The Dell Force10 MXL 10/40Gb switch is the latest Dell switch with this feature. Up to six Dell Force10 MXL switches can be connected in a single stack using QSFP+ (40Gb) ports.
Master role but instead take the next available role as Standy or Member. Stacking LAG When multiple links between stack members are used, the Dell Force10 MXL automatically bundles them into a single logical link, or LAG, providing higher stacking bandwidth and redundancy. The stacking LAG is established automatically without user configuration once all ports used in the LAG are set in stacking mode.
Stacking Dell Force10 MXL 10/40G Switches Another way to completely wipe out all configurations and return to factory defaults is to erase the meta-data (NVRAM) and delete the startup configuration by following the instructions in Restoring factory defaults below. Restoring factory defaults Usually a standalone MXL can be set to factory defaults simply by deleting the startup configuration and reloading the switch (Step 2).
Provisioning can be used to help configure a stack or a stand-alone system. With minimum effort, BMP can obtain IP address, running configuration and boot image information from a DHCP server. For more information regarding how to setup BMP, consult the Dell Force10 MXL User Guide. Identifying physical units and ports in a stack The Master will always have a blue LED illuminating steadily (not flashing).
Stacking Dell Force10 MXL 10/40G Switches Port numbering When installed in a PowerEdge™ M1000e Enclosure, the MXL 10/40GbE external switch ports are numbered 33 to 56 from the bottom to the top of the switch (ports 1-32 are internal 10G ports): •...
Stacking Dell Force10 MXL 10/40G Switches Combining split 10GbE SFP+ ports into a single 40GbE QSFP+ port The MXL 10/40GbE Switch supports splitting each 40GbE port on the base module or a 2-Port 40GbE QSFP+ expansion module into eight 10GbE SFP+ ports using a breakout cable. However, ports must be combined into single 40Gbe QSFP+ ports to operate in Stacking mode.
Stacking Dell Force10 MXL 10/40G Switches listed here when in port mode. If there is no “stack-unit” listing for the first port number, then the ports are not split and are running at 40GbE. 2. interface fortyGigE 0/33 interface TenGigabitEthernet 0/41 Each individual port mode is listed further down in the configuration.
QSFP+ two 40GbE port expansion for the MXL Dell Force10 MXL modular blade switches may only be stacked using QSFP+ ports in 40GbE port mode. QSFP+ built-in ports are set to 40Gb by default while expansion module QSFP+ ports are set to 10Gb...
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The only limitation is six MXL devices. The follow lists possible scenarios: Stacking two to six Dell Force10 MXL switches using any combination of slots A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2 in a single chassis. ...
The Dell M1000e Server Chassis includes a management console port on the CMC that allows allows management of each module from a single serial connection to the chassis. For more information, see the Dell Blade Server CMC User's Guide at http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/software/smdrac3/cmc/index.htm.
Connecting additional cables in parallel will increase the stacking bandwidth. Dell recommends that you connect the stack in a ring topology for resiliency and also that you use the same number of ports between peers in the stack.
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Stacking Dell Force10 MXL 10/40G Switches In this example, stack-groups 0 and 1 correspond to the base MXL interfaces 33 and 37. Stack-groups 4 and 5 correspond to the two 40G QSFP+ expansion module interfaces inserted in slot 1. Since stacking MXL switches does not use 10Gig Interfaces, there are no stack-groups associated with the SFP+ or 10GbaseT port that may be installed.
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Stacking Dell Force10 MXL 10/40G Switches Maximum stack-group per unit A maximum of 4 stack-groups per unit can be configured. In a ring topology, that would be 2 stack- groups in each direction, i.e 80Gbps stacking bandwidth. In a two unit stack, a maximum of 4 stack- groups between the two units (i.e 160Gbps stacking bandwidth) is allowed.
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Stacking Dell Force10 MXL 10/40G Switches 4 Member online MXL-10/40GbE MXL-10/40GbE 8.3.16.0E0 56 5 Member online MXL-10/40GbE MXL-10/40GbE 8.3.16.0E0 56 Issue show system stack-port status command to see the topology and link status for each port. FTOS#show system stack-port status...
Stacking Dell Force10 MXL 10/40G Switches Certain configuration changes on the unit such as “fanout” and “stack-groups” may require saving and reloading the entire stack. Refer to the MXL User Guide for more information on provisioning. Adding new members to an existing stack Adding a new member into an existing stack is achieved with the same simple tasks used during the initial stack setup.
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Stacking Dell Force10 MXL 10/40G Switches 1. Find the version of firmware each stack member is currently running. FTOS#show system brief Stack MAC : 00:1e:c9:cc:bb:1b Reload Type : normal-reload [Next boot : normal-reload] -- Stack Info -- Unit UnitType Status...
Stacking Dell Force10 MXL 10/40G Switches Un-stacking (removing member units) Minimizing traffic flow interruptions is always the primary goal when removing member units from a stack. Four possible scenarios pertaining to unstacking or removing a member unit are: 1. Intentionally reducing the size of a ring topology stack 2.
Stacking Dell Force10 MXL 10/40G Switches Proceed to copy the file [confirm yes/no]: yes 9582 bytes successfully copied Synchronizing data to peer Stack-unit !!!! ..FTOS#reload Once the reload has completed, unplug stacking cables from all ports where stacking was removed.
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Stacking Dell Force10 MXL 10/40G Switches For more information on stacking the Dell Force10 MXL, please refer to the Stacking chapter of the Dell Force10 MXL User Guide available at http://www.dell.com/manuals.
Stacking Dell Force10 MXL 10/40G Switches Appendix C - Network switch versions Version information for the network switches used in creating this document are as follows: Network switch Dell Force10 XML Software version 8.3.16.0, E8.3.16.163, E8.3.16.0E0...