If you have fiber channel switches, (regardless of the vendor,) scratch the surface and underneath it’s probably a Brocade. (Unless it’s a Cisco Nexus then you are in the wrong place my friend, move along!) e.g an HP StorageWorks 8/8 SAN Switch (Yeah it’s a Brocade 6505), or an IBM SAN24B-4 Express Fabric Switch (you guessed it, Brocade).
If you need to get the serial number for them, here’s how.
Solution
SSH into the switch, and issue the following command;
[box]chassisshow[/box]
I need the Brocades Vendor Serial Number!
For ‘re-badged’ Brocades, some vendors, (HP for example), have a ‘Suppler Serial Number‘ also, you need to GUI into the switch manager to get that, (that means using a browser and having Java installed!) Warning: You will need to enter the switches IP or FQDN into the the ‘Safe’ list in the Java settings in the Control Panel or this will fail. Typically you then browse to http://{IP-Address}/switchExplorer_installed.html to then get access.
Go here;
1: Is the Brocade Serial Number.
2. Is the Supplier (Vendor) Serial Number.
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I was recently involved in deploying an HPe Synergy 12000 Frame. And the network connections from it were ‘a little unusual’ so I thought I’d document that here, to save anyone else the problems I had.
I was connecting to an HP/Aruba 5412 switch so my cables were all HP/Aruba (to be on the safe side).
What you can see (above) is the MPIO Cable (K2Q46A P/N 800867-001) fixed onto the left (and above boxed,) there is a QSFP (P/N 817040-B21.) Note: this can be used either as 4 x 10Gbe or 4 x 8GbFC). On the right you can see the cable ends in 4x Standard LC fibre connectors, so you will also need 4x 10GB SR SFP+ Modules (Aruba P/N J1950D) – shown bottom right.
So what does it do? (Apart from cost a fortune!) Well the QSFP connects at 40Gb and splits the traffic down into 4 x 10Gb
Cabling and Configuring MPIO QSFP
Connecting up is pretty straight forward, REMEMBER when you connect the 40GB QSFP to the Synergy it will light purple if its connected, and flash purple when it sees activity.
Connecting to the switch is also easy enough, (WARNING: All the ports need to be Trunked (HP) or Ether Channelled (Cisco,)) with LACP enabled. You don’t need to worry about configuring LACP on the Synergy, that’s handled automatically by the ‘Uplink set’.
So the back of the ‘Frame’ has two interconnect links (If you are from a switch background think of these like stacking cables). And two MPIO uplink cables.
HPe/Aruba Switch Config For MPIO
As previously stated, the switch I’m using is an Aruba 5412, with two 8 Port 1Gb/10Gb modules (J9993-A). Here’s the relevant switch config;
[box]
Firstly give the interfaces a sensible name;
!
interface A2
name "Trunk Link to Synergy VC1 Port Q1"
exit
interface A3
name "Trunk Link to Synergy VC1 Port Q1"
exit
interface A4
name "Trunk Link to Synergy VC1 Port Q1"
exit
interface A5
name "Trunk Link to Synergy VC1 Port Q1"
exit
!
interface B2
name "Trunk Link to Synergy VC2 Port Q1"
exit
interface B3
name "Trunk Link to Synergy VC2 Port Q1"
exit
interface B4
name "Trunk Link to Synergy VC2 Port Q1"
exit
interface B5
name "Trunk Link to Synergy VC2 Port Q1"
exit
!
Show any 'already configured' Trunk links with a 'show trunk' commandIn my case two existed, (Trk1 and Trk2). So I used Trk3;
!
trunk A2-A5,B2-B5 Trk3 LACP
!
Now UNTAG vlan 1 (assuming that's your default VLAN) And TAG and VLANS that need to be used in the Synergy Deployment. (Note on an HP switch simply add
the Trk3 to the existing settings like so;
!
vlan1
untagged A6-A8,B6-B8,E1-E24,F1-F24,G3-G12,H3-H12,Trk1-Trk3
!
vlan 100
tagged Trk1-Trk3
exit
vlan 101
tagged Trk1-Trk3
exit
vlan 102
tagged Trk1-Trk3
exit
vlan 103
tagged Trk1-Trk3
exit
etc.
[/box]
Cisco Switch Config For MPIO
If you have a Cisco Switch then instead of ‘Trunking’ you will be ‘Ether Channelling’ for a more detailed explanation see the following post
The process is, you add Networks, then collect Networks together in Network Sets, Then you create Logical Interconnect Groups. Part of creating a Logical Interconnect Groups, involves creating an Uplink Set, which consists of both your Networks, and the The Uplink ports.
Note: A Network Set is used by a Server Profile, (or a Server Profile Template).
Create Networks
One View > Networking > Networks > Create Network
Create Network Sets
One View > Networking > Networks Sets > Create Network Set > Give it a name > Add Networks > Create.
Create Logical Interconnect Group
One View > Networking > Logical Interconnect Group > Create Logical Interconnect Group > Give it a name > Select the correct Interconnect Bay Set (see diagram above) > Select Interconnects > Add Uplink Set.
Give the set a name > Select the Type > Add in the Networks > Add in the Uplinks > Create.
Note: You only need to add in ALL the LOGICAL interfaces i.e. Q1:1, Q1:2,Q1:3,Q1:4 for EACH Interconnect module. .
After a few minutes if you look under One View > Networking > Logical Interconnects > You will see one listed that has the name of your Logical Interconnect group (with a divide symbol on the end!) Make sure ALL the logical uplinks are connected. (If not you will see LACP errors on the switch).
Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links
I noticed some shiny Aruba switches on the bench today, they were for a job my colleague is working on. (Note: Each switch in a stack should be the same model, so these will need two stacks!)
I work on the occasional HP/Aruba core switch, but it’s been a while since I did any work on distribution switches like these. The first thing I learned, was there’s no dedicated stacking cable for them. They simply use a 10Gb (Twinax / DAC) cable. Which I suppose is pretty straight forward, but it means you lose an SFP+ port (which is a bit pants).*
*Note: You can stack with 1GB cables, but you can’t mix and match!
So I said “Give me a shoult when you stack them and I’ll take a nosey!”
Solution
In the ‘land of Aruba’ this is called creating a VSF (Virtual Switching Fabric). As you can see from the photo, these are 2930F Switches, and you can stack up to four switches in a VSF. The same stacking method is used on the 5400R (v3) and 5412, where you can link two 5400R or 5412’s).
Also this method is NOT to be confused with ‘Fabric Stacking’ which is available on the 2920,2930M,3800,3810M models, (that is more like Cisco FlexStack, with a dedicated 100Gb stack cable).
So, assuming you have your switch new and fresh, connect in with your console cable, and dedicate a port to use for VSF.
[box]
Aruba-2930F-24G-PoEP-4SFPP# conf t
Aruba-2930F-24G-PoEP-4SFPP(config)# vsf member 1 link 1 ethernet 25
All configuration on this port has been removed and port is placed in VSF mode.
[/box]
Then place the switch into a VSF domain
[box]
Aruba-2930F-24G-PoEP-4SFPP(config)# vsf enable domain 1
This will save the current configuration and reboot the switch.
[/box]
The switch will ask for a reboot, let it do so.
Repeat the procedure on the second switch, (but this will be member 2).
[box]
Aruba-2930F-24G-PoEP-4SFPP# conf t
Aruba-2930F-24G-PoEP-4SFPP(config)# vsf member 1 link 1 ethernet 25
All configuration on this port has been removed and port is placed in VSF mode.
Aruba-2930F-24G-PoEP-4SFPP(config)# vsf enable domain 1
This will save the current configuration and reboot the switch.
[/box]
Once again let the switch reboot.
Post reboot you will see the ports are ‘re-numbered’ 1/{port-number} on vsf member 1, 2/{port-number} on vsf member 2 etc.
[box]
Aruba-2930F-24G-PoEP-4SFPP# show interfaces
Status and Counters - Port Counters
Flow Bcast
Port Total Bytes Total Frames Errors Rx Drops Tx Ctrl Limit
------------ -------------- -------------- --------- --------- ---- -----
1/1 0 0 0 0 off 0
1/2 0 0 0 0 off 0
1/3 0 0 0 0 off 0
1/4 0 0 0 0 off 0
<---------------Output Removed For The Sake Of Brevity-------------->
1/10 0 0 0 0 off 0
1/11 0 0 0 0 off 0
1/12 0 0 0 0 off 0
1/13 0 0 0 0 off 0
<---------------Output Removed For The Sake Of Brevity-------------->
1/19 0 0 0 0 off 0
1/20 0 0 0 0 off 0
1/21 0 0 0 0 off 0
1/25 1,496,823,949 23,354,845 0 0 off 0
<---------------Output Removed For The Sake Of Brevity-------------->
2/1 0 0 0 0 off 0
2/2 0 0 0 0 off 0
2/3 0 0 0 0 off 0
2/4 0 0 0 0 off 0
<---------------Output Removed For The Sake Of Brevity-------------->
2/22 0 0 0 0 off 0
2/23 0 0 0 0 off 0
2/24 0 0 0 0 off 0
2/25 1,536,016,322 23,966,915 0 0 off 0
2/26 0 0 0 0 off 0
2/27 0 0 0 0 off 0
2/28 0 0 0 0 off 0
[/box]
If you need to Stack 3 or 4 Switches then you need to add a second link, and create a ring;
i.e.
Switch 2 (2nd link now to switch 3) vsf member 2 link 2 ethernet 26
Switch 3 (1st link to switch 2 ) vsf member 2 link 1 ethernet 25
Switch 3 (2nd link to switch 4 ) vsf member 2 link 2 ethernet 26
Switch 4 (1st link to switch 3 ) vsf member 4 link 1 ethernet 25
Switch 4 (2nd link to switch 1 ) vsf member 4 link 2 ethernet 26
Useful Aruba VSF Commands
show vsf or show vsf detail : Shows the list of provisioned chassis members.
show vsf link or show vsf link detail : Shows the state of vsf links for all members.
show vsf lldp-mad status : Shows LLDP MAD (Multi-Active Detection).
show vsftrunk-designated-forwarder : Shows designated forwarders for each trunk.
Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links
I was changing a clients LAN subnet this week, (dropping the mask from /24 to /16). When I attempted to change the management IP on the clients HP switches this happened;
[box]
HP2510-24G(config)# vlan 1
HP2510-24G(vlan-1)# ip address 10.0.0.250 255.255.0.0The IP address (or subnet) 10.0.0.250/16 already exists.
HP2510-24G(vlan-1)#
[/box]
At first I though the switch was complaining because the IP was remaining the same, I was just changing the mask, (which is a bit bobbins, but there you go). Turns out this is normal behaviour? Yes I could have got my console cable out, and walked to the comms room and done this;
[box]
HP2510-24G(config)# vlan 1
HP2510-24G(config)#no ip address 10.0.0.250 255.255.255.0
HP2510-24G(vlan-1)# ip address 10.0.0.250 255.255.0.0
HP2510-24G(vlan-1)#
[/box]
But that would mean getting off my lazy backside, and what if I was hundred of miles from the switch?
Solution
To solve the problem you need to enter the HP switch menu system, this will let you change the IP on the fly. Obviously if you change the IP, make sure you can connect to it’s old, (and new), IPs or you will lose remote management.
From CLI type ‘menu’ {Enter}, you may be asked if you want to save the config. Choose ‘Switch Configuration’.
IP Configuration.
Edit.
Use the cursor keys and navigate to the IP/Subnet mask, and change accordingly > {Enter}
Select Save > Reconnect to the new IP address.
Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links
After not touching one for a couple of years, I was back on HP switches recently, and I had to map out a clients switches. Now I could have used some software, but they didn’t have SNMP enabled so, I had to ‘re acquaint’ myself with LLDP.
For a More Detailed LLDP View of attached devices.
Note: This command will NOT show up in the help menu!
[box]
HP-Switch-1# show lldp info remote all
LLDP Remote Device Information Detail
Local Port : 10
ChassisType : local
ChassisId : Cisco1.petenetlive.com
PortType : local
PortId : GigabitEthernet0/15
SysName :
System Descr : Cisco IOS Software, C2960 Software (C2960-LANBASE-M), Ver...
PortDescr :
System Capabilities Supported : bridge
System Capabilities Enabled : bridge
Remote Management Address
Type : ipv4
Address : 111.222.111.222
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Local Port : 10
ChassisType : mac-address
ChassisId : 00 1c f6 c8 55 8f
PortType : inte...
PortId : || PeteNet || 10Mb ||...
SysName : Cisco1.petenetlive.com
System Descr : Cisco IOS Software, C2960 Software (C2960-LANBASE-M), Ver...
PortDescr : GigabitEthernet0/15
System Capabilities Supported : bridge, router
System Capabilities Enabled :
Remote Management Address
Type : ipv4
Address : 111.222.111.222
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Local Port : 13
ChassisType : local
ChassisId : Cisco1.petenetlive.com
PortType : local
PortId : GigabitEthernet0/18
SysName :
System Descr : Cisco IOS Software, C2960 Software (C2960-LANBASE-M), Ver...
PortDescr :
System Capabilities Supported : bridge
System Capabilities Enabled : bridge
Remote Management Address
Type : ipv4
Address : 111.222.111.222
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Local Port : 13
ChassisType : mac-address
ChassisId : 00 1c f6 c8 55 92
PortType : inte...
PortId : || PeteNet || Previou...
SysName : Cisco1.petenetlive.com
System Descr : Cisco IOS Software, C2960 Software (C2960-LANBASE-M), Ver...
PortDescr : GigabitEthernet0/18
System Capabilities Supported : bridge, router
System Capabilities Enabled :
Remote Management Address
Type : ipv4
Address : 111.222.111.222
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Local Port : 23
ChassisType : mac-address
ChassisId : c0 91 34 dd 3b c0
PortType : local
PortId : 23
SysName : HP-Switch-2
System Descr : HP J9145A 2910al-24G Switch, revision W.15.13.0014, ROM W...
PortDescr : 23
System Capabilities Supported : bridge, router
System Capabilities Enabled : bridge, router
Remote Management Address
Type : ipv4
Address : 192.168.1.221
Poe Plus Information Detail
Poe Device Type : Type2 PSE
Power Source : Unknown
Power Priority : Unknown
Requested Power Value : 0 Watts
Actual Power Value : 0 Watts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Local Port : 24
ChassisType : mac-address
ChassisId : c0 91 34 dd 3b c0
PortType : local
PortId : 24
SysName : HP-Switch-2
System Descr : HP J9145A 2910al-24G Switch, revision W.15.13.0014, ROM W...
PortDescr : 24
System Capabilities Supported : bridge, router
System Capabilities Enabled : bridge, router
Remote Management Address
Type : ipv4
Address : 192.168.1.221
Poe Plus Information Detail
Poe Device Type : Type2 PSE
Power Source : Unknown
Power Priority : Unknown
Requested Power Value : 0 Watts
Actual Power Value : 0 Watts
[/box]
To find what Port an IP address is on
First ping the IP address, to make sure that the switch has the MAC address you are looking at, in its ARP cache.
[box]
HP-Switch-1# ping 192.168.251.2
192.168.251.2 is alive, time = 3 ms
[/box]
Then look for it in the ARP cache;
[box]
HP-Switch-1# show arp
IP ARP table
IP Address MAC Address Type Port
--------------- ----------------- ------- ----
192.168.251.1 e8b748-c757b0 dynamic 13
192.168.251.2 005056-a61c1c dynamic 5 << It’s on port 5
192.168.251.5 005056-a606d9 dynamic 7
[/box]
Or if you already know its MAC address;
[box]
HP-Switch-1# show mac-address 005056-a61c1c
Status and Counters - Address Table - 005056-a61c1c
Port
-------
5
[/box]
Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links
I was lending a hand this week, while my colleague swapped out a lot of switches. I don’t usually deploy a large number of HP switches, so I was surprised when we installed a chassis switch and after patching the fiber links, the Cisco Catalyst switches all got upset and we lost three out of four ping packets.
I (wrongly) assumed that STP would be enabled, so I wandered back and pulled the second fiber link. I knew from conversations I’d had before, that HP call having multiple uplinks between the same switch, to increase throughput “Trunking”. (Note: For people like me, who think that switch trunks are links for carrying multiple VLAN traffic. In “HP Land” trunking means aggregating switch uplinks).
Solution
Note: Up to four uplinks can be aggregated into one trunk.
Option 1 Configure a Trunk via Telnet/Console Cable
1. Connect to the switch either by Telnet or via the console cable > Log in > type menu {Enter} > The Switch menu will load > Select “2. Switch Configuration…”.
2. Port/Trunk Settings.
3. Press {Enter} > Edit >Scroll to the first port you want to add to the trunk > Use the arrow keys to navigate to the “Group” column > Press {Space} > Select the first unused trunk > Arrow to the “Type” column > Change to “Trunk” > Press Enter > Save.
4. Repeat to add the additional “Links”, then configure the mirror image on the switch at the other end.
Option 2 Configure a Trunk via the Web / GUI Console
1. Log into the wen console > Interface >Port Info/Config > Select the first link you want to trunk > Change.
2. Set the Trunk Type to “Trunk” > Change the Trunk Group to the next available trunk > Save.
3. Repeat to add the additional “Links”, then configure the mirror image on the switch at the other end.
Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links
For such a ‘baby’ switch this has a LOT of features, I had to lock down the speed and duplex settings on one of the switch ports today. The main details you will be looking for are,
Default IP address = 192.168.2.10
Default Password = blank
Solution
1. Put yourself on the same network: Windows Key+R > ncpa.cpl {enter} > Right click your network connection > Properties > Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IP) > properties > Set yout IP to 192.168.2.11 and set the subnet mask to 255.255.255.0 > OK > OK.
2. Open a web browser and navigate to http://192.186.2.10 log in with a blank password.
3. To Change the Switches IP: Setup Network
4. To change Speed/Duplex Settings: Switching > Port Configuration
5. To change the password: Maintenance > Password Manager.
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