Dell M8428-k User Guide

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Changing from full fabric mode to NPIV aggregator mode2
Changing to NPIV mode using the browser-based GUI
Complete the following steps to enable NPIV mode using the browser-based GUI.
1. From the management console, open a Web browser.
2. Enter the IP address of the converged network switch into the Address field of the Web 
browser.
3. Log into the browser-based GUI using the default administrative account.
Login: admin
Password: password
4. From the Fabric Tree, select the converged network switch.
The selected switch module appears in the Switch View.
5. Click the Switch Admin button in the browser-based GUI Manage task box. 
The Switch Administration window opens.
NOTE
You should save the configuration file if you are converting an converged network switch to NPIV 
mode. To save your current configuration, click the Show Advanced Mode button in the top 
right-hand corner of the Switch Administration window. Select the Configure tab, then select the 
Upload/Download tab. Enter the relevant information to upload the configuration file. 
6. From the Switch Status section, click Disable.
7. From the NPIV Mode section, click Enable.
8. Click Apply.
9. When prompted, click Yes to restart the switch module in NPIV mode.
The current browser-based GUI session closes; relaunch browser-based GUI after the switch 
module reboots.
Changing to NPIV mode using the command line interface
Complete the following steps to enable NPIV mode using the CLI.
1. Log in using the default administrative account.
Login: admin
Password: password
2. Enter the following command to disable full fabric mode.
switchDisable
3. Back up the switch configurations. See “Backing up the configuration” on page 20 for 
specifics.
4. Enter the following command to enable NPIV mode:
ag ––modeEnable
The switch module automatically reboots and comes back online in NPIV mode using a factory 
default F_Port to N_Port mapping.  
						

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Backing up the configuration2
5. You can enter the ag ––modeShow command to ensure that the module is in NPIV mode.
ag --modeShow
The response should be:
Access Gateway mode is enabled.
You can also enter the ag ––mapshow command to display the F_Port to N_Port mapping. 
Enter ag ––help command to display a list of all NPIV actions.
Backing up the configuration
Perform these steps to back up the switch module configuration to an FTP server.
1. Open a Telnet or SSH session to the switch module.
2. Enter the following command to upload the basic configuration of the switch module:
configUpload
You are then presented with a series of prompts.
3. Follow the prompts to upload the configuration.
4. When the upload completes, enter the following command to access the CEE CLI:
cmsh
5. Enter the following command to upload the current CEE configuration:
copy running-config ftp://[username@server/path]
You are then prompted for a password.
When you enter the password, the copy procedure begins.
These commands upload the switch module configurations to the server, making it available for 
downloading to a replacement switch module if necessary. 
Dell recommends backing up the configuration on a regular basis to ensure that a complete 
configuration is available for downloading to a replacement switch module.  
						

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Chapter
3Operating the Dell M8428-k
In this chapter
•Interoperability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   21
•Accessing the converged network switch  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   22
•Interpreting POST results  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   22
•Interpreting LED activity  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   23
•Locating the serial number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   24
•Removing and replacing the converged network switch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   25
Interoperability
The converged network switch supports interoperability for the following functions:
Port negotiation on Fibre Channel ports
The converged network switch has been designed to be highly interoperable. 8 Gbps ports support 
2, 4, and 8 Gbps transmit and receive rates with autonegotiation using SFP+ transceivers. You can 
also install 4 Gbps SFP transceivers, which allow 1 Gbps, 2 Gbps, and 4 Gbps transmit and receive 
rates with autonegotiation. The actual data signaling rate used on a port is automatically sensed 
and set to the rate supported by the device or devices attached to the port. 
NOTE
You must install Dell-approved transceivers in the switch module. 
If the converged network switch is connected to a device, but is unable to negotiate the signaling 
rate, the operator can manually set the speed of each port through the management interfaces.
The converged network switch is compliant with current Fibre Channel standards, including most 
current-generation switch N_Ports, NL_Ports, and E_Ports as well as host adapters, Redundant 
Array of Independent Disks (RAID) storage devices, hubs, Fibre-SCSI bridge devices, and older 
switch families.
•link initialization
•principal converged network 
switch selection
•routing (FSPF)
•Simple Name Service
•state change notification
•soft WWN zoning
•SNMP facilities
•translative mode (private target support on fabrics)
•trunking (between two Dell switches)
•Advanced Performance Monitoring  
						

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Accessing the converged network switch3
Accessing the converged network switch
The converged network switch is managed as a single element. It has a single IP address and 
appears as a separate entity to the Telnet protocol and the Simple Network Management Protocol 
(SNMP).
When SNMP devices send SNMP messages to a management console running SAN management 
software, the information is stored in a Management Information Base (MIB). The switch module 
OS supports the FibreAlliance Fibre Channel Management (FCMGMT) MIBs, allowing the provision 
of needed information to a SAN administrator.
Secure Telnet access is available using Secure Shell (SSH), a network security protocol for secure 
remote login and other secure network services over an insecure network.
Browser-based GUI management is available through a secure browser using Secure Sockets Layer 
(SSL). The SSL security protocol provides data encryption, server authentication, message integrity, 
and optional client authentication for a TCP/IP connection. Because SSL is built into all major 
browsers and Web servers, installing a digital certificate enables the SSL capabilities.
Interpreting POST results
The power-on self test (POST) system check is performed each time the converged network switch 
is powered on, rebooted, or reset. 
Example  POST Output
POST1: Started running Fri Oct  8 13:39:25 GMT 2010
POST1: Test #1 - Running ceeturboramtest
POST1: Running diagshow
POST1: Script PASSED with exit status of 0 Fri Oct  8 13:39:54 GMT 2010 took 
(0:0:29)
POST2: Started running Fri Oct  8 13:39:54 GMT 2010
POST2: Test #1 - Running ceeportloopbacktest (SERDES)
POST2: Test #1 - Running ceeportloopbacktest (BACKPLANE)
During POST, the LEDs are activated in various indicator patterns.
Perform the following steps to determine POST completion status.
1. Verify that the LEDs on the converged network switch indicate a healthy converged network 
switch. LED patterns are described in 
“Interpreting LED activity,” next.
If one or more LEDs do not display a healthy state, verify that the LEDs are not set to beacon. 
Use the switch module CLI switchShow command or the browser-based GUI to verify the LED 
state.
2. Use the Blade Server Enclosure’s Chassis Management Controller (CMC) GUIto verify that the 
converged network switch is working correctly. 
For details, refer to the Hardware Owner’s Manual for the Blade Server Enclosure.
3. Review the system log for errors.
Any errors detected during POST are written to the system log. Access this log through the 
Module’s CLI errShow command. 
						

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Interpreting LED activity3
Interpreting LED activity
Each converged network switch uses LEDs to indicate status. These LEDs are shown in Figure 4. 
FIGURE 4LED Locations
The front panel of the switch module has two sets of LEDs. The power and status/fault LEDs on the 
right of the switch module indicate the switch module status. The fault/activity LEDs on the CEE 
ports and the fault/activity LEDs on the FC ports indicate the status of the external ports. Each port 
has one bi-color LED.
See Figure 4 on page 23 for the locations of the LEDs on the switch module. These LEDs are 
described in “Switch module status LEDs” on page 23 and “Port status LEDs” on page 24.
Any errors that are detected during POST are written to the system log.
When POST errors are written to the system log, these errors are also written to the BladeCenter 
management module event log. If a hardware error, such as a current fault occurs, the 
management module displays it. If a software error occurs, the management module displays the 
“Module did not complete POST” message and a post error code that indicates the test that was 
running when the error was detected.
NOTE
You can also use the management module to make sure that the switch module is operating 
correctly. For more information, see the documentation for the BladeCenter unit.
Switch module status LEDs
The following table provides descriptions of the switch module status LEDs on the front panel of the 
switch module.
1 Bi-color (green/amber) LEDs for 10 GbE 
CEE ports2 Bi-color (green/amber) LEDs for 8 Gbps FC ports
3 Server management LED (blue/amber) 4 Power status LED (green)
5 Switch status LED (green/amber)
M8428 -k   
3
4 5
12 
						

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Locating the serial number3
Port status LEDs
The following table provides descriptions of the port status LEDs on the front panel of the switch 
module.
Locating the serial number
Before contacting service support, be sure to obtain the module’s serial number. Use one of these 
methods to locate the number:
•Use the switch module CLI and enter the ChassisShow command. The converged network 
switch serial number is displayed along with other data.
•Locate the serial number on the label attached to the converged network switch. Refer to 
Figure 2 on page 5 for location.
TABLE 2System Status LEDs
Location Indicator Color Description
Power Green Off - no power 
On - power is on
Status Green/Amber Off - Switch is off 
Green - OK 
Amber - boot-up state or one or more ports are offline 
or reset state 
Blinking (green/amber alternating) - error
CMC Management Blue/Amber Steady blue - Normal/Stack Master 
Flashing blue - Module identify 
Steady amber - Not used 
Flashing amber - Fault 
Off - on fault/Stack Slave
TABLE 3CEE and FC port status LEDs
Location Port type Color Description
CEE ports Bi-color LED 
green/amberOff - no link or unlicensed 
Steady green - link is present 
Flashing green - activity over the link 
Steady amber - fault
FC ports Bi-color LED 
green/amberOff - no link 
Steady green - link is present 
Flickering green - normal activity 
Slowly flashing green - segmented 
Rapidly flashing green - loopback 
Steady amber - no sync 
Slowly flashing amber - disabled 
Rapidly flashing amber - fault 
						

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Removing and replacing the converged network switch3
Removing and replacing the converged network switch
Complete the following steps to remove and replace a failed converged network switch.
NOTE
Before beginning this procedure, ensure that you have a replacement converged network switch or 
filler panel available because you should not leave the slot on the Blade Server Enclosure open for 
an extended period of time. The slot must be filled with either a replacement converged network 
switch or a filler panel to maintain proper airflow.
1. Back up the converged network switch configuration to an FTP server by using the switch 
module’s configUpload CLI command and following the prompts as well as the cmsh copy 
command to upload the CEE configuration. See 
“Backing up the configuration” on page 20 for 
more details.
This commands upload the converged network switch configurations to the server, making it 
available for downloading to a replacement converged network switch if necessary. It is 
recommended that you back up the configuration on a regular basis to ensure that a complete 
configuration is available for downloading to a replacement converged network switch. 
2. Stop all SAN activity requiring the ports used by the converged network switch.
For details about port management, refer to your Blade Server EnclosureHardware Owner’s 
Manual. Verify that there is no activity by viewing the converged network switch LEDs. For 
details about LED activity on the converged network switch, see “Interpreting LED activity” on 
page 23.
3. Remove all cables from the transceiver modules.
4. Remove the transceiver modules according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Figure 5 on page 26 details the generic process for removing a cable from an transceiver and 
an transceiver from a port. 
						

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Removing and replacing the converged network switch3
FIGURE 5Removing a cable and transceiver from a port
5. Refer to the Hardware Owner’s Manual for the Blade Server Enclosure to remove and replace 
the switch module from the enclosure.
.
ATTENTION
If you are not replacing the converged network switch, use a filler panel to fill the empty slot to 
maintain proper air flow. Do not leave the slot empty.
SFP Bale
31
Cable
Release
2
SFP
4 
						

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Appendix
ADell M8428-k specifications
In this chapter
•NPIV Mode default port mapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   27
•Processor and memory specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   27
•Weight and physical dimensions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   28
•Facility requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   28
•Electrical. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   29
•Architectural specification  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   29
•Supported mezzanine cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   30
•Fibre Channel standards compliance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   30
•Regulatory compliance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   31
•Environmental regulation compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   34
NPIV Mode default port mapping
The switch module contains 28 total ports. Of these, F_Ports are ports 1-24 and N_Ports are ports 
0 and 25-27.
In NPIV mode, the switch module F_Ports are mapped to N_Ports. The following table lists the 
factory-default F_Port to N_Port mapping for NPIV mode.
Ports 17-24 are the eight external CEE ports.
Processor and memory specifications
The processor and memory installed in the switch module are shown in Ta b l e 5.
TABLE 4NPIV mode port mapping
F_Ports mapped to N_Ports
1-4, 17, 18  25
5-8, 19, 20  26
9-12, 21, 22  27
13-16, 23, 24  0 
						

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Weight and physical dimensionsA
Weight and physical dimensions
Ta b l e 6 lists the weight and physical dimensions of the switch module.
Facility requirements
The information in Ta b l e 7 shows the operating and non-operating limitations of the Dell M8428-k.
TABLE 5Memory specifications
Memory type Value
PowerPC MPC8548 processor 1.33 GHz
SDRAM 1 GB DDR2
Boot flash 4 MB
Compact flash 1 GB
TABLE 6Switch module specifications
Dimension Measurements
Height 32.48 mm (1.27 in)
Width 272.75 mm (10.74 in)
Depth 307.24 mm (12.09 in)
Weight 2.10 kg (4.65 lb) — without media
TABLE 7Environmental requirements
Condition Operating Non-operating
Temperature 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F) -20°C to 70°C (-4°F to 158°F)
Humidity 10% to 90%, non-condensing at  
29°C (84.2°F)5% to 95%, non-condensing at  
38°C (100.4 °F)
Altitude Up to 3,048 m (10,000 ft) 10,668 m (35,000 ft)
Shock 20 G for 6 ms 50G with velocity change of 4216 
mm/sec
2
Vibration 0.4 G at 5-500 Hz for 60 minutes 0.5 G at 2-200 Hz for 15 minutes
Air flow 30°C (86 °F) Ambient: Approx. 3CFM
40°C (104°F) Ambient: Approx. 9CFMNone required