Dell Powerconnect 8164f Manual
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Victor Teeter Network Solutions Engineer Rev. 1.1 Stacking Dell PowerConnect Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F
Stacking Dell PowerConnect Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F ii This document is for informational purposes only and may contain typographical errors and technical inaccuracies. The content is provided as is, without express or implied warranties of any kind. © 2013 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. and other countries. Microsoft, Windows, and Windows Server are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products. Dell disclaims proprietary interest in the marks and names of others. May 2013| Rev 1.1
Stacking Dell PowerConnect Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F
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Contents
Important Firmware Update for PowerConnect 81xx Stacking .................................... 4
Introduction ............................................................................................... 6
Stacking and management ....................................................................................... 7
Simplified firmware updates for stack members ............................................................ 7
Stacking and redundancy ......................................................................................... 7
Nonstop forwarding on the stack ............................................................................... 7
Hot add/delete and firmware synchronization .............................................................. 7
Meta-data considerations ........................................................................................ 7
How a Master is selected ......................................................................................... 8
How to select a Master during initial stack setup ......................................................... 10
Stacking scenarios ....................................................................................... 11
Creating a Stack ................................................................................................. 12
Command-line interface method ......................................................................... 23
Web interface method ..................................................................................... 27
Updating firmware on a stack ................................................................................. 30
Command-line interface method ......................................................................... 30
Web interface method ..................................................................................... 32
Removing member units ........................................................................................ 38
Command-line interface method ......................................................................... 39
Web interface method ..................................................................................... 44
Managing the standby unit ...................................................................................... 51
Command-line interface method ......................................................................... 51
Web interface method ..................................................................................... 52
Appendix A – Commands used in this document .................................................... 55
Appendix B - Network switch versions ............................................................... 55
About Dell ................................................................................................ 55
Stacking Dell PowerConnect Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F
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Important Firmware Update for PowerConnect 81xx Stacking
As of May 2013, PowerConnect 8100 switches ship with an improved “B1” CPU. These new CPUs are
fully compatible and virtually identical to the original “A1” CPUs found in all prior PowerConnect 81xx
switches. The only difference with the new B1 switch that will cause concern to those wanting to have
both A1 and B1 switches in the same stack is the new B1 will not downgrade to the older 5.0.x.x
firmware code.
If attempting to add a B1 switch to a stack running 5.0.x.x firmware (or if trying to downgrade a stand-
alone B1 to 5.0.x.x firmware), be aware that the device will not update to the older firmware and will
fail to be added to the stack. Furthermore, if the boot auto-copy-sw feature is enabled on the stack
master with the allow-downgrade option also enabled, the new B1 switch will continue to reboot until
removed from the stack.
The recommended solution to this issue is to update the switch stack to firmware version 5.1.x.x or
later prior to adding any new switches to the stack. Find the latest firmware (5.1.x.x or later) at
http://support.dell.com.
Caution: Users can download the older 5.0.x.x firmware to the new B1 switch, but the
firmware will not load and is not usable.
Firmware 5.0.x.x is no longer recommended
If after reading the above section, it is still desired to run 5.0.x.x on a stack (not recommended), there
may be an option that will allow it depending on the CPU versions of each switch. Follow the
instructions below to find the CPU versions for all 8100 switches involved and determine available
options.
1. Run show version from the CLI prompt on either a stack or stand-alone switch.
2. If the stack or stand-alone is running 5.0.x.x firmware, then all switches in the stack (or
standalone) contain A1 CPUs. This is because 5.0.x.x can only run on A1 CPU switches.
3. If the firmware version is 5.1.x.x, then a CPU version line is displayed
CPU Version....................... XLP308H-A1
which shows the CPU version in the last two characters (either A1 or B1).
4. On a stack, run show version m where m is the unit number assigned to the stack member.
This will display the CPU version for that stack member. Run this command for each member.
If both A1 and B1 CPUs are among the switches you want to stack together, the only option is to
upgrade to firmware 5.1.x.x or later on all switches before stacking them. If all switches are A1 CPUs,
or if all switches are B1 CPUs, then they are ready to be stacked using any supported firmware. Just
remember that the B1 CPUs are only compatible with firmware 5.1.x.x or later. A1 CPUs are
compatible with all versions of PowerConnect 81xx firmware, including 5.0.x.x.
Note: Dell recommends that all PowerConnect switches are updated to the latest firmware.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F 5 Errors Downgrading Firmware Before attempting to downgrade firmware on a stack to version 5.0.x.x, run the four steps above to determine each stack members CPU version. Know that all CPUs in the stack must be version A1 for the stack to successfully downgrade to 5.0.x.x. Attempting to downgrade to 5.0.x.x on a stack containing B1 CPUs will result in the following errors on the console: L7_LOGF(L7_LOG_SEVERITY_ERROR, L7_BSP_COMPONENT_ID, Unit %d has a %s processor, which requires firmware revision 5.1 or later., unitIndex, cpuString); When trying to downgrade a standalone B1 unit to firmware 5.0.x.x, the following error is displayed to the console: This unit or members of the stack require revision 5.1 or later firmware. This level of firmware is also required when attaching these units to a stack. To avoid errors, upgrade all PowerConnect 8100 stacks and stand-alone switches to 5.1.x.x or later. Dell recommends running the latest firmware available for the switch. Find the latest firmware at http://support.dell.com. Note: Dell recommends that all PowerConnect switches are updated to the latest firmware.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F 6 Introduction Most Dell PowerConnect switches today include a stacking feature that allows multiple switches to operate as a single unit. These stacks include up to six Dell PowerConnect 8132/8132F/8164/8164F switches in any combination, use up to four links between stack members, and use any port type on the front panel to create these links A single switch in the stack (known as the Master switch) manages all the units in the stack and uses a single IP address, which allows the user to manage every port in the stack from this one address. This IP address is copied from the Master to the Standby when the Standby is created. If for any reason the Master fails and the Standby takes over as Master, the IP address of the stack remains the same, allowing continuous management of the stack. The new Master unit also continues to use the original Master unit’s MAC addresses, which helps to reduce disruptions to the network. When a failed Master re-joins the stack, it does so as a member (not a Master) unless a new Master has not had time to be elected. Note: Dell PowerConnect 8132, 8132F, 8164, and 8164F series switches can be mixed in any combination within a stack. This document provides an easy to use step-by-step guide on how to configure stacking for the Dell PowerConnect 8132 (Figure 1), PowerConnect 8132F (Figure 2), PowerConnect 8164 (Figure 3) and the PowerConnect 8164F (Figure 4). Dell PowerConnect 8132 Figure 1. Dell PowerConnect 8132F Figure 2. Dell PowerConnect 8164 Figure 3. Dell PowerConnect 8164F Figure 4. ACTLNK 2864 1753 18242220 17232119 10161412 9151311 2864 1753 10161412 9151311 18242220 17232119ACTLNK ACTLNK 2864 1753 18242220 17232119 10161412 9151311 12ACT LNK ACT LNK 26323028 25312927 42484644 41474543 34403836 33393735 ACTLNK 12ACT LNK ACT LNK 2864 1753 10161412 9151311 18242220 17232119 26323028 25312927 34403836 33393735 42484644 41474543
Stacking Dell PowerConnect Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F 7 Stacking and management An important advantage of stacking is that it provides a consolidated interface for management of multiple switches that are linked together. One switch acts as the Master, and the entire stack is managed through the management interface (Web, CLI, or SNMP) of the stack Master. 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. Additional stack members can immediately use existing configuration information such as routing and switching configurations, VLANs, ACLs, port profiles, and security certificates. Simplified firmware updates for stack members When switches are stacked, only the Master needs to be updated with new firmware. All members of the stack receive the firmware from the Master at the same time it is being updated, minimizing the administrator’s time used for updating firmware. Also, when a switch is added to a stack, if it is running a different backup version of firmware than the active version on the stack Master, the backup firmware on the new member is automatically updated to match the Master, the backup version of firmware on the new member is activated, and the new member is rebooted. Stacking and redundancy By connecting a cable from the last switch in a stack back to the first switch, the operator makes sure that a stack has the protection of redundant paths for control and data traffic, including support for Link Aggregation Group (LAGs) configured across multiple switches. This means that any single point of failure (a switch or a stack cable failure) does not affect the overall operation of the remaining stack elements. Nonstop forwarding on the stack The Nonstop Forwarding (NSF) feature allows the forwarding plane of stack units to continue to forward packets while the control and management planes restart as a result of a power failure, hardware failure, or software fault on the stack Master and allows the standby switch to quickly takeover as the Master. Hot add/delete and firmware synchronization Units can be added and removed to and from the stack without cycling the power on the stack. When adding a unit, the Stack Firmware Synchronization feature automatically synchronizes the firmware version with the version running on the stack Master. The synchronization operation may result in either an upgrade or a downgrade of firmware on the mismatched stack member. In addition, the running-config on the member is updated to match the Master switch. The startup-config on the standby and member switches is not updated to match the Master switch. The hardware configuration of every switch is updated to match the Master switch (unit number, slot configuration, stack member number, and so on). Meta-data considerations When creating a stack, the configuration information is meta-data that is part of the hardware configuration applied at boot time before the switch firmware is started (and before the startup configuration is read). The stack information shown in the startup and running configurations is simply
Stacking Dell PowerConnect Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F 8 copies of the stack configuration for the user’s knowledge. The actual stack information used by the switch is not that which is stored in the startup configuration. A stack member configuration is always present on stacking capable switches, so there always is a line in the configuration that says stack and a second line that says member even if there are no devices stacked. Since these are stack-capable devices, an un-stacked device is still considered a stack of one. Here is an example configuration of a device that is not stacked. console#show run !Current Configuration: !System Description PowerConnect 8164F, 5.0.0.0, Linux 2.6.27.47 !System Software Version 5.0.0.0 !Cut-through mode is configured as disabled ! configure slot 1/0 5 ! PowerConnect 8164F slot 1/1 8 ! Dell 10GBase-T Card stack member 1 4 ! PCT8164F exit interface out-of-band ip address 172.25.194.24 255.255.0.0 172.25.194.254 exit interface vlan 1 exit username admin password dec68e453164a2 privilege 15 encrypted line telnet enable authentication enableList exit snmp-server engineid local 800002a203001ec9ddad5b exit Notice there is only one member line in the configuration. If there were multiple members in the stack then there would be multiple member lines in the configuration, such as: stack member 1 1 ! PCT8164F member 2 1 ! PCT8164F member 3 1 ! PCT8132F Note: A single stack member configuration is always present on stack-capable switches even if they are not part of an actual stack. The single switch is considered a stack of one. How a Master is selected A Master is elected or re-elected based on the following considerations, in order: 1. The switch is currently the Master. 2. The switch has the higher MAC address.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F
9
3. A unit is selected as standby by the administrator, and a fail over action is manually initiated or
occurs due to a Master unit failure.
Note: The terms Master and Manager/Management Unit are often used interchangeably in
regards to stacking.
In most cases, a switch that is added to an existing stack becomes a stack member, and not the
Management Unit. When a switch is added to the stack, one of the following scenarios takes place
regarding the management status of the new switch:
If the switch has the Management Unit function enabled but another Master unit is already
active, then the switch changes its configured Management Unit value to disabled.
If the Management Unit function is unassigned and there is another Management Unit in
the system, then the switch changes its configured Management Unit value to disabled.
If the Management Unit function is enabled or unassigned and there is no other
Management Unit in the system, then the switch becomes Management Unit.
If the Management Unit function is disabled, the unit remains a non-Management Unit.
If the entire stack is powered OFF and ON again, the unit that was the Management Unit before the
reboot remains the Management Unit after the stack resumes operation.
A Unit number for the switch can be manually set. To avoid unit-number conflicts, one of the following
scenarios takes place when adding a new member to the stack:
If the switch has a unit number that is already in use, then the unit added to the stack
changes its configured unit number to the lowest unassigned unit number.
If the switch added does not have an assigned unit number, then the switch sets its
configured unit number to the lowest unassigned unit number.
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.
After the stack is created, the show switch command displays the roles of each switch.
console#show switch
Management Standby Preconfig Plugged-in Switch Code
SW Status Status Model ID Model ID Status Version
--- ---------- --------- ---------- ------------- ---------- ---------
1 Mgmt Sw PCT8164F PCT8164F OK 5.0.0.3
2 Stack Mbr Oper Stby PCT8132F PCT8132F OK 5.0.0.3
3 Stack Mbr PCT8132F PCT8132F OK 5.0.0.3
4 Stack Mbr PCT8164F PCT8164F OK 5.0.0.3
5 Stack Mbr PCT8164 PCT8164 OK 5.0.0.3
6 Stack Mbr PCT8164F PCT8164F OK 5.0.0.3
Stacking Dell PowerConnect Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F 10 Note that in this example Switch 1 is the Master (Mgmt Sw) and Switch 2 is the Standby (Oper Stby) ready to take over as Master in the event the Master fails. To find the same information from the Web UI go to System > Stack Management > Stack Summary. How to select a Master during initial stack setup After creating a stack it is easy to go into the settings on the Master and select any of the members to take its place as Master. The former Master becomes a regular stack member automatically. To select a particular physical unit to be Master during initial setup, simply boot it up completely before powering on any of the other switches. All subsequent members added to the stack will join as regular stack members. When using two or more switches to initially create a stack, the Master is chosen based on the highest MAC address. To find the MAC address of a switch, type show system from a CLI prompt: console#show system System Description: Dell Ethernet Switch System Up Time: 0 days, 00h:12m:53s Burned In MAC Address: A4BA.DB69.330B Or from the Web UI, go to the System > General > System Information page: