Cisco Nexus 9236C Quick start guide

Connecting the Switch to the Network
•Setting Up the Management Interface, on page 1
•Connecting to Host Servers, on page 1
•Guidelines for Connecting Ports, on page 2
•Maintaining Transceivers and Optical Cables, on page 4
Setting Up the Management Interface
The management port (MGMT ETH) provides out-of-band management, which enables you to use the
command-line interface (CLI) to manage the switch by its IP address. This port uses a 10/100/1000 Ethernet
connection with an RJ-45 interface.
Before you begin
The switch must be powered on.
Step 1 Connect the RJ-45, UTP cable to the MGMT ETH port on the switch.
Step 2 Connect the other end of the cable to a 10/100/1000 Ethernet port on a network device.
What to do next
You are ready to connect the interface ports on each of the line cards to the network.
Connecting to Host Servers
The switch has 36 ports that connect to host servers. You can configure each of these ports for 100-, 40-, 25-,
10-, or 1-Gigabit speeds as follows:
• For 100 Gigabits per second, use QSFP28 transceivers on both ends of each optical cable.
• For 40 Gigabits per second, use QSFP+ transceivers on both ends of each optical cable.
• For 25 Gigabits per second, you can do either of the following:
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• Use a breakout cable with a QSFP28 transceiver on one end and four SFP25 transceivers on the
other ends. To configure one or more ports to use this cable, use the interface breakout module
module_numberportlow_port_number[-high_port_number]map25g-4xcommand. For the Cisco
Nexus 9236C switch, use 1 for the module_number. If you are configuring only one port, use the
port number in place of low_port_number. If you are configuring a range of ports, specify the port
numbers from low to high, such as port 2-15.
You can use a breakout cable that is up to 9.8 feet (3 meters) in length.
Note
•Use a CVR-2QSFP28-8SFP adapter for each 100-Gigabit port to operate at 25-Gigabits and configure
the port or range of ports to operate at 25-Gigabits by using the interface breakout module
module_number port low_port_number[-high_port_number]map 25g command. For the Cisco
Nexus 9236C switch, use 1 for the module_number. If you are configuring only one port, use the
port number in place of low_port_number. If you are configuring a range of ports, specify the port
numbers from low to high, such as port 2-15.
• For 10-Gigabit connectivity, you can do one of the following:
• Use a QSFP-to-SFP adapter, such as the CVR-QSFP-SFP10G adapter, so that you can connect
SFP+ or SFP transceivers to the QSFP28/QSFP+ ports. The 10-Gigabit speed is automatically set
up through the adapter connection.
• Use a breakout cable with a QSFP+ transceiver on the switch end and four SFP+ transceivers on
the other cable ends. To configure one or more ports to use this cable, use the interface breakout
module module_number port low_port_number[-high_port_number]map 10g-4x command. For
the Cisco Nexus 9236C switch, use 1 for the module_number. If you are configuring only one port,
use the port number in place of low_port_number. If you are configuring a range of ports, specify
the port numbers from low to high, such as port 2-15.
To determine which transceivers and cables are supported by this switch, see
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/interfaces-modules/transceiver-modules/products-device-support-tables-list.html.
To see the transceiver specifications and installation information, see
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/interfaces-modules/transceiver-modules/products-installation-guides-list.html.
Guidelines for Connecting Ports
You can use 100-Gigabit Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable 28 (QSFP28) or 40-Gigabit QSFP+ transceivers
for connections to other network devices using speeds of 100, 40, 25, or 10 Gigabits per second (you can use
breakout cables for 25- and 10-Gigabit connections).
For information about the transceivers currently being used with the switch, use the show inventory all
command.
Prevent damage to the fiber-optic cables that can separate from their cables. Keep the transceivers disconnected
from their fiber-optic cables when installing the transceiver in the line card. Before removing such a transceiver
from the switch, remove the cable from the transceiver.
To maximize the effectiveness and life of your transceivers and optical cables, do the following:
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Connecting the Switch to the Network
Guidelines for Connecting Ports

•Wear an ESD-preventative wrist strap that is connected to an earth ground whenever handling transceivers.
The switch is typically grounded during installation and provides an ESD port to which you can connect
your wrist strap.
• Do not remove and insert a transceiver more often than is necessary. Repeated removals and insertions
can shorten its useful life.
• Keep the transceivers and fiber-optic cables clean and dust free to maintain high signal accuracy and to
prevent damage to the connectors. Contamination causes increased attenuation (loss of light), and should
be kept below 0.35 dB.
• Clean these parts before installation to prevent dust from scratching the fiber-optic cable ends.
• Clean the connectors 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 fiber-optic connection cleaning procedures.
• Do not touch the ends of connectors. Touching the ends can leave fingerprints and cause other
contamination.
• Inspect routinely for dust and damage. If you suspect damage, clean and then inspect fiber ends under a
microscope to determine if damage has occurred.
• To minimize the chance of damaging transceivers when installing them, slide them gently into their
switch slots. Never force transceivers all the way into the slots. If the transceiver stops part way into the
slot, it might be upside down. Remove the transceiver before turning it over and reinstalling it. If positioned
correctly, the transceiver slides all the way into the slot and clicks when fully installed.
Statement 1051—Laser Radiation
Invisible laser radiation may be emitted from disconnected fibers or connectors. Do not stare into beams or
view directly with optical instruments.
Warning
Statement 1055—Class 1/1M Laser
Warning – Invisible Laser Radiation. Do not expose users of telescopic optics. Class 1/1M Laser Products.
Warning
Statement 1056—Unterminated Fiber Cable
Invisible laser radiation may be emitted from the end of the unterminated fiber cable or connector. Do not
view directly with optical instruments. Viewing the laser output with certain optical instruments (for example,
eye loupes, magnifiers, and microscopes) within a distance of 100 mm may pose an eye hazard.
Warning
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Connecting the Switch to the Network
Guidelines for Connecting Ports

Maintaining Transceivers and Optical Cables
Transceivers and fiber-optic cables must be kept clean and dust free to maintain high signal accuracy and
prevent damage to the connectors. Contamination increases attenuation (loss of light) and should be below
0.35 dB.
Consider the following maintenance guidelines:
• Transceivers are static sensitive. To prevent ESD damage, wear an ESD-preventative wrist strap that is
connected to the grounded chassis.
• Do not remove and insert a transceiver more often than is necessary. Repeated removals and insertions
can shorten its useful life.
• Keep all optical connections covered when not in use. Clean them before using to prevent dust from
scratching the fiber-optic cable ends.
• Do not touch the ends of connectors. Touching the ends can leave fingerprints and cause other
contamination.
• Clean the connectors 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 the fiber-optic connection cleaning procedures for your site.
• Inspect routinely for dust and damage. If you suspect damage, clean and then inspect fiber ends under a
microscope to determine if damage has occurred.
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Connecting the Switch to the Network
Maintaining Transceivers and Optical Cables