Dell PowerConnect 8024 User manual

Dell PowerConnect 8024, 8024F, M8024, and
M8024-k
Switch Configuration Guide for EqualLogic SANs
Dell Storage Engineering
October 2013
[email protected]om

2 SCG1008 PowerConnect 8024, 8024F, M8024 and M8024-k Switch Configuration Guide for EqualLogic SANs
Revisions
© 2013 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this material in any manner whatsoever without the express
written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden. For more information, contact Dell.
Dell, the Dell logo, and the Dell badge, PowerConnect, EqualLogic, and Force10 are trademarks of Dell Inc.
Date
Description
October 2013
Initial release

3 SCG1008 PowerConnect 8024, 8024F, M8024 and M8024-k Switch Configuration Guide for EqualLogic SANs
Table of contents
Revisions ..................................................................................................................................................................................................2
1Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................................................5
1.1 Audience................................................................................................................................................................................5
1.2 Switch details........................................................................................................................................................................5
2Dell recommended switch configuration for 8024 and 8024F.......................................................................................... 6
2.1 Cabling diagram for 8024 and 8024F ........................................................................................................................... 6
2.2 Hardware configuration..................................................................................................................................................... 7
2.3 Check firmware version .....................................................................................................................................................7
2.4 Delete startup configuration.............................................................................................................................................7
2.5 Disable DCB.......................................................................................................................................................................... 7
2.6 Configure out of band (OOB) management port ....................................................................................................... 8
2.7 Configure login credentials.............................................................................................................................................. 8
2.8 Configure Jumbo Frames................................................................................................................................................. 8
2.9 Enable flow control............................................................................................................................................................ 8
2.10 Configure spanning tree portfast on edge ports......................................................................................................... 8
2.11 Configure port channel for LAG ..................................................................................................................................... 9
2.12 Configure SFP+ ports for LAG......................................................................................................................................... 9
2.13 Save configuration ............................................................................................................................................................. 9
2.14 Configure additional switch............................................................................................................................................. 9
3Dell recommended switch configuration for M8024 and M8024-k............................................................................... 10
3.1 Cabling diagram for M8024 and M8024-k................................................................................................................. 10
3.2 Hardware configuration................................................................................................................................................... 11
3.3 Check firmware version ................................................................................................................................................... 11
3.4 Delete startup configuration........................................................................................................................................... 11
3.5 Check current operational mode ..................................................................................................................................12
3.6 Disable DCB........................................................................................................................................................................12
3.7 Configure out of band (OOB) management port ......................................................................................................12
3.8 Configure login credentials.............................................................................................................................................12
3.9 Configure Jumbo Frames................................................................................................................................................13
3.10 Enable flow control...........................................................................................................................................................13
3.11 Configure spanning tree portfast on edge ports........................................................................................................13

4 SCG1008 PowerConnect 8024, 8024F, M8024 and M8024-k Switch Configuration Guide for EqualLogic SANs
3.12 Configure port channel for LAG ....................................................................................................................................13
3.13 Configure SFP+ ports for LAG (M8024-k) ...................................................................................................................13
3.14 Configure SFP+ ports for LAG (M8024) .......................................................................................................................14
3.15 Save configuration ............................................................................................................................................................14
3.16 Configure additional switch ............................................................................................................................................14
4Optional virtual stack configuration for 8024 and 8024F...................................................................................................15
4.1 Check firmware version ...................................................................................................................................................15
4.2 Delete startup configuration...........................................................................................................................................15
4.3 Configure virtual stack ports (switch 1) ........................................................................................................................16
4.4 Save configuration ............................................................................................................................................................16
4.5 Prepare the first switch for stack membership:..........................................................................................................16
4.6 Configure virtual stack ports (switch 2)........................................................................................................................16
4.7 Save configuration (switch 2).......................................................................................................................................... 17
4.8 Final configuration ............................................................................................................................................................ 17
4.9 Disable DCB........................................................................................................................................................................ 17
4.10 Configure out of band (OOB) management port ..................................................................................................... 18
4.11 Configure login credentials............................................................................................................................................ 18
4.12 Configure Jumbo Frames............................................................................................................................................... 18
4.13 Configure spanning tree portfast on edge ports....................................................................................................... 18
4.14 Enable flow control.......................................................................................................................................................... 18
4.15 Save configuration ............................................................................................................................................................19
Additional resources .......................................................................................................................................................................... 20

5 SCG1008 PowerConnect 8024, 8024F, M8024 and M8024-k Switch Configuration Guide for EqualLogic SANs
1Introduction
This document shows how to configure Dell™ PowerConnect™ 8024, 8024F, M8024, and M8024-k
switches for use with EqualLogic™ PS Series storage using Dell best practices. The recommended
configuration uses link aggregation groups (LAGs) for inter-switch connections. An optional configuration
is provided for 8024 and 8024F switches using the virtual stacking feature.
For more information on EqualLogic SAN design recommendations, see the EqualLogic Configuration
Guide at: http://en.community.dell.com/dell-
groups/dtcmedia/m/mediagallery/19852516/download.aspx.
1.1 Audience
This switch configuration guide describes an optimal configuration following Dell best practices for an
EqualLogic iSCSI SAN and is intended for storage or network administrators and deployment personnel.
1.2 Switch details
The table below provides an overview of the switch configuration.
Table 1 Switch specifications
Dell PowerConnect 8024, 8024F, M8024, and M8024-k
Switch vendor Dell PowerConnect
Switch model PowerConnect 8024, PowerConnect 8024F, PowerConnect
M8024, PowerConnect M8024-k
Switch firmware 5.1.1.7 and later
Note: For proper functionality, the switch must be at the switch firmware version shown in the table
above before proceeding with this configuration. Using previous firmware versions may have
unpredictable results.
The latest firmware updates and documentation can be found at: support.dell.com.

6 SCG1008 PowerConnect 8024, 8024F, M8024 and M8024-k Switch Configuration Guide for EqualLogic SANs
2Dell recommended switch configuration for 8024 and
8024F
These steps show how to configure two PowerConnect 8024 or 8024F series switches with a LAG. The
switches are interconnected using four 10 GbE Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP+) ports, and the LAG is
configured for Dynamic Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP).
For configuring M8024 and M8024-k with a LAG, skip to Section 3. For configuring PowerConnect 8024
or 8024F series switches in a virtual stack configuration, skip to Section 4.
2.1 Cabling diagram for 8024 and 8024F
The cabling diagram shown below represents the Dell recommend method for deploying your servers and
EqualLogic arrays.
Figure 1 Cabling diagram

7 SCG1008 PowerConnect 8024, 8024F, M8024 and M8024-k Switch Configuration Guide for EqualLogic SANs
2.2 Hardware configuration
1. Power on the two switches.
2. Connect a serial cable to the serial port of the first switch.
3. Using Putty or another terminal utility, open a serial connection session to the switch.
4. Open your terminal emulator and configure it to use the serial port (usually COM1, but this may vary
depending on your system). Configure serial communications for 9600,N,8,1 and no flow control.
5. Connect the LAG cables between the switches. See this configuration in Figure 1.
2.3 Check firmware version
console>enable
console#show version
Note: If the active version displayed here is not 5.1.1.7 or later, please visit support.dell.com and
download the latest update for your switches.
2.4 Delete startup configuration
Note: All configuration settings will be deleted.
console#clear config
console>enable
console#copy running-config startup-config
console#reload
Are you sure you want to reload the stack? (y/n) y
Note: The switch will reboot.
2.5 Disable DCB
Note: The PowerConnect 8024 and 8024F switches do not support Enhanced Transmission Selection
(ETS), therefore Data Center Bridging (DCB) must be manually disabled using the following steps:
console>enable
console#configure
console(config)#no dcb enable

8 SCG1008 PowerConnect 8024, 8024F, M8024 and M8024-k Switch Configuration Guide for EqualLogic SANs
2.6 Configure out of band (OOB) management port
console(config)#interface out-of-band
console(config-if)#ip address ipaddress mask gateway
console(config-if)#exit
2.7 Configure login credentials
console(config)#line telnet
console(config-telnet)#login authentication default
console(config-telnet)#exit
console(config)#ip http authentication local
console(config)#username admin password yourpassword privilege 15
console(config)#enable password yourpassword
2.8 Configure Jumbo Frames
console(config)#interface range tengigabitethernet all
console(config-if)#mtu 9216
console(config-if)#exit
2.9 Enable flow control
console(config)#flowcontrol
This operation may take a few minutes.
Management interfaces will not be available during this time.
Are you sure you want to continue? (y/n)y
2.10 Configure spanning tree portfast on edge ports
console(config)#interface range tengigabitethernet 1/0/1-20
console(config-if)#spanning-tree portfast
console(config-if)#exit

9 SCG1008 PowerConnect 8024, 8024F, M8024 and M8024-k Switch Configuration Guide for EqualLogic SANs
2.11 Configure port channel for LAG
These commands configure the switch interconnect as a LAG.
console(conf)#interface Port-channel 1
console(conf-if-Po1)#mtu 9216
console(conf-if-Po1)#exit
2.12 Configure SFP+ ports for LAG
These commands assign four 10Gb SFP+ ports to the Port Channel.
console(conf)#interface range Tengigabitethernet 1/0/21-24
console(conf-if)#channel-group 1 mode active
console(conf-if)#exit
console(conf)#exit
2.13 Save configuration
console#copy running-config startup-config
This operation may take a few minutes.
Management interfaces will not be available during this time.
Are you sure you want to save? (y/n)y
2.14 Configure additional switch
Repeat the commands from section 2 to configure the second switch.
Note: The preceding procedure places all switch ports in the default VLAN. If you prefer to place ports in a
non-default VLAN, refer to the documentation for your switch.

10 SCG1008 PowerConnect 8024, 8024F, M8024 and M8024-k Switch Configuration Guide for EqualLogic SANs
3Dell recommended switch configuration for M8024 and
M8024-k
These steps show you how to configure two PowerConnect M8024 or M8024-k series switches with a
LAG. The switches are interconnected using four 10 GbE Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP+) ports, and
the LAG is configured for Dynamic Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP).
3.1 Cabling diagram for M8024 and M8024-k
The cabling diagram shown below represents the Dell recommend method for deploying your servers and
EqualLogic arrays.
Figure 2 Cabling diagram

11 SCG1008 PowerConnect 8024, 8024F, M8024 and M8024-k Switch Configuration Guide for EqualLogic SANs
3.2 Hardware configuration
1. Ensure the blade chassis and switch modules are powered on.
2. Connect a serial cable to the serial port of the first switch or optionally use the Chassis Management
Controller (CMC) to connect to the switch module.
3. Using Putty or another terminal utility, open a serial connection session to the switch.
4. Open your terminal emulator and configure it to use the serial port (usually COM1, but this may vary
depending on your system). Configure serial communications for 9600,N,8,1 and no flow control.
5. Connect the LAG cables between the switches. See this configuration in Figure 2.
3.3 Check firmware version
console>enable
console#show version
Note: If the active version displayed here is not 5.1.1.7 or later, please visit support.dell.com and
download the latest update for your switches.
3.4 Delete startup configuration
Note: All configuration settings will be deleted
console#clear config
console>enable
console#copy running-config startup-config
console#reload
Are you sure you want to reload the stack? (y/n) y
Note: The switch will reboot.

12 SCG1008 PowerConnect 8024, 8024F, M8024 and M8024-k Switch Configuration Guide for EqualLogic SANs
3.5 Check current operational mode
Note: Before proceeding, the “System Operational Mode” must be set to “Normal”. Some switches, such
as the M8024k, ship from the factory in simple mode.
console>enable
console#configure
console(config)#no mode simple
Switching modes will immediately clear the configuration. Are you sure you want
to continue? (y/n) y
Switch has unsaved changes.
Are you sure you want to continue? (y/n) y
Note: The switch will reboot. If the switch reports “Normal mode already active”, then you may proceed
to the next step without rebooting.
3.6 Disable DCB
Note: The PowerConnect M8024-k switches do not support Enhanced Transmission Selection (ETS),
therefore Data Center Bridging (DCB) must be manually disabled using the following steps. If you have
the M8024 switch, skip this section.
console>enable
console#configure
console(config)#no dcb enable
3.7 Configure out of band (OOB) management port
console(config)#interface out-of-band
console(config-if)#ip address ipaddress mask gateway
console(config-if)#exit
3.8 Configure login credentials
console(config)#line telnet
console(config-telnet)#login authentication default
console(config-telnet)#exit

13 SCG1008 PowerConnect 8024, 8024F, M8024 and M8024-k Switch Configuration Guide for EqualLogic SANs
console(config)#ip http authentication local
console(config)#username admin password yourpassword privilege 15
console(config)#enable password yourpassword
3.9 Configure Jumbo Frames
console(config)#interface range tengigabitethernet all
console(config-if)#mtu 9216
console(config-if)#exit
3.10 Enable flow control
console(config)#flowcontrol
This operation may take a few minutes.
Management interfaces will not be available during this time.
Are you sure you want to continue? (y/n)y
3.11 Configure spanning tree portfast on edge ports
console(config)#interface range tengigabitethernet 1/0/1-16
console(config-if)#spanning-tree portfast
console(config-if)#exit
3.12 Configure port channel for LAG
These commands configure the switch interconnect as a LAG.
console(conf)#interface port-channel 1
console(conf-if-po1)#mtu 9216
console(conf-if-po1)#exit
3.13 Configure SFP+ ports for LAG (M8024-k)
Note: The commands in this section assign the four built-in external 10Gb SFP+ ports to the Port
Channel on the M8024-k. If you have the M8024 switch, skip this step and proceed to Section 3.14.
console(conf)#interface range tengigabitethernet 1/0/17-20

14 SCG1008 PowerConnect 8024, 8024F, M8024 and M8024-k Switch Configuration Guide for EqualLogic SANs
console(conf-if)#channel-group 1 mode active
console(conf-if)#exit
console(conf)#exit
3.14 Configure SFP+ ports for LAG (M8024)
Note: The commands in this section assign four 10Gb SFP+ ports from an optional expansion module in
the first expansion slot, to the Port Channel. If you have the M8024-k switch, see section 3.13 instead.
console(conf)#interface range tengigabitethernet 1/1/1-4
console(conf-if)#channel-group 1 mode active
console(conf-if)#exit
console(conf)#exit
3.15 Save configuration
console#copy running-config startup-config
This operation may take a few minutes.
Management interfaces will not be available during this time.
Are you sure you want to save? (y/n)y
3.16 Configure additional switch
Repeat the commands from section 3 to configure the second switch.
Note: The preceding procedure places all switch ports in the default VLAN. If you prefer to place ports in a
non-default VLAN, refer to the documentation for your switch.

15 SCG1008 PowerConnect 8024, 8024F, M8024 and M8024-k Switch Configuration Guide for EqualLogic SANs
4Optional virtual stack configuration for 8024 and 8024F
Note: If you wish to use a virtual stack configuration instead of LAG, follow the instruction below instead
of section 2 or 3.
One advantage of stacked switches is that they can be managed as a single switch; however firmware
updates will update all members of the stack simultaneously and therefore should only be done during
planned downtime.
Do not connect the cables between the stacked switches (this will be done in a later step).
On both switches, enter the following commands:
4.1 Check firmware version
console>enable
console#show version
Note: If the active version displayed is not 5.1.1.7 or later, please visit support.dell.com and download the
latest update for your switches.
4.2 Delete startup configuration
Note: All configuration settings will be deleted
console#clear config
console>enable
console#copy running-config startup-config
console#reload
Are you sure you want to reload the stack? (y/n) y
Note: The switch will reboot.
On the first switch only, proceed with the following steps:

16 SCG1008 PowerConnect 8024, 8024F, M8024 and M8024-k Switch Configuration Guide for EqualLogic SANs
4.3 Configure virtual stack ports (switch 1)
console(config)#stack
console(config-stack)#stack-port tengigabitethernet 1/0/21 stack
console(config-stack)#stack-port tengigabitethernet 1/0/22 stack
console(config-stack)#stack-port tengigabitethernet 1/0/23 stack
console(config-stack)#stack-port tengigabitethernet 1/0/24 stack
console(config-stack)#exit
console(config)#exit
4.4 Save configuration
console#copy running-config startup-config
This operation may take a few minutes.
Management interfaces will not be available during this time.
Are you sure you want to save? (y/n)y
4.5 Prepare the first switch for stack membership:
console>enable
(Provide the enable password you set previously)
console#config
console(config)#stack
console(config-stack)#member 2 2
console(config-stack)#exit
console(config)#exit
console#copy running-config startup-config
4.6 Configure virtual stack ports (switch 2)
On the second switch only, enter the following:
console#configure
console(config)#switch 1 renumber 2
All the switches in the stack will be reset to perform Manager unit renumbering and the configuration of
Manager switch interfaces will be cleared.
Are you sure you want to renumber? (y/n)y

17 SCG1008 PowerConnect 8024, 8024F, M8024 and M8024-k Switch Configuration Guide for EqualLogic SANs
Note: the switch will reboot.
console>enable
console#configure
console(config)#stack
console(config-stack)#stack-port tengigabitethernet 2/0/21 stack
console(config-stack)#stack-port tengigabitethernet 2/0/22 stack
console(config-stack)#stack-port tengigabitethernet 2/0/23 stack
console(config-stack)#stack-port tengigabitethernet 2/0/24 stack
console(config-stack)#exit
console(config)#exit
4.7 Save configuration (switch 2)
console#copy running-config startup-config
This operation may take a few minutes.
Management interfaces will not be available during this time.
Are you sure you want to save? (y/n)y
4.8 Final configuration
Power off switch 2, and then connect the cables between the stacked switches (ports 21-24).
Power on switch 2 and wait until it has fully booted.
From the first switch (master) complete the configuration for the stack:
console>enable
console#show switch
Note: Before proceeding ensure that the status for all switches in the stack show OK.
4.9 Disable DCB
Note: The PowerConnect 8024 and 8024F switches do not support Enhanced Transmission Selection
(ETS), therefore Data Center Bridging (DCB) must be manually disabled using the following steps:
console#configure
console(config)#no dcb enable

18 SCG1008 PowerConnect 8024, 8024F, M8024 and M8024-k Switch Configuration Guide for EqualLogic SANs
4.10 Configure out of band (OOB) management port
console(config)#interface out-of-band
console(config-if)#ip address ipaddress mask gateway
console(config-if)#exit
4.11 Configure login credentials
console(config)#line telnet
console(config-telnet)#login authentication default
console(config-telnet)#exit
console(config)#ip http authentication local
console(config)#username admin password yourpassword privilege 15
console(config)#enable password yourpassword
4.12 Configure Jumbo Frames
console(config)#interface range tengigabitethernet all
console(config-if)#mtu 9216
4.13 Configure spanning tree portfast on edge ports
console(config-if)#spanning-tree portfast
console(config-if)#exit
4.14 Enable flow control
console(config)#flowcontrol
This operation may take a few minutes.
Management interfaces will not be available during this time.
Are you sure you want to continue? (y/n)y
console(config)#exit

19 SCG1008 PowerConnect 8024, 8024F, M8024 and M8024-k Switch Configuration Guide for EqualLogic SANs
4.15 Save configuration
console#copy running-config startup-config
This operation may take a few minutes.
Management interfaces will not be available during this time.

20 SCG1008 PowerConnect 8024, 8024F, M8024 and M8024-k Switch Configuration Guide for EqualLogic SANs
Additional resources
Support.dell.com is focused on meeting your needs with proven services and support.
DellTechCenter.com is an IT Community where you can connect with Dell Customers and Dell employees
for the purpose of sharing knowledge, best practices, and information about Dell products and your
installations.
Referenced or recommended Dell publications:
•Dell EqualLogic Configuration Guide:
http://en.community.dell.com/dell-groups/dtcmedia/m/mediagallery/19852516/download.aspx
•Dell EqualLogic Compatibility Matrix:
http://en.community.dell.com/dell-groups/dtcmedia/m/mediagallery/19856862/download.aspx
For EqualLogic best practices white papers, reference architectures, and sizing guidelines for enterprise
applications and SANs, refer to Storage Infrastructure and Solutions Team Publications at:
•http://dell.to/sM4hJT