HP ProCurve 6208M-SX Manual

Read Me First
for the HP ProCurve Routing Switches 9304M, 9308M, and 6308M-SX
and the HP ProCurve Switch 6208M-SX
Covering Software Release 05.2.14 (or Later)
Software Updates Are Free!
Help Us Help You...Register Now To Keep Up-To-Date on the Latest Software!
Hewlett-PackardprovidesfreesoftwareupdatesforallmanagedHPProCurvenetworkingproducts.Toaccess
the software updates, to to the HP ProCurve website at http://www.hp.com/go/procurve, then click on Free
Software Updates.
Register for Automatic Notification of Updates. From the Free Software Updates page you can also
register yourself to automatically receive email notice of new updates for your managed HP ProCurve
networking products. Just follow the instructions on that page for how to receive the update notices.
To determine whether you havethe latest software, compare the software version that is available on the website with the
version that iscurrently installed in your switch or routing switch. To load a new software image, see chapter 4, "Updating
Software Images and Configuration Files", in the manual you received with the switch or routing switch.
Note that current product documentation, plus any supplements describing how to use any recently released software
updates are also available on the above website (click on Technical Support, then Manual).
New Software Release 05.2.14 (or Later) Is Now Available with the Following
New Features
For more information, refer to the documentation shipped with the switch or routing switch, or to Release Notes for
Version05.2.14oftheHPProCurve RoutingSwitches9304M, 9308M,and6308M-SX,and theHPProCurveSwitch
6208M-SX Operating System. This booklet is available on HP’s ProCurve website at http://www.hp.com/go/procurve
(click on Technical Support, then Manual).
Contents:
■Software Updates Are Free!
■New Software Release 05.2.14
■Module Installation
■Getting Started
■Your Free Ticket to Proactive Networking
■Accessory Parts List
■Operating Notes, Troubleshooting, and Errata Warning: Donotusethehandlesonthepowersupply
units to lift or carry the routing switch.
• Support for Redundant Management Modules
– Increased Default Maximum Number of IP Routes
– Larger Default Maximum Number of BGP4 Neighbor Prefixes
• Single-Instance Spanning Tree
• Enhanced show techcommand
• Faster BGP4 route update convergence time
• SNMP and Syslog Message Enhancements
• More Layer 2, Layer 3, and System Level Enhancements
• Software Fixes

2
Module Installation
Caution—Routing Switch 9304M and 9308M
To avoid hardware damage during module installation, be careful to properly line up the edges of the module
board with the guides built into the module slot on the chassis.
Getting Started
You can initially access the routing switch in either of the following ways:
■Via Telnet or FTP through port 1 on the management module,usingthefactorydefaultIPaddress(209.157.22.254)
and subnet mask (255.255.255.0)
■By connecting a terminal device to the serial port on the management module
Note: HP recommends that you use the console cable provided with the routing switch. If you need to use a different
cable, please see the "Console Cable" entry under "Accessory Parts List" on the next page.
Afteryouhaveaccessedtherouting switch,changethedefault IPaddressandsubnet masktocorrespondtoyournetwork’s
addressing scheme. For more on assigning an IP address and other topics, see the following:
Your Free Ticket to Proactive Networking!
HP TopTools for Switches & Hubs is a breakthrough in network management software that gives you more network with
less work. The TopTools for Switches & Hubs CDis included at no extra charge with your HP ProCurve routing switch. See
the system requirements printed on the sleeve containing the HP TopTools CD.
Topic Location in the Installation
and Configuration Guide
Installation Procedures and Precautions Chapter 2
AttachingaTerminalDeviceandAssigninganIP
Address Chapter 2
Using Redundant Management Modules Chapter 3
System Boot from a Bootp Server Appendix B
Software Overview Chapter 5
Hardware Overview and Specifications Chapter 6
Enabling Telnet Chapters 2 (pp. 2-28, 2-29) and 5 (p. 5-9)

3
Accessory Parts List
The following accessories are included with your HP ProCurve routing switch.
Operating Notes, Troubleshooting, and Errata
Redundant Management Module Operation
When two redundant management modules are installed in an HP 9304M or 9308M Routing Switch, the two modules
work together as active and standby management modules. If the active module becomes unavailable, the standby
module automatically takes over system operation. If this occurs, the routing tables, ARP tables, etc. are all updated
dynamically, as if the routing switch had been rebooted. As a result of this reconvergence, a noticeable, temporary
network disruption will occur.The durationofthedisruption dependsonthe numberof routesbeing utilizedthrough
the device, and can be significant.
Default Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) Settings
Pages 5-12 and 8-31 in Book 1: Installation and Getting Started Guide, and page 17-7 in Book 2: Advanced
Configuration and Management Guide, incorrectly state that STP is enabled by default on the HP 6208M Switch.
The default STP setting forthe 6208M switchas well asthe 9304M,9308M, and 6308M routing switches is "disabled".
On all of these devices, STP must be enabled at the system level to allow assignment of this capability to the VLAN
level. For more information on STP, see:
■The next topic, "Configuring Single-Instance Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)" on page 4.
Item Notes
Power Cord Kit The HP ProCurve 9304M: Either three power cords (one each for the U.S.A., the U.K., and continental Europe) or
one power cord for Australia.
TheHPProCurve9308M:Eithersixpowercords(twoeachfortheU.S.A.,theU.K.,andcontinentalEurope)ortwo
power cords for Australia.
The HP ProCurve 6308M-SX: Two power cords for either the U.S.A., continental Europe, Australia, or the UK.
The HP ProCurve 6208M-SX: Two power cords for either the U.S.A., continental Europe, Australia, or the UK.
Caution:Iftheinstallationrequiresadifferentpowercordthantheonesuppliedwiththeswitchorroutingswitch,
be sure to use a shielded power cord displaying the mark of the safety agency that defines the regulations for
powercordsinyourcountry.Themarkisyourassurancethatthepowercordcanbeusedsafelywiththeswitch
or routing switch.
Console Cable Connects terminal, PC, or modem to serial port on any HP 9300 management module, 6308M-SX routing switch,
or6208M-SXswitchfordirect-connectormodemaccess managementusingthe CommandLine Interface (CLI),
orconsole.Ifyouneedtousea differentcable, select a"straight-through"serialcable withafemaleDB-9toDB-
9 connector for the connection to the switch or routing switch. For more information, see "Attaching a PC or
Terminal" in chapter 2, "Installation".
Rack Mount Kit Containstwomountingbracketsand the screwsrequiredto attachthe brackets tothe switch orrouting switch.
HP TopTools for Switches
& Hubs CD For system requirements, see the sleeve containing the CD.
Product Documentation • Installation and Getting Started Guide
• Product Documentation CD-ROM
• ReleaseNotesandManualSupplementsdescribingsoftwarefeatures(ifany)addedafterthelastrevisionof
the manuals (For the latest information, go to http://www.hp.com/go/procurve, click on Technical Support,
and then click on Manual.)
•Declaration of Conformity (for product shipments in Europe)
Warranty Booklet —

4
■"Enabling or Disabling Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)" on page 8-31 inBook 1: Installation and Getting
Started, that was shipped with your device
■Book 2: Advanced Configuration and Management (included on the Product Documentation CD-ROM
shipped with your device):
•"Spanning Tree Protocol" on page 17-7
•"Enable Spanning Tree on a VLAN" on page 17-19
•"spanning-tree" on page B-153
Configuring Single-Instance Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)
Beginning with software release 05.2.14, you can configure either single-instance or multiple-instance spanning tree
on theHP 9304M,9308M, and6308M-SXrouting switches, and the HP 6208M-SXSwitch. When single-instance STP is
enabled,allVLANSonthe devicebelongtothesamespanningtreeVLAN—withasharedSTPVLANIDof4094.When
multi-instance STP is used, each VLAN has a unique spanning tree ID.
To enable single-instance STP:
1. Enable single-instance STP globally.
2. Enable STP on each interface on which you want STP to operate.
•On the 9304M, 9308M, and 6308M-SX routing switches, you can enable STP on a per port or per VLAN
basis.
•On the 6208M switch, enabling single-instance STP initially applies to all VLANs in the switch. You can
use the no spanning tree command to disable STP on individual VLANs in the switch.
Example of Single-Instance STP Configuration: Beginning at the User EXEC level of the CLI, execute the
following:
After executing the above commands, the show config command will list the following VLAN/STP information:
HP9308>enable
HP9308#configure terminal
HP9308(config)#spanning-tree single
HP9308#wr mem Enables single-instance STP globally. Saves the configuration change to memory.
Single instance STP must be enabled for each VLAN that participates in the
spanning-treealgorithm.TheconfigurationfilewillshowwhetherSTPisenabled
for a specific VLAN. In the following example, VLAN 100 is configured for STP
(participating in the STP algorithm), while VLAN 101 is not.
HP9308(config)#vlan 100
HP9308(config-vlan-100)#span
HP9308(config)#wr mem
Continuingfromabove,thiscommandenablessingle-instanceSTPonVLAN100.
("100" is the <vlan ID>.)
Saves the configuration change to memory.
ver 05.2.1x
!
span single
!
vlan 100 by port
tagged ethe 3/1 to 3/2
span
!
vlan 101 by port
tagged ethe 3/1 to 3/2
no span
Shows the software version number for the device.
Indicates single-instance STP is enabled on the device.
"span" indicates single-instance STP is configured on VLAN 100.
(Note:onthe6208M-XSswitch,theword"span"doesnotappear,eventhoughthe
device has been enabled for that VLAN.)
"no span" indicates that STP is not configured on VLAN 101.

5
Whenmultiple-instanceSTPisenabled,ifVLAN100usesSTPandVLAN101doesnot,theconfigurationfilegenerated
by show config shows the following:
For more information on STP, see "Default Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) Settings" on page 3.
Implementing Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) in a Tagged VLAN Environment
Condition. The HP ProCurve 9304M, 9308M, and 6308M-SX routing switches and the 6208M-SX switch offer both
multiple-instance and single-instance spanning tree. The HP ProCurve 1600M, 2400M, 2424M, 4000M, and 8000M
switches use single-instancespanning tree only. In a network where multiple-instanceSTP is configured ona 9304M,
9308M,6308M-SX,or 6208M-SX,STPwill fail on a connectionbetween anyof thesedevices and a single-instance STP
device if the STP Priority parameter settings are left at their defaults. (In most cases, the 6308M-SX and 6208M-SX
would be used in the core network, and would not be configured for multiple-instance STP.) That is, if one or more
of the single-instance STP-enabled switches in the network uses the default STP Priority parameter setting (32768),
then one of these switches will become the root bridge (due the MAC addresses in these switches being lower than
the MAC addresses in themultiple-instance STP devices).When this occurs, STP fails on any links between the (root
bridge) switch and any multiple-instance STP device (9304M, 9308M, 6308M-SX, or 6208M-SX) to which the switch
is connected.
Solution. Interoperability testing indicates that the STP configuration allows for proper interoperation between a
9304M, 9308M, 6308M-SX, or 6208M-SX (configured for multiple-instance STP) and a 1600M, 2400M, 2424M, 4000M,
or 8000M switch in a tagged VLAN environment.
1. On the 9304M, 9308M, 6308M-SX, or 6208M-SX, ensure that software release 05.2.14 or later is installed.(This
releaseisincludedwithdevicesshippedafter10/01/99,andisalsoavailableintheSupportareaofHP’sProCurve
website at http://www.hp.com/go/procurve).
2. Disconnect the 9304M, 9308M, 6308M-SX, or 6208M-SX from all 1600M, 2400M, 2424M, 4000M, and 8000M
switches.
3. Configure the 9304M, 9308M, 6308M-SX,or 6208M-SX to be the root bridge. Do this by changing the STP Priority
parametertoa valuethatislowerthanthedefaultsettingof 32768.(Thisassumes that theSTPPriorityparameter
in the 1600M, 2400M, 2424M, 4000M, and 8000M switch(es) is either set at the default or is set to a higher value
than the Priority setting you are using in the 9304M, 9308M, 6308M-SX, or 6208M-SX.)
ver 05.2.1x
!
global-stp
!
vlan 100 by port
tagged ethe 3/1 to 3/2
span
!
vlan 101 by port
tagged ethe 3/1 to 3/2
Shows the software version for the device.
Indicats that multiple-instance STP is enabled on the device.
In the case of multiple-instance STP, the VLAN(s) on which STP is running are
indicated by the presence of span.
9308M
Routing Switch
STP enabled
(multiple instance)
Switch 8000M
STP enabled
(single instance)
ForSTPtooperateproperlyinthisexample,the
9308M STP Priority parameter must be lower
thanthePriorityparametersettingintheSwitch
8000Ms. (See "Solution", below.)
Switch 8000M
STP enabled
(single instance)

6
4. Connectthe 9304M,9308M,6308M-SX,or6208M-SXtotheswitch(es)thatwere disconnectedinstep2andbring
up the network.
Operating Notes for Using the 9304M, 9308M, 6308M-SX, or 6208M-SX in a Tagged VLAN Environment.
If there is more than one of these devices in the network, the root (primary) device must have an STP Priority setting
that is lower than the other such devices in the network. This ensures that the device will become the root if the
primary device fails.
Caution
IfthereismorethanonesuchdeviceinataggedVLANenvironmentwithSTPenabled,STPwillfailifthelinkbetween
the primary and secondary device fails while both devices continue to route packets. An STP failure will cause
broadcast storms and will result in a catastrophic failure of the network. For this reason, using STP in a tagged VLAN
environment with multiple devices is not recommended.
The following scenarios will cause STP to fail:
■The 9304M, 9308M, 6308M-SX, or 6208M-SX is not configured to be the root bridge, as described above. In
this case, STP fails between any of these devices and an HP ProCurve switch.
■Ifthereismorethanonesuchdeviceinthenetworkandtheyarenotdirectlyconnected,STPwillfailbetween
these devices. Multiples of these devices must be directly connected to each other in order to correctly
interpret each other’s BPDU (bridge protocol data unit) packets.
Auto-Negotiation Between the HP 9300M Routing Switches and Extreme Summit™Switches
Condition. Auto-NegotiationbetweentheHP9300MroutingswitchesandExtremeSummitswitchesmaysometimes
fail.
Solution. Disable auto-gig on the routing switch port(s) attached to the Extreme Summit switch.
Forexample,usethe followingCLIcommands to disableauto-gig on port2 inslot 1of the HPJ9304MRoutingSwitch:
HP 9304M (config)# int e 1/2
HP 9304M (config-if-1/2)# no auto-gig
Web Management Interface Running Slow or Failing To Respond
Condition. The Web management interface on the routing switch times out or does not respond. This can occur
when the routing switch CPU is processing an excessive amount of broadcast traffic.
Solution. The Web management interface recovers automatically when the CPU is sufficiently free of broadcast
traffic. Because the Web management interface is a low priority for the CPU, you may want to take steps to reduce
the broadcast traffic on your network. One method for doing this is to use TopTools for Hubs & Switches (version
N.01.03 or later) to determine the "top talkers" on your network, then create VLANs to segment the network for
optimum traffic control.
Web Management Interface "Not Available" or "In Use"
Condition. You are unable to access the Web managment interface.

7
Solution. A routing switch allows only one session of the Web management interface at any given time. Thus, if one
user isaccessingthe routing switch via the Web, thenotavailable orinuse messages will appear to another user who
is trying to access that routing switchthrough the Web management interface. You can, however, limit access via the
Web management interface by assigning a password to the routing switch. With a password set, access via the Web
management interface will be available only to users who can enter the password. For more on passwords, refer to
the Installation and Configuration Guide you received with the routing switch.
Device Will Not Boot Up Due to Corrupt Operating System
Condition. The operating system (OS) is corrupt on both the primary and secondary flash memory, and the routing
switch will not boot up.
Solution. The routing switch will first try to boot up using the primary OS written to flash memory. If this fails, the
device automatically tries toboot fromthe secondary flash memory. If thisalso fails, the routing switchthen tries to
connect to a TFTP server and boot from there. This will failif a TFTP server isnot configured to support the routing
switch, or is not found. You can perform this solution only if you have access to a TFTP server. Otherwise, there are
TFTP applications (available on the World Wide Web) that you can use to enable your PC to appear as a TFTP server
to the routing switch. One website where such software can be found is http://www.walusoft.co.uk.
1. Using a straight-through cable, directly connect a PC or terminal to the serial port on the routing switch. (For
more information on attaching a PC or terminal, refer to chapter 2, "Installation", in the Installation and
Configuration Guide.)
2. Reboot the routing switch.
3. While the system is booting up, enter bat the CLI to go into the boot monitor mode.
4. Enter the following commands:
a. boot> ip address <ip address> <subnet mask>
b. boot> ip default_gateway <ip address of tftp server --or-- default gateway to get to tftp server>
c. boot> boot system tftp <ip address of tftp server> <configuration file name>
The routing switch will now be able to boot up over the network. a new copy of the operating system can now be
downloaded to the primary and secondary flash memories via the TFTP server.

© 1999 Hewlett-Packard Company
HPPartNumber:5967-9956
Edition 4, September 1999
Printed in USA
*5967-9956*
The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.