Cisco MDS 9396S User manual

Connecting the Cisco MDS 9396S Switch
The Cisco MDS 9396S switch provides the following types of ports:
• Console port—An RS-232 port that you can use to create a local management connection.
• Management port—A 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet port to access and manage the switch by IP address,
such as through the CLI or Fabric Manager.
• Fibre Channel ports—Fibre Channel ports that you can use to connect to the SAN, or for in-band
management.
• USB port—USB port that you can use for configuration file backups, log dumps, report captures, etc.
This chapter describes how to connect the various components of the Cisco MDS 9396S switch.
•Preparing for Network Connections, on page 1
•Connecting the Console Port, on page 1
•Connecting the Management Port, on page 4
•Connecting to a Fibre Channel Port, on page 4
Preparing for Network Connections
When preparing your site for network connections to the Cisco MDS 9396S switch, consider the following
for each type of interface:
• Cabling required for each interface type
• Distance limitations for each signal type
• Additional interface equipment needed
Before installing the component, have all additional external equipment and cables available.
Connecting the Console Port
This section describes how to connect the RS-232 console port to a PC. The console port allows you to perform
the following functions:
• Configure the switch from the CLI.
Connecting the Cisco MDS 9396S Switch
1

• Monitor network statistics and errors.
• Configure SNMP agent parameters.
• Download software updates to the switch or distribute software images residing in flash memory to
attached devices.
The console port is located on the front panel.
Figure 1: Connecting the Console Cable
Serial console port1
Connecting the Cisco MDS 9396S Switch
2
Connecting the Cisco MDS 9396S Switch
Connecting the Console Port

Connecting the Console Port to a PC
You can connect the console port to a PC serial port for local administrative access to the Cisco MDS 9396S
switch.
The PC must support VT100 terminal emulation. The terminal emulation software—frequently a PC application
such as HyperTerminal Plus—makes communication between the Cisco MDS 9396S switch and your PC
possible during setup and configuration.
Note
To connect the console port to a PC, follow these steps:
Step 1 Configure the baud rate and character format of the PC terminal emulation program to match the following management
port default characteristics:
• 9600 baud
• 8 data bits
• 1 stop bit
• No parity
Step 2 Connect the supplied RJ-45 to DB-9 female adapter or RJ-45 to DB-25 female adapter (depending on your PC connection)
to the PC serial port.
Step 3 Connect one end of the supplied console cable (a rollover RJ-45 to RJ-45 cable) to the console port. Connect the other
end to the RJ-45 to DB-9 (or RJ-45 to DB-25) adapter at the PC serial port.
Connecting a Modem to a Console Port
Do not connect the console port to a modem while the switch is booting. Connect the console port to a modem
either before powering the switch on or after the switch has completed the boot process.
Caution
To connect the console port to a modem before the switch is powered on, follow these steps:
Step 1 Connect the supplied console cable (a rollover RJ-45 to RJ-45 cable) to the console port.
Step 2 Connect the other end of the console cable to the supplied RJ-45 to DB-25 adapter.
Step 3 Connect the RJ-45-to-DB-25 adapter to the DB-25 port on the modem.
Step 4 Power on the switch. The switch boots automatically, and the following default console port characteristics are applied
to the modem connection:
• 9600 baud
• 8 data bits
• 1 stop bit
Connecting the Cisco MDS 9396S Switch
3
Connecting the Cisco MDS 9396S Switch
Connecting the Console Port to a PC

• No parity
• Default initialization string (ATE0Q1&D2&C1S0=1\015) if previously configured
For instructions on how to change these settings, see the Cisco Fabric Manager Fundamentals Configuration
Guide for instructions on how to change these settings.
Note
To connect the console port to a modem after the switch is powered on, follow these steps:
Step 1 Ensure that the system has completed booting and the system image is running.
Step 2 Connect the supplied console cable (a rollover RJ-45 to RJ-45 cable) to the console port.
Step 3 Connect the other end of the console cable to the supplied RJ-45 to DB-25 adapter.
Step 4 Connect the RJ-45-to-DB-25 adapter to the DB-25 port on the modem.
Step 5 Initialize and configure the modem as specified in the Cisco Fabric Manager Fundamentals Configuration Guide and the
Cisco NX-OS Fundamentals Configuration Guide.
Connecting the Management Port
The autosensing 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet management port is located on the left side of the front panel
(labeled 10/100/1000 MGMT), to the right of the Console port. This port is used for out-of-band management
of the Cisco MDS 9396S switch.
Use a modular, RJ-45, straight-through UTP cable to connect the 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet management
port to external hubs and switches. To connect to a router, use a crossover cable.
Connecting to a Fibre Channel Port
The Fibre Channel ports are compatible with LC-type fiber-optic SFP transceivers and cables (see the Removing
and Installing Cables into SFP Transceivers section). You can use these ports to connect to the SAN or for
in-band management. For information about configuring the switch for in-band management, see the Cisco
Fabric Manager Fundamentals Configuration Guide and the Cisco NX-OS Fundamentals Configuration Guide.
The Cisco MDS 9396S switch supports both Fibre Channel and Gigabit Ethernet protocols for SFP transceivers.
Each transceiver must match the transceiver on the other end of the cable, and the cable must not exceed the
stipulated cable length for reliable communications. SFP transceivers can be ordered separately or with the
Cisco MDS 9396S switch.
Class 1 laser product. Statement 1008
Warning
Invisible laser radiation may be emitted from disconnected fibers or connectors. Do not stare into beams
or view directly with optical instruments. Statement 1051
Warning
Connecting the Cisco MDS 9396S Switch
4
Connecting the Cisco MDS 9396S Switch

Wear an ESD wrist strap connected to the chassis when handling transceivers. Keep optical connectors covered
when not in use, and do not touch connector ends. The fiber-optic connectors must be free of dust, oil, and
other contaminants.
Note
Removing and Installing SFP Transceivers
Removing and installing an SFP transceiver can shorten its useful life. Do not remove and insert SFP
transceivers more often than is absolutely necessary. We recommend disconnecting cables before installing
or removing SFP transceivers to prevent damage to the cable or transceiver.
Warning
Use only Cisco SFP transceivers on the Cisco MDS 9396S switch. Each Cisco SFP transceiver is encoded
with model information that enables the switch to verify that the SFP transceiver meets the requirements for
the switch.
Note
The Cisco MDS 9396S switch supports SFP transceivers with the following two types of latching devices:
• Mylar tab latch
• Bale-clasp latch
Figure 2: SFP Transceiver with Mylar Tab Latch
Figure 3: SFP Transceiver with Bale-Clasp Latch
Installing an SFP Transceiver
To install an SFP transceiver, follow these steps:
Step 1 Attach an ESD-preventive wrist strap and follow its instructions for use.
Connecting the Cisco MDS 9396S Switch
5
Connecting the Cisco MDS 9396S Switch
Removing and Installing SFP Transceivers

If the transceiver does not install easily, ensure it is correctly oriented and the tab or clasp are in the correct
position before continuing.
Caution
Step 2 Remove the dust cover from the port cage.
Step 3 Remove the dust cover from the port end of the transceiver.
Step 4 Insert the transceiver into the port:
• If the transceiver has a mylar tab latch, orient the transceiver with the tab on the bottom, and then gently insert the
transceiver into the port until it clicks into place.
• If the transceiver has a bale-clasp latch, orient the transceiver with the bale clasp on the bottom, close the bale clasp
by pushing it up and over the transceiver, and then gently insert the transceiver into the port until it clicks into place.
Step 5 Insert or leave the dust plug in the cable end of the transceiver if a cable is not being installed in the transceiver.
Removing an SFP Transceiver
To remove an SFP transceiver, follow these steps:
Step 1 Attach an ESD-preventive wrist strap and follow its instructions for use.
Step 2 Perform these steps if cable is installed in the transceiver:
a. Record the cable and port connections for later reference.
b. Press the release latch on the cable, grasp the connector near the connection point, and gently pull the connector from
the transceiver.
c. Insert a dust plug into the connector on the cable.
d. Insert a dust plug into the cable end of the transceiver.
If the transceiver does not remove easily in the next step, push the transceiver all the way back in and then
ensure that the latch is in the correct position before continuing.
Tip
Step 3 Remove the transceiver from the port:
• If the transceiver has a mylar tab latch, gently pull the tab straight out (do not twist), and then pull the transceiver
out of the port.
• If the transceiver has a bale-clasp latch, open the clasp by pressing it downwards, and then pull the transceiver out
of the port.
Step 4 Insert a dust cover into the port end of the transceiver and place the transceiver on an antistatic mat or into a static shielding
bag if you plan to return it to the factory.
Step 5 Protect the optical cage by inserting a clean cover if another transceiver is not being installed.
Connecting the Cisco MDS 9396S Switch
6
Connecting the Cisco MDS 9396S Switch
Removing an SFP Transceiver

Removing and Installing Cables into SFP Transceivers
To prevent damage to the fiber-optic cables, do not place more tension on them than the rated limit and do
not bend to a radius of less than one inch if there is no tension in the cable, or two inches if there is tension
in the cable.
Caution
Installing a Cable into an SFP Transceiver
To prevent possible damage to the cable or transceiver, install the transceiver in the port before installing the
cable in the transceiver.
Caution
To install a cable into a transceiver, follow these steps:
Step 1 Attach an ESD-preventive wrist strap and follow its instructions for use.
Step 2 Remove the dust cover from the connector on the cable.
Step 3 Remove the dust cover from the cable end of the transceiver.
Step 4 Align the cable connector with the transceiver and insert the connector into the transceiver until it clicks into place.
Figure 4: Connecting the LC-Type Cable to a Fibre Channel Port
If the cable does not install easily, ensure it is correctly oriented before continuing.
Caution
For instructions on verifying connectivity, see the Cisco Fabric Manager Fundamentals Configuration Guide and the
Cisco NX-OS Fundamentals Configuration Guide.
Removing a Cable from an SFP Transceiver
When pulling a cable from a transceiver, grip the body of the connector. Do not pull on the jacket sleeve,
because this can compromise the fiber-optic termination in the connector.
Caution
Connecting the Cisco MDS 9396S Switch
7
Connecting the Cisco MDS 9396S Switch
Removing and Installing Cables into SFP Transceivers

If the cable does not remove easily, ensure that any latch present on the cable has been released before
continuing.
Caution
To remove the cable, follow these steps:
Step 1 Attach an ESD-preventive wrist strap and follow its instructions for use.
Step 2 Press the release latch on the cable, grasp the connector near the connection point, and gently pull the connector from
the transceiver.
Step 3 Insert a dust plug into the cable end of the transceiver.
Step 4 Insert a dust plug onto the end of the cable.
Maintaining SFP Transceivers and Fiber-Optic Cables
SFP transceivers and fiber-optic cables must be kept clean and dust-free to maintain high signal accuracy and
prevent damage to the connectors. Attenuation (loss of light) is increased by contamination, and it should be
kept below 0.35 dB.
Follow these maintenance guidelines:
• SFP transceivers are static sensitive. To prevent ESD damage, wear an ESD-preventive wrist strap that
is connected to the chassis.
• Do not remove and insert a transceiver more often than necessary. Repeated removals and insertions can
shorten its useful life.
• Keep all optical connections covered when not in use. If they become dusty, clean before using to prevent
dust from scratching the fiber-optic cable ends.
• Do not touch ends of connectors. This prevents fingerprints and other contamination of the connectors.
• Clean regularly; the required frequency of cleaning depends upon the environment. In addition, clean
connectors if they are exposed to dust or accidentally touched. Both wet and dry cleaning techniques can
be effective; refer to your site’s fibre-optic connection cleaning procedures.
• Inspect routinely for dust and damage. If damage is suspected, clean and then inspect fiber ends under
a microscope to determine if damage has occurred.
Connecting the Cisco MDS 9396S Switch
8
Connecting the Cisco MDS 9396S Switch
Maintaining SFP Transceivers and Fiber-Optic Cables