Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.
Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, and PowerConnect are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Microsoft and Windows are registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products.
Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
This document provides basic information to install, configure, and operate
Dell™ PowerConnect™ M6348 systems. For more information, see the
which is available on your
support.dell.com
for the latest updates on documentation and firmware.
User Documentation
CD, or check the Dell Support web site at
Site Preparation
Before installing the switch, make sure that the chosen installation location meets the site
requirements specified in the
Hardware Owner’s Manual
.
Unpacking the Switch
Package Contents
When unpacking each switch, make sure that the following items are included:
•One PowerConnect switch
•One USB type A-to-DB9 serial cable
User Documentation
•
•Getting Started Guide
•Product Information Guide
CD
Hardware Owner’s Manual
,
Unpacking Steps
NOTE: Before unpacking the switch, inspect the container and immediately report any evidence of
damage.
Place the container on a clean, flat surface and cut all straps securing the container.
1
2
Open the container or remove the container top.
3
Carefully remove the switch from the container and place it on a secure and clean surface.
4
Remove all packing material.
5
Inspect the product and accessories for damage.
Getting Started Guide5
Connecting a Switch to a Terminal
1
Connect the DB9 connector of the USB-to-DB9 serial cable to a VT100 terminal or to a
computer running VT100 terminal emulation software.
2
Connect the USB connector at the other end to the USB port on the switch.
NOTE: If you are installing a stack of switches, connect the terminal to the Master Switch. When a stack
is powered up for the first time, the switches elect the Master Switch, which may occupy any location in
the stack. If you connect the terminal to a member (non-Master) switch, you will not be able to use the
command line interface (CLI).
Assembling a Stack
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The software supports up to 12 stacked switches, supporting up to 576 1G ports. Each
PowerConnect M6348 switch provides two stacking ports at the bottom of the switch.
CAUTION: Ensure that a switch is turned off before adding it to the stack.
Use the 1-meter stacking cables to connect the stacking ports in the following manner:
1
Insert a stacking cable in the bottom stacking port on the first switch.
2
Connect the cable to the upper stacking port on the next switch.
3
Continue connecting each switch to the next until all switches are connected in a ring.
4
On the last switch in the stack, connect the cable to the upper stacking port on the first
switch to create a loop.
If necessary, use a separately purchased 3-meter stacking cable to connect the last switch to
the first.
Figure 1 shows a chassis with six connected M6348 switches.
6Getting Started Guide
Figure 1. Connecting a Stack of Switches
upper and lower
stacking ports
stacking cable
NOTE: The resulting ring topology allows the entire stack to function as a single switch with resilient
fail-over capabilities.
Getting Started Guide7
Starting and Configuring the Switch
After completing all external connections, connect a terminal to a switch to configure the switch
or stack. Additional advanced functions are described in the
User Documentation
NOTE: Read the release notes for this product before proceeding. You can download the release notes
from the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
NOTE: We recommend that you obtain the most recent version of the user documentation from the Dell
Support website at support.dell.com.
CD.
User's Guide
located on your
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Connecting the Terminal to the Switch
To monitor and configure the switch via serial console, use the console port on the rear of the
switch to connect it to a VT100 terminal or to a computer running VT100 terminal emulation
software. The console port is implemented as a data terminal equipment (DTE) connector.
The following is required to use the console port:
•VT100-compatible terminal or a desktop or a portable system with a serial port, running
VT100 terminal emulation software.
•A serial cable (provided) with a USB type A connector for the console port and DB9
connector for the terminal.
Perform the following tasks to connect a terminal to the switch console port:
NOTE: If you are installing a stack of switches, you need to assemble and cable the stack before
powering up and configuring it.
Connect the DB9 connector on the serial cable to the terminal running VT100 terminal emulation
1
software.
2
Configure the terminal emulation software as follows:
a
Select the appropriate serial port (serial port 1 or serial port 2) to connect to the console.
b
Set the data rate to 9600 baud.
c
Set the data format to 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, and no parity.
d
Set the flow control to none.
e
Set the terminal emulation mode to
f
Select Terminal keys for Function, Arrow, and Ctrl keys. Make sure that the setting is for
Terminal keys (not Microsoft
VT100
®
Windows® keys).
.
NOTE: When using HyperTerminal with Microsoft Windows 2000, make sure that you have Windows
2000 Service Pack 2 or later installed. With Windows 2000 Service Pack 2, the arrow keys function
properly in HyperTerminal's VT100 emulation. Go to www.microsoft.com for more information on
Windows 2000 service packs.
8Getting Started Guide
3
Connect the USB type A connector on the USB cable directly to the switch USB console port.
The PowerConnect M6348 USB console port is located on the left side of the rear panel, as
shown in Figure 2.
NOTE: If you are installing a stack of switches, connect the terminal to the Master Switch. When a stack
is powered up for the first time, the switches elect the Master Switch, which may occupy any location in
the stack. If you connect the terminal to a member switch, you will not be able to use the CLI.
Figure 2. Connecting to the Console Port
console port
Booting the Switch
Refer to the
Hardware Owner’s Manual
for instructions on booting the switch.
Initial Configuration
NOTE: The initial simple configuration procedure is based on the following assumptions:
•The PowerConnect switch was never configured before and is in the same state as when you
received it.
•The PowerConnect switch booted successfully.
•The console connection was established and the Dell Easy Setup Wizard prompt appears on the
screen of a VT100 terminal or terminal equivalent.
The initial switch configuration is performed through the console port. After the initial
configuration, you can manage the switch either from the already-connected console port or
remotely through an interface defined during the initial configuration.
NOTE: The switch is not configured with a default user name and password.
NOTE: All of the settings below are necessary to allow the remote management of the switch through
Telnet (Telnet client) or HTTP (Web browser).
Getting Started Guide9
Before setting up the initial configuration of the switch, obtain the following information from
your network administrator:
•The IP address to be assigned to the management VLAN.
•The IP subnet mask for the network.
•The IP address of the management VLAN default gateway.
Initial Configuration Procedure
You can perform the initial configuration using the Dell Easy Setup Wizard, or by using the
Command Line Interface (CLI). The Setup Wizard automatically starts when the switch
configuration file is empty. You can exit the wizard at any point by entering [ctrl+z], but all
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configuration settings specified will be discarded (the switch will use the default values).
For more information on CLI initial configuration see the
shows how to use the Setup Wizard for initial switch configuration. The wizard sets up the following
configuration on the switch:
•Establishes the initial privileged user account with a valid password. The wizard configures
one privileged user account during the setup.
•Enables CLI login and HTTP access to use the local authentication setting only.
•Sets up the IP address for the management VLAN.
•Sets up the SNMP community string to be used by the SNMP manager at a given IP address.
You may choose to skip this step if SNMP management is not used for this switch.
•Allows you to specify the management server IP or permit management access from all IP
addresses.
•Configures the default gateway IP address.
User Guide
. This
Getting Started Guide
Example Session
This section describes an Easy Setup Wizard session. The following values are used by the example
session:
•The SNMP community string to be used is
•The network management system IP address is
•The user name is
•The IP address for the management VLAN is
•The default gateway is
10Getting Started Guide
admin
, and password is
0.0.0.0
DellNetworkManager
192.168.2.1
admin123
192.168.2.1:255.255.255.0
.
.
.
.
.
The setup wizard configures the initial values as defined above. After you complete the wizard,
the switch is configured as follows:
•SNMPv1/2c is enabled and the community string is set up as defined above. SNMPv3 is
disabled by default.
•The admin user account is set up as defined.
•A network management system is configured. From this management station, you can access
the SNMP, HTTP, and CLI interfaces. You may also choose to allow all IP addresses to access
these management interfaces by choosing the (0.0.0.0) IP address.
•An IP address is configured for the default management VLAN (1).
•A default gateway address is configured.
NOTE: In the example below, the possible user options are enclosed in [ ]. Also, where possible, the
default value is provided in { }. If you press <Enter> with no options defined, the default value is accepted.
Help text is in parentheses.
The following example contains the sequence of prompts and responses associated with running an
example Dell Easy Setup Wizard session, using the input values listed above.
After the switch completes the POST and is booted, the following dialog appears:
Unit 1 - Waiting to select management unit)>
Applying configuration, please wait ...
Welcome to Dell Easy Setup Wizard
The Setup Wizard guides you through the initial switch
configuration, and gets you up and running as quickly as possible.
You can skip the setup wizard, and enter CLI mode to manually
configure the switch. You must respond to the next question to run
the setup wizard within 60 seconds, otherwise the system will
continue with normal operation using the default system
configuration.Note: You can exit the setup wizard at any point by
entering [ctrl+z].
Would you like to run the setup wizard (you must answer this
question within 60 seconds)? [Y/N] y
Step 1:
The system is not setup for SNMP management by default. To manage
the switch using SNMP (required for Dell Network Manager) you can
. Set up the initial SNMP version 2 account now.
. Return later and setup other SNMP accounts. (For more
information on setting up an SNMP version 1 or 3 account, see
the user documentation).
Would you like to setup the SNMP management interface now? [Y/N] n
Getting Started Guide11
Step 2:
Now we need to setup your initial privilege (Level 15) user
account. This account is used to login to the CLI and Web
interface. You may setup other accounts and change privilege
levels later. For more information on setting up user accounts and
changing privilege levels, see the user documentation.
To setup a user account:
Please enter the user name. [root]:root
Please enter the user password:********
Please reenter the user password:********
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Step 3:
Next, an IP address is setup. The IP address is defined on the
default VLAN (VLAN #1), of which all ports are members. This is the
IP address you use to access the CLI, Web interface, or SNMP
interface for the switch. Optionally you may request that the
system automatically retrieve an IP address from the network via
DHCP (this requires that you have a DHCP server running on the
network).
To setup an IP address:
Please enter the IP address of the device (A.B.C.D) or enter "DHCP"
(without the quotes) to automatically request an IP address from
the network DHCP server. [192.168.2.1]:192.168.2.1
Please enter the IP subnet mask (A.B.C.D or /nn).
[255.255.255.0]:255.255.255.0
Step 4:
Finally, setup the default gateway. Please enter the IP address of
the gateway from which this network is reachable. [0.0.0.0]:
This is the configuration information that has been collected:
User Account setup = root
Password = ********
Management IP address = 192.168.2.1 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway = 0.0.0.0
Step 5:
Do you want to select the operational mode as Simple Mode? [Y/N] n
12Getting Started Guide
Step 6:
If the information is correct, please select (Y) to save the
configuration, and copy to the start-up configuration file. If the
information is incorrect, select (N) to discard configuration and
restart the wizard: [Y/N] y
Thank you for using Dell Easy Set up Wizard. You will now enter CLI
mode.
Managing a Stack
Master and Member Switches
A stack of switches can be managed as a single entity when connected together. The stack can be
managed from a web-based interface, an SNMP management station, or a CLI. When a stack is
created, one switch automatically becomes the master switch. You can manually allocate an IP
address to the master switch using the console, or let DHCP do so automatically. Afterwards,
you can manage the entire stack through the IP address of the Master Switch. The Master Switch
detects and reconfigures the ports with minimal operational impact in the event of:
•Switch failure
•Inter-switch stacking link failure
•Switch insertion
•Switch removal
If the Master Switch goes off line, any of the Member Switches in the stack can replace it.
The system will elect a new Master Switch and reconfigure the System Configuration for the stack.
Stack Startup
Topology Discovery
When a stack is formed, a topology discovery process builds up a database that contains
information about all of the switches in the stack, including the Firmware Version, Hardware
Version, Management Preference, Switch MAC Address, and Switch Serial Number. You can use
the command line interface (CLI) or the Web interface to view this information.
NOTE: See the CLI Reference Manual and the User’s Guide for assistance with the CLI and Web
interface, respectively.
Getting Started Guide13
Auto Stack ID Assignment
During the stack formation process, every switch is assigned a Stack ID. Once Stack ID assignment
is complete, each switch saves its Stack ID into the nonvolatile FLASH memory. You can use the
CLI or the Web interface to view the stack IDs.
Firmware Version Checking
Following Stack ID assignment, the Master Switch performs a consistency check to make sure that
all switches in the stack are running the same firmware version.
If the switch software versions do not match, then the ports on the member switch will not become
valid for operation. This condition is known as the Suspended Stacking Mode. You can then
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synchronize the firmware on the member switch with the firmware that is running on the Master
Switch.
System Initialization
If the Master Switch determines during the firmware version consistency check that all switches are
running the same version of firmware, the switch will be initialized for Stacking Mode.
System Initialization for Normal Stacking Mode
The Master Switch will initialize the stack using the last saved system configuration file. For those
switches that do not have a configuration file, the system will apply default settings to those
switches.
If the configuration file is corrupted, the Master Switch will initialize the stack and set it to the
Factory Default Configuration.
You can save the configuration file. The Master Switch automatically distributes the configuration
file to the member switches. If the Master Switch later becomes unavailable, a Member Switch
becomes the new Master Switch and configures the stack with the latest configuration
synchronized from the Master Switch.
System Initialization for Suspended Stacking Mode
After system initialization is complete, the Master Switch will enter Suspended Stacking Mode if
the firmware versions of the stack are inconsistent. In this mode, only the Master Switch is
initialized with configuration file information. None of the member switches are initialized.
This forces all member switches to remain in non-operational mode.
NOTE: All ports disabled by default.
14Getting Started Guide
CLI/ Telnet/ Web Interface
You can use the CLI / WEB / SNMP to synchronize the firmware that is stored in the Master
Switch to a member switch.
Insertion and Removal of Switches
You can insert and remove switches to/from the current stack without cycling the power. The entire
network may be affected when a topology change occurs, as a stack reconfiguration will take place.
A new Master Switch will not be re-elected, unless the Master Switch was removed from the stack.
Stack reconfiguration takes a maximum of two minutes in a stack of twelve switches, less time for
smaller stacks.
Operating as Standalone Switch
If a switch cannot detect a stacking partner on a port enabled for stacking, the switch will operate
as a standalone switch. If a stacking partner is detected, the switch will always operate in stacking
mode.
Stack ID Renumbering
You can manually assign Stack IDs to a switch. A switch can only be assigned a Stack ID that has
not already been assigned to another switch in the stack. Any configuration information that was
saved for the new Stack ID is applied to the switch that is taking that Stack ID.
User Controls
Use the following CLI commands to control this feature. See the
on the syntax of each command.
movemanagement
reload
member
set description
switch priority
switch renumber
stacking
show stack-port
show stack-port counters
show stack-port diag
show switch
show supported switchtype
CLI Reference Manual
Getting Started Guide15
for details
Advanced Configuration
This section provides summary information about such common tasks as:
•Retrieving an IP Address From a DHCP Server
•Security Management and Password Configuration
NOTE: For detailed information on all the CLI commands available for the 8024 and 8024F M6348
switches, see the CLI Reference Guide.
Retrieving an IP Address From a DHCP Server
When using the DHCP protocol to retrieve an IP address, the switch acts as a DHCP client.
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To retrieve an IP address from a DHCP server, perform the following steps:
1
Select and connect any port to a DHCP server or to a subnet that has a DHCP server on it,
in order to retrieve the IP address.
NOTE: You do not need to delete the switch configuration to retrieve an IP address for the D HCP server.
Enter the following commands to use the selected port for receiving the IP address.
2
console#config
console(config)#ip address dhcp
The interface receives the IP address automatically.
3
To verify the IP address, enter the show ip interface command at the system prompt as shown
in the following example.
console#show ip interface
Management Interface:
IP Address....................................... 10.240.4.125
System security is handled through the AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting)
mechanism that manages user access rights, privileges, and management methods. AAA uses both
local and remote user databases. Data encryption is handled through the SSH mechanism.
The system is delivered with no default password configured; all passwords are user-defined. If a
user-defined password is lost, a password recovery procedure can be invoked from the Boot menu.
The procedure is applicable for the local terminal only and allows a one-time access to the switch
from the local terminal with no password entered.
Configuring Security Passwords
The security passwords can be configured for the following services:
•Console
•Telnet
•SSH
•HTTP
•HTTPS
NOTE: When creating a user name, the default priority is "1", which allows access but not configuration
rights. A priority of "15" must be set to enable access and configuration rights to the switch.
Getting Started Guide17
Configuring an Initial Console Password
To configure an initial console password, enter the following commands:
console(config)#aaa authentication login default line
console(config)#aaa authentication enable default line
To configure an initial HTTPS password, enter the following commands:
console(config)#ip https authentication local
NOTE: You should generate a new crypto certificate each time you upgrade (install a new version of)
the control software application on the switch.
Enter the following commands once when configuring to use an HTTPS session over a console,
a Telnet, or an SSH session.
NOTE: In the Web browser enable SSL 2.0 or greater for the page content to appear.
console(config)#crypto certificate 1 generate
console(config)#ip https server
NOTE: Http and Https services require level 15 access and connect directly to the configuration level
access.
Getting Started Guide19
Managing the Switch
You can manage the switch by using the Web-based interface, command-line interface (CLI),
or SNMP. To manage the switch by using a Web browser or SNMP, the switch must have an IP
address, and it must be accessible from the management station. To manage the switch by using
the CLI, you can use a direct console connection or a remote Telnet/SSH connection.
To establish a direct console connection to the CLI, see "Connecting the Terminal to the Switch"
on page 8. You can use the Easy Setup Wizard To perform the initial configuration that allows
remote management access (see "Initial Configuration Procedure" on page 10). For instructions on
configuring remote management using the CLI, refer to the
User’s Guide
.
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Using a Web Browser to Manage the Switch
Starting the Application
1
Open a web browser.
2
Enter the switch’s IP address (as defined in the CLI) in the address bar and press <Enter>.
For information about assigning an IP address to a switch, see "Initial Configuration" on
page 9.
3
When the Login window displays, enter a user name and password.
NOTE: The switch is not configured with a default password, and you can configure the switch without
entering a password when you connect to the CLI by using the console port. Passwords are both case
sensitive and alpha-numeric. For information about recovering a lost password, see the User’s Guide.
Click OK.
4
5
The
Dell OpenManage Switch Administrator
Understanding the Interface
The home page contains the following views:
•Tree view — Located on the left side of the home page, the tree view provides an expandable
view of features and their components.
•Device view — Located on the right side of the home page, the device view is used to display
such things as a view of the device, an information or table area, and/or configuration
instructions.