Cisco Nexus 9504 Configuration Manual

Cisco Nexus 9504

Switch Configuration Guide for Dell SC Series SANs

Dell Storage Engineering
June 2016

Date

Description

June 2016

Initial release

Revisions

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2 SCG3252 | Cisco Nexus 9504 Switch Configuration Guide for Dell SC Series SANs

Table of contents

Revisions ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 2

1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................................ 4

1.1 Audience ........................................................................................................................................................................... 4

1.2 Switch details ................................................................................................................................................................... 4

1.3 Cabling diagram .............................................................................................................................................................. 5

2 Dell recommended switch configuration ............................................................................................................................. 6

2.1 Hardware configuration ................................................................................................................................................. 6

2.2 Delete startup configuration ......................................................................................................................................... 6

2.3 Running the basic system configuration .................................................................................................................... 7

2.4 Enabling Jumbo Frames ................................................................................................................................................ 8

2.5 Enabling LLDP .................................................................................................................................................................. 8

2.6 Disabling Data Center Bridging (DCB)......................................................................................................................... 9

2.7 Enable link level flow control (802.3x) ........................................................................................................................ 9

2.8 Configure portfast on edge ports ................................................................................................................................ 9

2.9 Enable switch ports ...................................................................................................................................................... 10

2.10 Save configuration ........................................................................................................................................................ 10

A Additional resources ................................................................................................................................................................. 11

3 SCG3252 | Cisco Nexus 9504 Switch Configuration Guide for Dell SC Series SANs

Cisco Nexus 9504

Switch vendor

Cisco

Switch model

Nexus 9504

Switch firmware

7.0(3)I1(2)

1 Introduction

This document illustrates how to configure a Cisco® Nexus 9504 chassis for use with Dell™ SC Series
storage using Dell best practices. The recommended configuration when using a single chassis is to
configure two I/O modules.

For more information on SC Series SAN design recommendations, see the

Matrix

.

1.1 Audience

This switch configuration guide describes a verified configuration following Dell best practices for a
dedicated SC Series 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 Storage Compatibility

Note: For proper functionality, the switch must be at the 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: www.cisco.com. This site requires a
login credential.

4 SCG3252 | Cisco Nexus 9504 Switch Configuration Guide for Dell SC Series SANs

1.3 Cabling diagram

The cabling diagram shown below represents the Dell recommend method for deploying your servers and
SC Series arrays.

Figure 1 Cabling diagram

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2 Dell recommended switch configuration

These steps show you how to configure a single Cisco Nexus 9504 chassis with two linecard modules that
are installed in Slot 1 and Slot 2.

Note: The configuration steps in this section are only recommended when the switch is used as a
dedicated SAN for iSCSI traffic (not shared with LAN traffic).

2.1 Hardware configuration

1. Power on the chassis

2. Connect a serial cable to the active supervisor management port.

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.

2.2 Delete startup configuration

Note: This example assumes a switch at its default configuration settings. Using the “write erase”
command will set the startup configuration file to its default settings. You should always backup your
configuration settings prior to performing any configuration changes

switch#write erase
Warning: This command will erase the startup-configuration
Do you wish to proceed anyway ? (y/n) [n] y
switch# reload
This command will reboot the system
Do you want to continue? (y/n) [n] y

Note: The switch will reboot.

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2.3 Running the basic system configuration

The following steps use the setup utility to configure connectivity for basic management of the system.

After the switch fully reboots, the following prompts will appear:

Abort Power On Auto Provisioning and continue with normal setup ?(yes/no)[n]: y

---- System Admin Account Setup ---­Do you want to enforce secure password standard (yes/no): yes
Enter the password for "admin": my password
Confirm the password for "admin": my password

---- Basic System Configuration Dialog VDC: 1 ----

This setup utility will guide you through the basic configuration of
the system. Setup configures only enough connectivity for management
of the system.

Please register Cisco Nexus9000 Family devices promptly with your
supplier. Failure to register may affect response times for initial
service calls. Nexus9000 devices must be registered to receive
entitled support services.

Press Enter at anytime to skip a dialog. Use ctrl-c at anytime
to skip the remaining dialogs.
Would you like to enter the basic configuration dialog (yes/no): yes
Create another login account (yes/no) [n]: n
Configure read-only SNMP community string (yes/no) [n]: n
Configure read-write SNMP community string (yes/no) [n]: n
Enter the switch name : my switch name
Continue with Out-of-band (mgmt0) management configuration? (yes/no) [y]: y
Mgmt0 IPv4 address : my IP address
Mgmt0 IPv4 netmask : my netmask
Configure the default gateway? (yes/no) [y]: y
IPv4 address of the default gateway : my gateway
Configure advanced IP options? (yes/no) [n]:n
Enable the telnet service? (yes/no) [n]: y
Enable the ssh service? (yes/no) [y]: n
Configure the ntp server? (yes/no) [n]: n
Configure default interface layer (L3/L2) [L2]: L2
Configure default switchport interface state (shut/noshut) [shut]: shut
Configure CoPP system profile (strict/moderate/lenient/dense/skip) [strict]:skip

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The following configuration will be applied:

<Your settings will be displayed>

Would you like to edit the configuration? (yes/no) [n]: n
Use this configuration and save it? (yes/no) [y]: y
[########################################] 100%
Copy complete.

Log into the switch using the credentials you created.

Note: You must perform port configurations for each individual port that is connected to a storage
controller or a host server interface port, or you can specify a range of ports to configure. This example
assumes all 48 ports on Linecard Modules 1 and 2.

2.4 Enabling Jumbo Frames

switch# configure
switch(config)#system jumbomtu 9216
switch(config)# interface ethernet 1/1-48 , ethernet 2/1-48
switch(config-if-range)# mtu 9216
switch(config-if-range)#exit

Note: By default, Data Center Bridging (DCB) is enabled. This document will provide steps to disable
DCB. Perform all operations during a maintenance window, whereas a temporary loss of
communication between host servers and storage arrays may occur.

2.5 Enabling LLDP

switch(config)#feature lldp
switch(config)#interface ethernet 1/1-48 , ethernet 2/1-48
switch(config-if-range)# lldp receive
switch(config-if-range)# lldp transmit
switch(config-if-range)#exit
switch(config)#exit

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2.6 Disabling Data Center Bridging (DCB)

All steps in Section 2.6 are required in order to properly disable DCB. Also, when upgrading from previous
versions to version 7.0(3)I1(2), Section 2.6 must be performed to properly disable DCB.

switch# configure
switch(config)#lldp tlv-select dcbxp
switch(config)#copy running-config startup-config
switch(config)#no lldp tlv-select dcbxp
switch(config)#exit
switch#copy running-config startup-config

Note: The above steps are needed due to Cisco Bug Number “CSCuo63486 LLDP - link err-disabled
upon reload when dcbx tlv is disabled”.

2.7 Enable link level flow control (802.3x)

You must perform this step for each individual port that is connected to a storage controller or a host
server interface port, or you can specify a range of ports to configure.

switch# configure
switch(config)#interface ethernet 1/1-48 , ethernet 2/1-48
switch(config-if-range)#priority-flow-control mode off
switch(config-if-range)#flowcontrol send off
switch(config-if-range)#flowcontrol receive on
switch(config-if-range)#exit

2.8 Configure portfast on edge ports

switch(config)#interface ethernet 1/1-48 , ethernet 2/1-48
switch(config-if-range)#spanning-tree port type edge
Warning: edge port type (portfast) should only be enabled on ports connected to
a single host. Connecting hubs, concentrators, switches, bridges, etc… to this
interface when edge port type (portfast) is enabled, can cause temporary
bridging loops. Use with CAUTION.
Edge Port Type (Portfast) will be configured in 96 interfaces due to the range
commend but will only have effect when the interfaces are in a non-trunking
mode.
switch(config-if-range)#exit

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2.9 Enable switch ports

The following example enables a range of ports. If preferred, you may enable individual ports as needed.

switch(config)# interface ethernet 1/1-48 , ethernet 2/1-48
switch(config-if-range)# shutdown
switch(config-if-range)# no shutdown
switch (config-if-range)# exit

2.10 Save configuration

switch#copy running-config startup-config

switch#reload

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A Additional resources

Support.dell.com is focused on meeting your needs with proven services and support.

Support.cisco.com for support and information regarding Cisco networking products.

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 Storage Compatibility Matrix:

http://en.community.dell.com/dell-groups/dtcmedia/m/mediagallery/20438558.aspx

For Dell Storage best practices white papers, reference architectures, and sizing guidelines for enterprise
applications and SANs, refer to Dell TechCenter technical publications at: Dell.com/StorageResources.

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