Login Screen For The M1000E

    2. Enter the username and password. The factory default username is root and the default password is calvin. 3. From the CMC web page, select I/O Module Overview to see all M8024-k switches installed in the M1000e chassis. (Figure below) All stand-alone switches in the chassis will show up as Master.

  • Page 19: Figure 8. I/O Module Status Screen (Cmc)

    Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F Figure 8. I/O Module Status screen (CMC) 4. Launch the Web UI of the switch to be the Master by clicking the Launch IOM GUI button or directly through a web browser by typing the IP address into the URL field. Either method will...
  • Page 20 Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F 5. After login, the first screen to appear will be the Home screen which shows ports 17 thru 20 are available for stacking. The current stacking member number is also displayed on this screen.
  • Page 21 Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F 9. Select System > Stack Management > Unit Configuration. Note: The next three steps are optional, but allow the user to select the Switch ID for each member. A stack will be created even if these settings are skipped. Settings can also be changed after the stack is created.
  • Page 22 Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F 12. Click Apply. Changing a Switch ID requires a reboot of the stack. Be sure to save the configuration before allowing the reboot. This can be done from the System > File Management > Copy Files screen as described on the next page.
  • Page 23 Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F 15. Click Apply. The next screen will save the configuration to the Startup Configuration. 16. Select System > File Management > Copy Files from the main navigation menu. 17. Select the Copy Configuration option, using a Source of Running Config, and a Destination of Startup Config.
  • Page 24 MAC address will become master. 22. Power up the two M8024-k switches by inserting them back into the M1000e blade chassis slots. Allow several minutes for this stack of 2 devices to come up completely. You can ensure the stack is ready using the steps in the Validation section below.

  • Page 25: Configuring The 8024/8024F Stack

    Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F Note: It is simple to change the Master or Standby to a different unit if desired using the Unit Configuration screen. Configuring the 8024/8024F Stack PowerConnect 8024/8024F switches can be stacked up to six high, supporting up to 132 front-panel ports when two ports on each unit are configured as stacking ports.

  • Page 26: Command-Line Interface Method

    Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F LNK/ LNK/ Combo LNK/ LNK/ Combo LNK/ LNK/ Combo Figure 10. Stacking 8024/8024F switches using multiple stack links When a stack consists of three or more members and at least one of those members is an 8024, a maximum of two (2) stacking ports should be used between stacking peers for several reasons.
  • Page 27 Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F Notice that the Configured Stack Mode and the Running Stack Mode are both Ethernet. Perform the following commands. console#config console(config)#stack console(config-stack)#stack-port tengigabitethernet 1/0/21 stack console(config-stack)#stack-port tengigabitethernet 1/0/22 stack console(config-stack)#do show switch stack-ports Configured...
  • Page 28 Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F Continue cabling the remaining switches using one cable per switch until all are added. After each is cable, power up that switch. These can be done quickly and do not require any wait time between cabling and powering up, or waiting between adding each member.

  • Page 29: Web Interface Method

    Stack mode. For 8024 switches only four ports are displayed, whereas for 8024F switches, 24 ports are displayed. For additional information on stacking, consult the Dell PowerConnect 8024/8024F Switch User’s Configuration Guide.
  • Page 30 Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F 1. After login, the first screen to appear will be the Home screen which shows the current stacking member number. Before stacking, the single member will have the Stack number 2. Click System > Stack Management > Stack Port Summary to bring up the next page used to select the ports for stacking.
  • Page 31 Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F Note: Since this example uses a PowerConnect 8024, there are only four possible ports that can be stacked. A PowerConnect 8024F would have 24 ports that could be used for stacking. 4. Click Apply.
  • Page 32 Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F Select the Unit Type of Management, Stand-by, or Member. For this example, Management will be selected for all switches since they are all currently stand-alone. Once a stack is created, this setting will allow each stack member to be individually selected for these roles.
  • Page 33 Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F 10. Optionally, enable an SNMP Trap to be sent whenever a firmware sync is triggered; also if desired, enable the Master to downgrade a new member unit even if the new unit has a more recent firmware revision.
  • Page 34 Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F 14. Click Apply. 15. Once all systems have been configured with stacking ports, power down all switches. 16. Cable any two switches together using a single cable between the two. 17. Power up the switches that are cabled together. When the stack is first created, the switch with the highest MAC address will become master.

  • Page 35: Adding New Members To A Stack

    The example below shows how to add a stack member to an existing stack. An 8024 is used for this example, but the same commands can be used on an 8024F or M8024-k. Before cabling an additional member to a stack, run the commands below to setup the switch to join the stack. Once configured, continue to follow the instructions below for cabling to complete the task.
  • Page 36 Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F Note: If the unit has never been a member of a stack, the Unit number displayed will be 1 as shown above. If previously a stack member, the Unit number displayed can be anywhere between 1 and 6.

  • Page 37: Figure 11. Preparing A Stack Unit (Cli Method)

    Note: To power down an 8024/8024F, simply remove the power cords from the back of the device. To power down an M8024-k, unplug it from the M1000e blade chassis. Plug the new cable into one of the two stack ports on the new switch unit to be added. See Figure 11.

  • Page 38: Web Interface Method

    An 8024 is used for this example, but the same screens can be used on an 8024F or M8024-k. Before cabling an additional member to a stack, perform the settings below to setup the switch to join the stack. Once configured, continue to follow the instructions below for cabling to...
  • Page 39 Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F members are to be added, follow these directions and complete the install of one before going to the next. Complete these steps again for each remaining switch to be added. The example given below allows the user to add the new member without preconfiguring the existing stack, though the new member itself will need to be configured.
  • Page 40 If this is preferred, see the instructions that came with the firmware for directions to manually update the firmware. Power down the switch to be added by removing the power cords. If performing on an M8024-k, then unplug it from the M1000e blade chassis.
  • Page 41 Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F This setting automatically upgrades firmware on new members as they are added to the stack. In the event the new stack member has a newer firmware version, a downgrade will also be allowed.

  • Page 42: Figure 13. Preparing A Stack Unit (Web Ui Method)

    Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F LNK/ LNK/ Combo LNK/ LNK/ Combo LNK/ LNK/ Combo Member unit to be added LNK/ LNK/ Combo Figure 13. Preparing a Stack Unit (Web UI method) Note: If the original stack is cabled in a ring where a stacking port on the last switch is connected to a stacking port on the first switch, it will continue to work correctly through this process.

  • Page 43: Updating Firmware On A Stack

    Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F 12. Power up the new member switch by restoring the power cables (on 8024/8024F) or plugging it into the blade chassis (on the M8024-k). It usually takes a few minutes for the stack to build and restart. Once restarted and the new member has joined the stack, the remaining configuration can be set on including VLANs, LAGs, data cables to other equipment, etc.

  • Page 44: Command-Line Interface Method

    Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F Command-Line Interface Method To find the firmware versions the stack members are using, enter the following. console#show version Image Descriptions image1 : default image image2 : Images currently available on Flash unit image1...
  • Page 45 Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F unit image1 image2 current-active next-active ----- ------------ ------------ ----------------- ----------------- 4.2.0.1 4.2.0.2 image1 image1 4.2.0.1 4.2.0.2 image1 image1 4.2.0.2 4.2.0.1 image2 image2 4.2.0.1 4.2.0.2 image1 image1 The current-active column now shows the same values as the next-active column. The next step is to activate the image that contains the new firmware.

  • Page 46: Web Interface Method

    Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F To validate, login to the stack Master and perform a show version command. For the example given the following is displayed. console#show version Images currently available on Flash unit image1 image2 current-active next-active ----- ------------ ------------ ----------------- ----------------- 4.2.0.1...
  • Page 47 Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F TFTP server. The stack will need access to the TFTP server on the network and the firmware file will need to be present in the download folder of the TFTP server. Perform the following: 4.
  • Page 48 Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F 9. Click Close. After a firmware file is copied from a TFTP server to the Master, it begins automatically distributing it to all member units in the stack. This procedure usually takes a few minutes longer than updating a single, non-stacked switch.

  • Page 49: Un-Stacking (Removing Member Units)

    Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F 16. Click Apply. 17. After the stack resets, verify the new firmware has become active. 18. Select System > File Management > Active Images again. 19. Notice the new firmware (i.e. 4.2.0.4) is now the Current-Active image for each member.

  • Page 50: Command-Line Interface Method

    Identifying Physical Unit Numbers and Ports within a Stack The Dell PowerConnect 8024/8024F, and M8024-k hardware did not originally include the stacking feature that was introduced in firmware 4.2 and therefore do not have all of the hardware features commonly found on stacking devices such as dedicated stacking ports, locate LEDs, or LCDs displaying stack unit numbers.

  • Page 51: Removing The Physical Switch Unit From The Stack

    Master in the event the Master fails. Note: If the stack consists of M8024-k modular switches in an M1000e chassis, the CMC will also show the fabric (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, or C2) in which the Master is located.

  • Page 52: Figure 15. Cabling Of Four Stacked Units

    Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F Do not remove or re-route stacking cables until prompted in the last step below. Disconnect all other links on the stack member to be removed and re-route the traffic that was going through this unit so it now goes through the ports that were prepared on the remaining stack unit members.

  • Page 53: Removing Units From The Stack Configuration

    Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F Removing Units from the Stack Configuration Once a stack unit has been removed, it may be desirable to remove it completely from the stack configuration. Issuing a no member command in Stack Configuration mode will delete the removed switch from the configured stack information.

  • Page 54: Web Interface Method

    Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F console(config)#switch 4 renumber 3 The switch will be reset to perform unit renumbering and the configuration of switch interfaces will be cleared. Are you sure you want to renumber? (y/n)y Allow a few minutes for the switch to renumber, then enter the following.

  • Page 55: Identifying Physical Unit Numbers And Ports Within A Stack

    Alternative methods to obtain this information are described below. Note: An M8024-k modular blade switch does have a blue LED identifier for its Master only. An easy way to find the Unit number and identify order of the stacked units is to use logging.
  • Page 56 Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F 2. Click Apply. 3. From the stack, create a link-up or link-down on any port for two to three seconds by either plugging in or unplugging a cable, then reversing the action. For this example, port 17 is used on one of the three stack members.

  • Page 57: Removing The Physical Switch Unit From The Stack

    Master in the event the Master fails. Note: If the stack consists of M8024-k modular switches in an M1000e chassis, the CMC will also show the fabric (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, or C2) in which the Master is located.

  • Page 58: Removing Units From The Stack Configuration

    Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F LNK/ LNK/ Combo LNK/ LNK/ Combo LNK/ LNK/ Combo Member unit to be removed LNK/ LNK/ Combo Figure 17. Cabling of four stacked units LNK/ LNK/ Combo LNK/ LNK/ Combo LNK/ LNK/ Combo...
  • Page 59 Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F Notice that Unit #4 is no longer present, and its Management Status is Unassigned. 1. To remove it completely from the stack configuration, select System > Stack Management > User Configuration. 2. Select the switch ID of the switch that was removed (i.e. 4).

  • Page 60: Renumbering Stack Units

    Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F Renumbering Stack Units PowerConnect 8024/8024F/M8024-k switch Stacks allow users to renumber the Units in the stack. For example: a physical port in a stack is Te4/0/21, where 4 is the Unit Number. If this Stack is renumbered so that Unit 4 is now Unit 2, then the same physical port that was Te4/0/21 is now Te2/0/21.
  • Page 61 Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F 3. Select System > Stack Management > Unit Configuration. 4. In the Switch ID field select 4 from the pull-down menu, and enter a 3 in the Change Switch ID to field. 5. Click Apply.
  • Page 62 Stacking PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, 8024F Notice also that the old number still exists but is Unassigned. To permanently remove this Unassigned number, follow the instructions in this guide under Removing Units from the Stack Configuration Consult the User Guide for additional stacking information.

  • Page 63: Appendix A - Maximum Stacking Scalability

    Network switch Dell PowerConnect M8024k Dell PowerConnect 8024/8024F Software version 4.2.0.1, 4.2.0.2, 4.2.0.3, 4.2.0.4 4.2.0.1, 4.2.0.2, 4.2.0.3, 4.2.0.4 Table 1. Switch Firmware Versions About Dell Dell (NASDAQ: DELL) is a leading technology provider to commercial and public enterprises around the world.

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