Dell Networking N4000 Series and Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switch Configuration Guide for EqualLogic SANs Dell Storage Engineering March 2014 SISfeedback@Dell.
Revisions Date Description February 2013 Initial release February 2014 Updated branding to include N4000 series March 2014 Revised for Firmware version 6.0.1.3 © 2014 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this material in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden. For more information, contact Dell. Dell, the Dell logo, and the Dell badge, Dell Networking, PowerConnect, EqualLogic, and Force10 are trademarks of Dell Inc.
Table of contents Revisions ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 2 1 2 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................................ 5 1.1 Audience ................................................................................
.4 Configure additional switch ........................................................................................................................................ 16 Additional resources .......................................................................................................................................................................
1 Introduction This document illustrates how to configure Dell™ Networking 4000 Series and Dell PowerConnect 8100 switches for use with EqualLogic™ PS Series storage using Dell best practices. The recommended configuration uses link aggregation groups (LAGs) for inter-switch connections. Optional steps are provided in Section 3 to enable Data Center Bridging (DCB). If you are following the Rapid EqualLogic Configuration steps at http://en.community.dell.com/techcenter/storage/w/wiki/3615.
1.3 Cabling diagram The cabling diagram shown below represents the Dell recommend method for deploying your servers and EqualLogic arrays. Figure 1 Cabling diagram Note: Dell Networking N4064, N4064F and PowerConnect 8164, 8164F switches have two built-in QSFP ports. For the Dell Networking N4032/N4032F and PowerConnect 8132/8132F switches, an optional QSFP uplink module must be installed.
2 Dell recommended switch configuration These steps show how to configure two Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series or Dell Networking N4000 Series switches with a Link Aggregation Group (LAG). The switches are interconnected using two 40 GbE Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable (QSFP) uplink ports, and the LAG is configured for Dynamic Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP). Dell recommends using QSFP (40 Gb) uplink module ports to create a Link Aggregation Group (LAG) between switches.
Boot Main Menu ============== 1 - Start Operational Code 2 - Select Baud Rate 3 - Retrieve Logs 4 - Load New Operational Code 5 - Display Operational Code Details 9 - Reboot 10 - Restore Configuration to Factory Defaults 11 - Activate Backup Image 12 - Start Password Recovery Enter choice number 10. Are sure you want to Erase Current Configuration? (Y/N): Y Erasing Current Configuration...done.
Would you like to run the setup wizard (you must answer this question within 60 seconds)? [Y/N] N 2.3 Disable DCB Note: If you plan to configure DCB (using Section 3) skip this section. For non-DCB environments, DCB must be manually disabled using the following steps: console>enable console#configure console(config)#no dcb enable console(config)#exit 2.
console(config)#exit 2.7 Enable iSCSI optimization feature This feature, enabled by default, is activated when EqualLogic arrays are detected. It automatically performs the following: Configures jumbo frames to 9216 on all ports. Disables unicast storm. Enables spanning tree portfast on ports connected to EqualLogic arrays. Configures flow control on all ports. Note: Spanning tree portfast must be manually configured for host facing ports. Refer to Section 2.8.
2.10 Configure spanning tree portfast on edge ports Note: If iSCSI optimization is enabled, spanning tree portfast is automatically configured on ports connected to EqualLogic arrays. These manual steps must be performed on switch ports connected to hosts servers. console#configure console(config)#interface range tengigabitethernet all console(config-if)#spanning-tree portfast console(config-if)#exit 2.11 Configure QSFP ports for LAG These commands assign 40Gb QSFP ports to the Port Channel.
3 Configure Data Center Bridging (DCB) (Optional) DCB is enabled by default. This section shows the steps required to configure DCB. Note: You must complete the Dell recommended switch configuration steps in Sections 2.1 to 2.12 before configuring the switch for DCB mode. 3.1 Enable DCB If DCB was previously disabled, it must be manually re-enabled. console#configure console(config)#dcb enable 3.2 Create VLAN console#configure console(conf)# vlan vlan-id Note: You must supply a VLAN id.
console(config-if)#exit console(config)#interface range fortygigabitethernet 1/0/1-2 Note: Port numbering for the 40Gb QSFP ports may vary by switch model and module configuration. Confirm the correct port range for your configuration.
3.7 Configure additional switches Repeat the commands from Section 3 to configure DCB on additional switches.
4 Reverting from DCB to non-DCB configuration (Optional) One method to revert from a DCB configured switch to a non-DCB configured switch is to delete the current configuration (startup-config) and follow the steps in Section 2. If deleting the current configuration is not an option, then use the following procedure to unconfigure DCB and enable standard flow control. Note: This is a disruptive operation that requires down time. The arrays will temporarily lose communication with each other.
4.2 Revert to default VLAN ID on switch and arrays Once DCB is disabled on the switch, the EqualLogic arrays will no longer use the VLAN ID that was configured when DCB was enabled. The arrays will revert to the default or native VLAN. Therefore, a valid VLAN must be configured for all host servers, switches, and EqualLogic array members. A valid VLAN can use the default or native VLAN ID (typically 0 or 1) or a specific VLAN can be configured (for example, VLAN 100).
Additional resources Support.dell.com is focused on meeting your needs with proven services and support. DellTechCenter.com is an IT Community where you can connect with Dell Customers and Dell employees for the purpose of sharing knowledge, best practices, and information about Dell products and your installations. Referenced or recommended Dell publications: Dell EqualLogic Configuration Guide: http://en.community.dell.com/dell-groups/dtcmedia/m/mediagallery/19852516/download.
