Dell M8428-k User Guide

							Dell M8428-k Hardware Reference Manualxi
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							xiiDell M8428-k Hardware Reference Manual
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Chapter
1Introducing the Dell M8428-k
In this chapter
•Dell M8428-k overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1
•NPIV mode and full fabric mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   1
•Hardware description  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   3
•ISL trunking groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
•Optional features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
•Unpacking and installing the Dell M8428-k  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   6
Dell M8428-k overview
The Dell M8428-k is a 28-port switch module with 8 external Converged Enhanced Ethernet (CEE) 
ports, 4 external Fibre Channel (FC) ports, and 16 internal CEE ports that installs in a Dell 
PowerEdge M1000e Blade Server Enclosure. The switch module is designed to be inserted in any 
of the bays labeled B1, B2, C1, or C2.
The external CEE ports operate at 10 Gbps. The internal CEE ports can operate at either 10 Gbps or 
1 Gbps. The FC ports support link speeds up to 8 Gbps.
The 16 internal ports connect to the server utilizing 10GBase-KR (KR) technology.
The Dell M8428-k ships with N_Port ID Virtualization (NPIV) mode enabled. This technology 
provides the ability to attach more devices to the fabric without having to create more domains.
Management for the converged network switch can be done through Dell Chassis Management 
Controller (CMC), the browser based GUI, or the command line interface (CLI).
The switch module contains three (3) temperature sensors. While the sensors will report the 
temperature of the switch, they will not initiate shutdown if the temperature is too high. That 
decision is made by the CMC.
The switch ships with three licenses installed:
•Fabric license
•Enhanced Group Management license
•FCoE Base license
NPIV mode and full fabric mode
The converged network switch can function in either NPIV mode or full fabric mode.
•The switch module is shipped in NPIV mode by default.  
						

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NPIV mode and full fabric mode1
•NPIV mode simplifies SAN deployment by using N_Port ID Virtualization. NPIV provides Fibre 
Channel switch functions that improve switch module scalability, manageability, and 
interoperability.
-For a list of switch module F_Ports mapped to N_Ports in the switch module as shipped 
from the factory, refer to 
“NPIV Mode default port mapping” on page 27.
NOTE
NPIV mode-enabled switches cannot be connected directly into an array; it requires a fabric to 
support NPIV. 
Features available on the switch module depend on whether the module is configured in NPIV or 
full fabric mode.
Ta b l e 1 lists Fabric OS components that are supported on a switch when NPIV mode is enabled. 
“No” indicates that the feature is not provided in NPIV mode. “NA” indicates this feature is not 
applicable in NPIV mode of operation. A single asterisk (*) indicates the feature is transparent to 
NPIV, that is NPIV forwards the request to the Enterprise fabric. Two asterisks (**) indicates that if 
the Enterprise fabric is not of a specific configuration, the feature may not be available.
TABLE 1Fabric OS components supported in NPIV mode 
Feature Support
Access Control Yes (limited roles)1
Admin Domains No
Audit Yes
Beaconing Yes
Config Download/Upload Yes
DHCP Yes
Environmental Monitor Yes
Error Event Management Yes
Extended Fabrics No
Fabric Device Management Interface (FDMI) Yes*
Fabric Watch Yes (limited)
FICON (includes CUP) No
Native Interoperability Mode NA
License Yes**
Log Tracking Yes
Management Server NA
Manufacturing Diagnostics Yes
N_Port ID Virtualization Yes
Name Server NA
Network Time Protocol (NTP) No (no relevance from fabric perspective)
2
Open E_Port NA
Performance Monitor Yes (Basic PM only, no APM support)
Port Mirroring No 
						

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Hardware description1
NPIV mode hardware considerations
Hardware considerations for NPIV mode are as follows:
•Loop devices are not supported.
•Direct connections to SAN target devices are only supported if the NPIV-enabled module is 
connected to a fabric.
Hardware description
This section describes the physical switch module as shipped from the factory. For specifications, 
such as installed memory, weight and physical dimensions, facility requirements, architectural 
specifications, and regulatory compliance, refer to 
Appendix A, “Dell M8428-k specifications”
Port side 
Externally accessible ports and LEDs are on the port side of the switch module. The port side faces 
out when the switch module is inserted into the I/O bay of the Blade Server enclosure. 
Figure 1 
details the port side. For a complete description of the locations and interpretations of these LEDs, 
see 
“Interpreting LED activity” on page 23.
Access the converged network switch handle at the front of the port side of the switch module. By 
lifting the handle’s release latch, you can open the handle to remove and insert the unit. To extend 
the release lever, gently squeeze the release latch and pull outward.
QuickLoop, QuickLoop Fabric Assist No
Security Yes (ADS/DCC Policy)
SNMP Yes
Speed Negotiation Yes
Syslog Daemon Yes
Tr u n k i n g Ye s * *
Zoning NA
1. When a switch is enabled in NPIV mode, RBAC features in the Fabric OS are available, but 
there are some limitations. 
2.  In embedded switches, time should be updated by the server management utility.
TABLE 1Fabric OS components supported in NPIV mode (Continued)
Feature Support 
						

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Hardware description1
FIGURE 1Port side view
Top view
The nonport side of the switch module (shown in Figure 2) is seated into the enclosure. You do not 
need to line up the switch module as it will seat correctly when the release lever is closed.
When the switch module is inserted, the midplane connectors activate a connection port, allowing 
the switch module to be configured in the Blade Server Enclosure.
1 10 GbE CEE ports with bi-color 
(green/amber) port status LEDs above 
each port2 RJ45 console port
3 8 Gbps FC ports with bi-color 
(green/amber) port status LEDs above 
each port4Switch status LED (green/amber)
5 Power status LED (green) 6 Release latch
7 Server management LED (blue/amber) 8 Release lever
M8428 -k   
21
768
45
3 
						

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Hardware description1
FIGURE 2Top view
Labeling
Figure 2 shows the labels appearing on the switch module. A second serial label is located beneath 
the release lever on the enclosure (visible only when the lever is extended). 
Transceivers
NOTE
You must install Dell-approved transceivers in the switch module. 
The converged network switch was designed to work with small form-factor pluggable (SFP) optical 
modules. The basic switch module ships with four 8 Gbps Dell-approved transceivers for the Fibre 
Channel ports.
NOTE
You can also install 4 Gbps transceivers in the FC ports of the switch module. All transceivers must 
be Dell-approved.
1 Switch module release lever
2 Release latch
3 Product label including serial number
4 Midplane connectors
4
32
1 
						

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ISL trunking groups1
Transceivers provide optical connections to external devices for both SWL and LWL connections. 
Replace transceivers with a new pluggable unit rather than replacing the switch module. Refer to 
the manufacturer’s instructions when installing transceivers. 
“Removing and replacing the converged network switch” on page 25 provides details about 
removing transceivers from the converged network switch. 
ISL trunking groups
If you have purchased an ISL Trunking license for your converged network switch, external FC ports 
can form trunking groups of ISLs between adjacent switches. Ports that can be used within the 
same trunking group are color-coded on the switch module’s port side for easy identification.
All four external FC ports (0, 25-27) can be formed into a single 4-port trunk if the attached switch 
supports an 4-port trunk. The ports can also form 2-port or 3-port trunk as well.
NOTE
Only the external ports are available for trunking.
Optional features
The converged network switch supports the following optional software, which is activated with the 
purchase of the corresponding license key. Applicable options depend on whether the switch 
module operates in NPIV or full fabric mode.
NPIV mode
Full fabric mode
Unpacking and installing the Dell M8428-k
If the converged network switch is installed in the Blade Server Enclosure as shipped to you, skip 
this section. This section applies when installing a new module in an empty bay or replacing an 
existing converged network switch.
NOTE
The converged network switch is designed to work in I/O bays B1/B2 and C1/C2 of the Dell M1000e 
Blade Server Enclosure for SAN connectivity. Make sure to comply with installation requirements in 
the Blade Server Enclosure Hardware Owner’s Manual.
•Fabric/Switch License
•NPIV (N_Port) Trunking
•Server Application Optimization
•Enhanced Group Management1
•ISL Trunking
•Advanced Performance Monitoring
•Fabric Watch
1. included with the converged network switch 
						

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Unpacking and installing the Dell M8428-k1
Perform the following steps to remove the switch module from its shipping package.
1. Open the shipping box and inspect the contents, making sure that nothing is missing or 
damaged.
Do not insert a damaged converged network switch into the Blade Blade Server Enclosure. If 
the converged network switch appears to be damaged, contact your sales representative 
before proceeding.
2. Remove the cardboard accessory tray from on top of the converged network switch.
This tray contains the documentation, regulatory statements, product information guide, and 
Documentation CD.
3. Remove the switch module from the box.
The protective foam ends will slide out with the switch module.
4. Remove the foam ends from the switch module.
5. Be sure that you have taken the necessary precautions for electrostatic sensitivity; then break 
the seal warning.
6. Slide the switch module out of the antistatic sleeve and inspect it carefully for any obvious 
defects or shipping damage. 
7. For complete instructions to install the converged network switch into the Blade Server 
Enclosure, refer to the section on installing answitch module in the Blade Server Enclosure 
Hardware Owner’s Manual.
NOTE
Be sure to remove the protective covers from the midplane connectors before installing the 
module into the enclosure. 
						

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Unpacking and installing the Dell M8428-k1