IBM B48Y At-a-glance Reference Manual
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IBM Ethernet Switch B48Y
IBM System x at-a-glance guide
The IBM Ethernet Switch B48Y is a high-performance, feature-rich, easy-to-manage 1 GbE solution for
network device access. Purpose-built for the data center with a wire-speed, non-blocking architecture,
high-availability features including optional redundant and hot-swappable power supplies and fans, and
rack-friendly airflow, the B48Y enables organizations to scale easily in virtualized and non-virtualized data
center environments.
The switch comes fully featured with Layer 2 and Layer 3 capabilities, giving organizations ultimate
flexibility in deployment options. With the optional 4-port 10 GbE interface module, a row of up to eight
switches can be unified into a single logical chassis with 384 ports using IronStack technology, greatly
simplifying management and increasing virtual machine mobility.
The switch runs a feature-rich and mature IronWare operating system with an industry-standard
command-line interface (CLI), minimizing re-training and operational costs. Supporting a full range of RFC
and IEEE standards for interoperability, along with compatibility for vendor-specific protocols such as
Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP) and Per-VLAN Rapid Spanning Tree Plus (PVRST+), the B48Y
integrates seamlessly into existing network infrastructures.
Figure 1. IBM Ethernet Switch B48Y with optional 4-port 10 GbE SFP+ interface module (front view)
Figure 2. IBM Ethernet Switch B48Y (back view)
Did you know
As server utilization increases due to virtualization on more powerful hardware such as the IBM innovative
eX5 architecture, so does the average and burst bandwidth utilization on the switches in the network. To
alleviate these performance bottlenecks, the B48Y is capable of supporting four 10 GbE uplinks, double
the bandwidth of most standard 1 GbE switches, to enable near 1:1 subscription during periods of heavy
traffic flows with extremely low port-to-port latencies. Even with its outstanding performance, the B48Y is
highly power efficient, using up to 36% less power than competing switches.
IBM Ethernet Switch B48Y 1
To ease manageability, up to eight switches can be stacked together to create a single logical chassis of
384 ports. All switches in the same stack share a single configuration file, IP address, and interface
addressing scheme. This solution can be a cost-effective alternative to a design using an end-of-row,
modular chassis. The IBM B48Y is complemented by a full Ethernet and IP product portfolio, allowing an
organization to standardize on a network infrastructure running on the proven IronWare operating system.
Part number information
Table 1 lists the orderable part numbers for the B48Y and associated options through System x.
Table 1. IBM part numbers and feature codes for ordering
Description IBM part number
IBM feature code
IBM Ethernet Switch B48Y 0563-022 0563-HCF
4-port 10 GbE Interface Module (SFP+) (enables stacking) 81Y1455 6687
210 W AC Power Supply (for 1+1 redundancy) 81Y1451 6685
10 GbE 300 m, SFP+, 10GBASE-SR (duplex LC, MMF, 850
nm, OM)
69Y0389 6416
The IBM Ethernet Switch B48Y (0563-022/0563-HCF) ships with the following:
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One IBM Ethernet Switch B48Y, which includes:
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Fourty-eight 10/100/1000 MbE RJ-45 ports
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One open interface module slot for an optional 4-port 10 GbE (SFP+) module
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One out-of-band 10/100/1000 MbE RJ-45 management port
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One DB9 male serial console port
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One hot-swappable quad-fan fan tray
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One (of two) 210 W AC hot-swappable power supplys
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One 1.5 m DB9 female-to-DB9 female straight-through serial console cable
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Rack mount brackets for mounting into an EIA-310D compliant rack
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IBM Ethernet Switch y-series Installation and User Guide
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Statement of limited warranty
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Brocade end user license agreement
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Safety and regulatory notices
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CD-ROM with manuals and environmental notices
Note: Qualified SFP+ transceivers are required for each SFP+ port on the optional module and are not
included.
IBM Ethernet Switch B48Y 2
Power cords are not included and must be specified at the time of order. The B48Y has a C14 inlet to
receive a C13 power plug. Table 2 lists the available power cable options.
Table 2. Power cord options
Description IBM part number
Line cord – 2.8 m, 10A/230V, C13 to CEE7-VII (Europe) 39Y7917
Line cord – 2.8 m, 10A/250V, C13 to DK2-5a (Denmark) 39Y7918
Line cord – 2.8 m, 10A/250V, C13 to SEV 1011-S24507 (Swiss) 39Y7919
Line cord – 2.8 m, 10A/250V, C13 to SI 32 (Israel) 39Y7920
Line cord – 2.8 m, 10A/250V, C13 to SABS 164 (S. Africa) 39Y7922
Line cord – 2.8 m, 10A/250V, C13 to BS 1363/A (UK) 39Y7923
Line cord – 2.8 m, 10A/250V, C13 to AS/NZ 3112 (Australia/NZ) 39Y7924
Line cord – 2.8 m, 220-240V, C13 to KETI (S. Korea) 39Y7925
Line cord – 2.8 m, 10A/250V, C13 to (2P+Gnd) (India) 39Y7927
Line cord – 2.8 m, 220-240V, C13 to GB 2099.1 (China) 39Y7928
Line cord – 2.8 m, 125V, C13 to NBR 6147 (Brazil) 39Y7929
Line cord – 2.8 m, 10A/250V, C13 to IRAM 2073 (Australia) 39Y7930
Line cord – 4.3 m, 10A/125V, C13 to NEMA 5-15P (US) 39Y7931
Line cord – 4.3 m, 10A/100-250V, C13 to IEC 320-C14 39Y7932
Line cord – 1.5 m, 10A/100-250V, C13 to IEC 320-C14 39Y7937
Each SFP+ optical transceiver, such as the 10GBASE-SR SFP+, requires fiber optic cabling with duplex
LC connectors to connect to another optical transceiver. See the “Network cabling requirements” section
for additional details.
Each 10/100/1000 MbE RJ-45 port requires copper CAT 5e or higher cabling for connectivity. Table 3 lists
the available copper cable options.
Table 3. Ethernet copper cable (RJ-45) options
Description IBM part number
0.6 m Ethernet cable (blue) 40K5679
1.5 m Ethernet cable (blue) 40K8785
3 m Ethernet cable (blue) 40K5581
10 m Ethernet cable (blue) 40K8927
25 m Ethernet cable (blue) 40K8930
IBM Ethernet Switch B48Y 3
Table 4 lists the orderable part numbers for additional options available through IBM System Networking
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HVEC channels.
Table 4. IBM part numbers and feature codes for ordering (System Networking HVEC)
Description IBM part number
4-port 100/1000 MbE Interface Module (SFP, works as
combination ports)
10 GbE 10 km, SFP+, 10GBASE-LR (duplex LC, SMF, 1310
nm, OM)
10 GbE Direct Attach SFP+, 1 m, Active TwinAx copper
cable
10 GbE Direct Attach SFP+, 3 m, Active TwinAx copper
cable
10 GbE Direct Attach SFP+, 5 m, Active TwinAx copper
cable
1 GbE 550 m SFP, 1000BASE-SX (duplex LC, MMF, 850
nm, OM)
1 GbE 10 km SFP, 1000BASE-LX (duplex LC, SMF, 1310
nm, OM)
1 GbE 70 km SFP, 1000BASE-LHA (duplex LC, SMF, 1550
nm, OM)
100 MbE 2 km SFP, 100BASE-FX (duplex LC, MMF, 1310
nm, OM)
IBM feature code
45W5943 1002
45W4264 2131
45W2398 2711
45W2408 2731
45W3039 2751
45W2815 2211
45W2816 2212
45W2817 2213
45W2817 2216
100 MbE 40 km SFP, 100BASE-FX-LR (duplex LC, SMF,
1310 nm, OM)
45W7552 2218
Note: OM = optical monitoring supported. SMF = single-mode fiber. MMF = multi-mode fiber. The MMF
distance supported depends on the cabling type. Use OM3 50
m (2000 MHz*km) MMF to support the
farthest distances.
No transceivers are required unless an optional interface module is ordered.
The optional 4-port 10 GbE SFP+ Interface Module (81Y1455) requires 10 GbE SFP+ transceivers for
connectivity. While these higher-bandwidth ports are typically used for uplinks to an Aggregation or Core
switch, they can also be connected to end devices such as servers. IronStack is supported over two of
these 10 Gbps ports. Cee the “IronStack technology” section for additional details.
Note: The default configuration on the switch sets the first two ports on the optional 4-port 10 GbE SFP+
Interface Module as stack ports. To use all ports on the switch as regular Ethernet ports, the global CLI
command stack disable can be configured to disable stacking. See the
FastIron Configuration Guide
for
additional configuration details.
IBM Ethernet Switch B48Y 4
10 GbE SFP+ optical –SR (10GBASE-SR) transceivers support distances up to 300 m, ideal for
connectivity within a data center. 10 GbE SFP+ optical –LR (10GBASE-LR) transceivers support extended
distances up to 10 km.
Figure 3. SFP+/SFP optical transceiver, receives duplex LC connectors
For cost-effective server connectivity within a rack, 10 GbE copper direct-attach SFP+ active TwinAx
cables are available. These cables have two 10 GbE SFP+ transceivers attached on either end of the
cable and have been tested for compatibility with the Brocade 10Gb CNA, QLogic 10Gb CNA, and
Emulex 10Gb Virtual Fabric Adapter for IBM System x. Compatibility with other 10 GbE server adapters
and network devices is up to the user to determine.
Figure 4. 10 GbE Direct Attach SFP+ TwinAx Cable
IBM Ethernet Switch B48Y 5
IronStack technology
Table 5 lists several technology options available for the access layer of the network.
Table 5. Technology options available for the access layer of the network
Fixed port switches
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Pros: low acquisition costs
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Cons: switches need to be
managed individually
Fi xed port, stackable switches
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Pros: flexible, pay as you
go, cost-effective
management
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Cons: performance
compared with modular
chassis
Modular switch chassis
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Pros: high performance,
port density, availability
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Cons: initial acquisition
cost, price per port
Organizations need a flexible network architecture that can be reconfigured easily as they grow, while
keeping management complexity down. Stacking allows multiple, discrete switches to be aggregated into
a single logical device, simplifying deployment and ongoing management. Fixed port, stackable switches
provide chassis-like operations such as single IP management, cross-switch link aggregation, local
switching of data within a stack, and port mirroring at near the economies of fixed port switches.
IronStack technology found on the IBM Ethernet Switch B48Y and matured over several product
generations provides such capabilities along with resilient operations including automatic switch failover,
hot switch insertion and removal, and automatic detection of shortest path when the network changes.
IBM Ethernet Switch B48Y 6
The optional 4-port 10 GbE SFP+ Interface Module (81Y1455) is required to build a stack. No additional
licenses are required. Stacking can be done over one or two of the 10 Gbps ports on the switch, providing
20 Gbps of bandwidth between stack members. The remaining two or three 10 Gbps ports can be used to
carry regular data traffic. Stacking is supported in both ring and linear topologies (Figure 5).
Figure 5. IronStack technology found on the B48Y enables a logical chassis of up to 384 ports
Consider using a ring or closed-loop topology to ensure un-interrupted stack operation in the event of a
switch or link failure. Within the stack is an Active Controller, which handles stack management and
configures all system and interface-level features, and a Standby Controller, which takes over if the Active
Controller fails. Feature configuration in a stacked setup similar to a chassis whereby interfaces are
identified in a <stack unit #>/<port region>/<port number> manner.
Regular 10GBASE-SR transceivers (69Y0389) and multi-mode fiber cable can be used to connect two
stack members over distances of up to 300 meters. This enables splitting a stack across multiple rooms
or floors for flexibility. In stacks of more than two switches, the distance between the other stacked units
can be up to 100 meters, allowing for a total ringed cable loop of 1,000 meters between eight stacked
units, ideal for most stack deployments.
More common within the data center is stacking across a row of servers, which can be done using
lower-cost SFP+ TwinAx cables (Table 4) if the switches are less than 5 meters apart. To stay within the
cabling distances of these Direct Attach Cables, a cabling method such as that illustrated in Figure 6 can
be used.
Figure 6. Using IronStack to unify the network layer across a row of servers into a single logical device
IBM Ethernet Switch B48Y 7
Any standards-based network device can connect to the switch stack. To these network devices, the
multiple discrete switches in a stack look like a single switch. Network devices can utilize
standards-based 802.3ad Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) or static link aggregation connected
across multiple switch stack members to support multi-device hardware redundancy. No special setup is
required.
You can also support multi-device hardware redundancy within a rack using IronStack between the two
access switches in the same rack. This allows servers to connect to the two access switches in an
active-active configuration using standards-based link aggregation protocols, maximizing bandwidth while
also simplifying configuration. Figure 7 illustrates this topology.
Figure 7. Using IronStack within the rack enables multi-device redundancy while increasing bandwidth
utilization
Features and benefits
Features and benefits are:
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Comprehensive standards support: Supporting a wide range of open IEEE and RFC standards, the
B48Y is fully interoperable with existing network environments. In addition, the B48Y supports
vendor-specific protocols such as Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP), native support for Per-VLAN
Rapid Spanning Tree Plus (PVRST+), and static trunks to EtherChannel for further supportability.
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IronStack technology: IronStack enables multiple discrete switches to be unified together into a single
logical chassis, enabling multi-device hardware redundancy, speeding up infrastructure rollouts, and
simplifying management operations. Unifying the access layer can reduce the need for spanning tree
protocol, which increases bandwidth utilization and helps flatten the network.
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Double the uplink bandwidth: Supports up to four 10 Gbps uplinks, double the uplink bandwidth of
common 1 Gbps switches. With full-line rate traffic on all ports, 1:1 internal subscription, and up to
176 Gbps of internal forwarding performance, the B48Y ensures that your network devices have the
bandwidth that they require.
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Built for the data center: The B48Y features back-to-front airflow, allowing installation into racks with a
hot-cold aisle design without the need for complicated air baffles. All ports are found on the front side
of the switch for easy serviceability.
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Fully featured L2/L3 switch: Dynamic Layer 3 routing, advanced Layer 2 features such as Q-in-Q,
protected links, and advanced quality of service (QoS) are all included in the base, eliminating
complicated licensing schemes.
IBM Ethernet Switch B48Y 8
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