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This document is a hardware reference manual written for system administrators and technicians
experienced with networking, Fibre Channel, and SAN technologies to help them install, set up,
configure, operate, maintain, and troubleshoot the Brocade DCX 8510-4 Backbone (“Brocade DCX
8510-4”).
This document presents information on setting up and operating the Brocade DCX 8510-4. It is
organized in a loosely chronological order, beginning with an overview of the Brocade DCX 8510-4
and ending with removal and replacement procedures of field-replaceable units (FRUs).
The document contains the following sections:
•Chapter 1, “Brocade DCX 8510-4 Backbone Overview,” identifies the components of the
Brocade DCX 8510-4 and provides a brief description of its features.
•Chapter 2, “Installation of the Brocade DCX 8510-4,” describes how to install, set up, and
power on the Brocade DCX 8510-4.
•Chapter 3, “Logging In and Configuring the Brocade DCX 8510-4,” provides the initial
configuration information required to get the Brocade DCX 8510-4 established in a fabric.
•Chapter 4, “Monitoring System Components,” provides descriptions of the LEDs and their
functions, and also lists Fabric OS commands required for monitoring the Brocade DCX
8510-4.
•Chapter 5, “Removal and Replacement Procedures,” describes how to remove and replace
each of the FRUs in the Brocade DCX 8510-4.
•Appendix A, “Specifications,” provides information on the physical characteristics,
environmental requirements, and regulatory certifications for the Brocade DCX 8510-4.
•Appendix B, “Application and Encryption Blades,” provides information about application
blades that are optionally available for the Brocade DCX 8510-4.
•Appendix C, “Diagnostics and Troubleshooting,” provides methods for receiving system-wide or
component-level status and interpreting POST and boot activities and diagnostic tests; it also
includes troubleshooting tips.
•Appendix D, “Port Numbering Template,” contains templates where you can record the port
numbering sequence for the port blades.
Supported hardware and software
This document includes information specific to the Brocade DCX 8510-4 running Brocade Fabric
OS version 7.0.0 and later.
What’s new in this document
The following information has been added:
•Corrected maximum power draw for CR16-4 core blade. Refer to “Power demands per
component.”
Document conventions
This section describes text formatting conventions and important notice formats used in this
document.
Text formatting
The narrative-text formatting conventions that are used in this document are as follows:
bold textIdentifies command names
italic textProvides emphasis
code textIdentifies CLI output
For readability, command names in the narrative portions of this guide are presented in mixed
lettercase: for example, switchShow. In actual examples, command lettercase is often all
lowercase. Otherwise, this manual specifically notes those cases in which a command is
case-sensitive.
Identifies GUI elements
Identifies keywords and operands
Identifies text to enter at the GUI or CLI
Identifies variables
Identifies paths and Internet addresses
Identifies document titles
Command syntax in this manual follows these conventions:
commandCommands are printed in bold.
--option, optionCommand options are printed in bold.
-argument, argArguments.
[ ]Optional element.
Document conventions
variableVariables are printed in italics. In the help pages, values are underlined
enclosed in angled brackets < >.
...Repeat the previous element, for example “member[;member...]”
valueFixed values following arguments are printed in plain font. For example,
--show WWN
|Boolean. Elements are exclusive. Example:
--show -mode egress | ingress
or
Command examples
This book describes how to perform configuration tasks using the Fabric OS command line
interface, but does not describe the commands in detail. For complete descriptions of all Fabric OS
commands, including syntax, operand description, and sample output, refer to the Fabric OS Command Reference.
Notes, cautions, and warnings
The following notices and statements are used in this manual. They are listed below in order of
increasing severity of potential hazards.
A note provides a tip, guidance, or advice, emphasizes important information, or provides a
reference to related information.
An Attention statement indicates potential damage to hardware or data.
A Caution statement alerts you to situations that can be potentially hazardous to you or cause
damage to hardware, firmware, software, or data.
A Danger statement indicates conditions or situations that can be potentially lethal or extremely
hazardous to you. Safety labels are also attached directly to products to warn of these conditions
or situations.
Notice to the reader
This document may contain references to the trademarks of the following corporations. These
trademarks are the properties of their respective companies and corporations.
These references are made for informational purposes only.
CorporationReferenced Trademarks and Products
Microsoft CorporationWindows, Windows NT, Internet Explorer
Sun Microsystems, Inc.Sun, Solaris
Netscape Communications CorporationNetscape
Red Hat, Inc.Red Hat, Red Hat Network, Maximum RPM, Linux Undercover
Velcro Industries B.V.Velcro
Additional information
This section lists additional Brocade and industry-specific documentation that you might find
helpful.
Brocade resources
To get up-to-the-minute information, go to http://my.brocade.com to register at no cost for a user ID
and password.
White papers, online demonstrations, and data sheets are available through the Brocade website
at:
For additional Brocade documentation, visit the Brocade website:
http://www.brocade.com
Release notes are available on the MyBrocade website and are also bundled with the Fabric OS
firmware.
Other industry resources
For additional resource information, visit the Technical Committee T11 website. This website
provides interface standards for high-performance and mass storage applications for Fibre
Channel, storage management, and other applications:
http://www.t11.org
For information about the Fibre Channel industry, visit the Fibre Channel Industry Association
website:
http://www.fibrechannel.org
Getting technical help
Contact your Brocade DCX 8510-4 supplier for hardware, firmware, and software support, including
product repairs and part ordering. To expedite your call, have the following information available:
1. General information
• Technical Support contract number, if applicable
• Model name
• Operating system version
• Error numbers and messages received
• supportSave command output
• Detailed description of the problem and specific questions
• Description of any troubleshooting steps already performed and results
• Serial console and Telnet session logs
• syslog message logs
2. Brocade DCX 8510-4 serial number
The Brocade DCX 8510-4 serial number (Switch Serial No.) and corresponding bar code are
provided on the serial number label, as shown here:
*FT00X0054E9*
FT00X0054E9
The serial number label is located on the port side of the chassis, on the lower right side and
directly above the cable management comb.
In addition, the chassisShow command displays the Brocade DCX 8510-4 serial number, as
well as information about the port and application blades, and other field-replaceable units
(FRUs).
3. License ID
Use the licenseIdShow command to display the license ID.
4. World Wide Name (WWN)
Use the wwn command to display the switch WWN.
If you cannot use the wwn command because the switch is inoperable, you can get the WWN
from the same place as the serial number, except for the Brocade DCX 8510-4. For the
Brocade DCX 8510-4, access the numbers on the WWN cards by removing the Brocade logo
plate at the top of the nonport side of the chassis.
Document feedback
Because quality is our first concern at Brocade, we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy
and completeness of this document. However, if you find an error or an omission, or you think that
a topic needs further development, we want to hear from you. Forward your feedback to:
documentation@brocade.com
Provide the title and version number and as much detail as possible about your comment,
including the topic heading and page number and your suggestions for improvement.
The Brocade DCX 8510-4 is part of Brocade's industry-leading Backbone-class product line, a
highly robust class of network switching platform that combines breakthrough performance,
scalability, and energy efficiency with long-term investment. Brocade 8510 Backbones are the
industry’s most powerful Fibre Channel switching infrastructure, providing the most reliable,
scalable, high performance foundation for private cloud storage and highly virtualized
environments. They are designed to increase business agility by adapting to dynamic growth and
change, providing high availability access to information, and reducing infrastructure and
administrative costs.
Key features of the Brocade DCX 8510-4 include:
• Up to 192 16 Gbps external ports in a single chassis, enabling high density SAN configurations
with reduced footprint.
• Support for 2, 4, 8, and 16 Gbps auto-sensing Fibre Channel ports. Trunking technology
groups up to eight ports to create high performance 128-Gbps ISL trunks between switches.
• The Brocade DCX 8510-4 also supports 10 Gbps FC-type SFPs in 16 Gbps port blades only and
also supports 10 GbE SFPs in the FX8-24 application blade. The two types of SFPs are not
interchangeable.
• The 10 Gbps ports can be configured manually on only the first eight ports of the 16 Gbps port
blades.
• Support for many of the application, port blade, and control processor (CP) blades supported in
the Brocade 8510-4 (with the exception of the Core Switch Blade), thereby providing flexible
system configurations and fewer types of new blades.
• Beginning with Fabric OS v7.0.1, up to nine chassis can be connected with the use of 4x16
Gbps quad SFP (QSFP) inter-chassis links (ICLs). Fabric OS v7.0.0 permits up to six chassis to
be linked.
• Support for high-performance port blades running at 2, 4, 8, 10, or 16 Gbps, enabling flexible
system configuration.
• Redundant and hot-swappable control processor and core switch blades, power supplies,
blower assemblies, and WWN cards that enable a high availability platform and enable
nondisruptive software upgrades for mission-critical SAN applications.
• Universal ports that self-configure as E_Ports, F_Ports, EX_Ports and M_Ports (mirror ports).
10 Gbps ports are E_Ports only.
• Diagnostic port (D_Port) functionality.
• In-flight data cryptographic (encryption/decryption) and data compression capabilities through
the 16 Gbps port blades.
• Fibre Channel over IP (FCIP) functionality through the FX8-24 blade.
Brocade DCX 8510-4 hardware components
The Brocade DCX 8510-4 features a modular and scalable mechanical construction that allows a
wide range of flexibility in installation, fabric design, and maintenance. The chassis can be
mounted with the cables facing the front of the equipment rack or to the rear, and consists of the
following:
• Up to four hot-swappable port blade assemblies that can be configured in a single chassis,
delivering up to 192 16 Gbps Fibre Channel ports.
• Two slots for control processor blades (CP8):
-A single active CP8 blade can control all 192 ports in the chassis.
-The standby CP8 blade assumes control of the Brocade DCX 8510-4 if the active CP fails.
• Two slots for core switch blades (CR16-4):
-CR16-4 blade interconnects all port blades.
-Inter-chassis link (ICL) connectors to connect to as many as nine neighboring chassis
under Fabric OS v7.0.1. Six chassis can be connected under Fabric OS v7.0.0.
-FS8-18: 16-port, up to 4 blades per chassis, supporting in-flight data cryptographic
(encryption/decryption) and data-compression capabilities.
• Modular, hot-swappable field-replaceable units (FRUs):
-Two blower assemblies.
-Two power supplies (100-240 VAC auto-sensing).
At 110 VAC (nominal): A minimum of two power supplies is required, regardless of the
number of port or application blades. This configuration does not support high
availability.
220 VAC (nominal) is recommended for efficiency. A second power supply is required
to support high availability.
Redundant AC primary power connections ensure high availability. Each power supply
has its own connector, so the number of primary power connections is two for
optimum efficiency and redundancy.
-Two WWN cards.
-Blades use small form-factor pluggable (SFP+ and mSFP) optical transceivers. SFP+ and
mSFP transceivers support speeds of 2, 4, 8, 10, or 16 Gbps.
1
The 8-Gbps SFP+s and mSFPs auto-negotiate at 2, 4, and 8 Gbps. The 16-Gbps SFP+s
auto-negotiate at 4, 8, and 16 Gbps. The 10 Gbps speeds must be manually set and
require special 10 Gbps SFP+ transceivers.
-QSFP-based inter-chassis link (ICL) cabling running at 64 Gbps (four 16 Gbps clustered in
a single quad connector and cable).
• Blades that are serviced from the port side of the Brocade DCX 8510-4. Blowers, power
supplies, and power cables that are serviced from the nonport side.
• World Wide Name (WWN) cards on the nonport side, with WWN status LEDs located under the
bezel.
• Two vertical cable management finger assemblies and a redesigned chassis door for improved
Airflow in the Brocade DCX 8510-4 is from the nonport side to the left side and port side of the
chassis (viewed from the port side) and out the exhaust vents. If you use the Port Side Exhaust Kit,
the air vents are all on the port side of the chassis (see Figure 2).
Figure 1 displays a sample configuration of the port side of the Brocade DCX 8510-4.
Tab le 1 summarizes the port, application, control processor, and core switch blades that are
available for the Brocade DCX 8510-4.
TABLE 1Blades available for the Brocade DCX 8510-4
DescriptionNameFunction
Brocade DCX 8510-4 blades
1
Brocade DCX 8510-4
control processor
blade
Brocade DCX 8510-4
core switch blade
64-port 8-Gbps port
blade
32-port 8-Gbps port
blade
48-port 8-Gbps port
blade
32-port 16-Gbps port
blade
48-port 16-Gbps port
blade
Storage encryption
blade
FCIP extension bladeFX8-24The FX8-24 blade enables FCIP functionality over existing IP
CP8The CP8 blade contains the control plane for the chassis. There
are two CP8 blades for redundancy. This control processor blade
is compatible with the Brocade DCX 8510-8, Brocade DCX 8510-4,
Brocade DCX, and Brocade DCX-4S.
CR16-4The CR16-4 blade contains the ASICs for switching between port
blades. Every port blade connects to each core switch blade.
There can be up to 192 16 Gbps (256 8 Gbps) total ports for port
blades. Each core switch blade connects to 128 backplane ports.
Core switch blades have additional front port connectivity to
connect multiple chassis and backplane connections for the
storage server blade. This core switch blade is compatible only
with the Brocade DCX 8510-4.
FC8-64A 64-port Brocade port blade supporting 2, 4, and 8 Gbps port
speeds with mSFPs. This port blade is compatible with the
Brocade DCX 8510-8, Brocade DCX 8510-4, Brocade DCX, and
Brocade DCX-4S.
FC8-32EA 32-port Brocade port blade supporting 2, 4, and 8 Gbps Fibre
Channel port speeds. This port blade is compatible with the
Brocade DCX 8510-8 and Brocade DCX 8510-4. This blade
requires Fabric OS v7.0.1 or later to run in this chassis.
FC8-48EA 48-port Brocade port blade supporting 2, 4, and 8 Gbps Fibre
Channel port speeds. This port blade is compatible with the
Brocade DCX 8510-8 and Brocade DCX 8510-4. This blade
requires Fabric OS v7.0.1 or later to run in this chassis.
FC16-32A 32-port Brocade port blade supporting 2, 4, 8, 10, and 16 Gbps
Fibre Channel port speeds. The blade also supports port-based
in-flight encryption/decryption and compression/decompression.
This port blade is compatible with the Brocade DCX 8510-8 and
Brocade DCX 8510-4.
FC16-48A 48-port Brocade port blade supporting 2, 4, 8, 10, and 16 Gbps
Fibre Channel port speeds. The blade also supports port-based
in-flight encryption/decryption and compression/decompression.
This port blade is compatible with the Brocade DCX 8510-8 and
Brocade DCX 8510-4.
FS8-18The FS8-18 blade enables data cryptographic
(encryption/decryption) and data-compression capabilities for
data-at-rest. It has 16 Fibre Channel optical SFP ports. This
application blade is compatible with the Brocade DCX 8510-8,
Brocade DCX 8510-4, Brocade DCX, and Brocade DCX-4S.
infrastructure. It has 12 FC ports, ten 1 GbE ports, and two 10
GbE ports available. This application blade is compatible with the
Brocade DCX 8510-8, Brocade DCX 8510-4, Brocade DCX, and
Brocade DCX-4S.
The following features contribute to the Brocade DCX 8510-4 high-availability design:
• Redundant, hot-swappable FRUs, including blades, power supplies, blowers, and WWN cards
• Enhanced data integrity on all data paths
• Fabric Shortest Path First (FSPF) rerouting around failed links
• Integration with Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) managers
• Automatic control processor failover
• Nondisruptive “hot” software code loads and activation
• Easy configuration, save, and restore
The high-availability software architecture of the Brocade DCX 8510-4 provides a common
framework for all applications that reside on the system, allowing global and local states to be
maintained through any component failure. High-availability elements consist of the High
Availability Manager, the heartbeat, the fault/health framework, the replicated database,
initialization, and software upgrade.
Reliability
The High Availability Manager controls access to the standby control processor, facilitates software
upgrades, prevents extraneous CP failover activity, closes and flushes streams, provides flow
control and message buffering, and supports a centralized active and standby state.
The Brocade DCX 8510-4 uses the following error detection and correction mechanisms to ensure
reliability of data:
• Error Detection and Correction over main control processor memory.
• Error Detection and Correction mechanism, which checks for encoder errors and fault isolation
(EDFI), such as cyclic redundancy checking (CRC), parity checking, checksum, and illegal
address checking.
• Power-on self-test (POST).
• Dual control processors that enable hot, nondisruptive fast firmware upgrades.
• One serial port and two Ethernet ports (on each control processor) for management and for
service. Offline control processor diagnostics and remote diagnostics simplify troubleshooting.
The standby control processor monitors diagnostics to ensure the system is operational should
a failover be necessary.
• Bus monitoring and control of blades and other field-replaceable units (FRUs).
The Brocade DCX 8510-4 provides the following features to enhance and ensure serviceability:
1
• Modular design with hot-swappable components.
• Flash memory that stores two firmware images per control processor.
• USB port on control processor blades for most tasks that formerly required an FTP/SCP server,
including software and firmware upgrades.
• Nonvolatile random-access memory (NVRAM), containing the OEM serial number, Brocade
serial number, revision information, and part number information.
• Background health-check daemon.
• Memory scrubber, self test, and bus ping to determine if a bus is not functioning.
• RASlog messages.
• SMI-S compliant.
• Hardware and software watchdog timers.
• Status LEDs.
• Predictive diagnostics analysis through Fabric Watch.
• SNMP (including version 3) integration with higher-layer managers.
• Cable management using vertical finger assemblies to accommodate the horizontal
orientation of the blades.
Software features
The Fabric OS allows any Fibre Channel-compliant device to attach to the switches as long as it
conforms to the device login, name service, and related Fibre Channel standards. Each operating
environment requires that a Fibre Channel host bus adapter (HBA) be available with a
standards-compliant driver for correct interface to the fabric.
Fabric OS consists of a set of embedded applications running on top of an embedded Linux
operating system kernel. Some of these applications include:
• Name server
• Alias server
• Zone server
• Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) agent
• SMI-S compliant API
• Syslog auditing
• RCS (Reliable Commit Service)
• NTP
• Tasks to manage address assignment, routing, link initialization, fabric initialization, link
shutdown, Brocade DCX 8510-4 shutdown, and the user interface
The following list highlights some of the key security features available for the Brocade DCX 8510-4
and for other Brocade enterprise-class products running Fabric OS 7.0.1 or later. For details,
contact your Brocade DCX 8510-4 supplier and refer to the Brocade White Paper, “The Growing
Need for Security in Storage Area Networks.”
• DH-CHAP
• SSHv2 (using AES, 3DES, RSA)
• HTTPS (using AES)
• SNPMv3
• FC-SP
• Secure RPC
• Secure file copy (SCP)
• Telnet disable
• Telnet ti m e out
• IP filters (block listeners)
• Secure passwords (centralized control through RADIUS/CHAP)
• Multiple user accounts (MUAs). Up to 255.
• Role-based access controls (RBACs)
• Administrative domains/Virtual fabrics
• Boot PROM password reset
• Password hardening policies
• Up front login in Web Tools
• Login banner
• Monitoring of attempted security breaches (through audit logging)