Deployment of Dell Blade switches with an External J ...€¦ · The PowerConnect J-EX8208 modular...

Deployment of Dell Blade switches

with an External J-Series Switches

Dell M8024 Blade Switch

Dell PowerConnect J-EX8208 Switch

Authors: Reza Koohrangpour

Manjesh Siddamurthy

.

_____________________________________________________________________________________ Deployment of Dell Blade Switches with an External J-Series Switches Page ii

THIS WHITE PAPER IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, AND MAY CONTAIN

TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS AND TECHNICAL INACCURACIES. THE CONTENT IS PROVIDED AS IS,

WITHOUT EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND.

© 2011 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction or translation of any part of this work beyond

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DELL badge, PowerConnect, and PowerVault are trademarks of Dell Inc. Juniper Networks, the

Juniper Networks logo, Junos, Steel-Belted Radius, NetScreen, and ScreenOS are registered

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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.

January 2011

_____________________________________________________________________________________ Deployment of Dell Blade Switches with an External J-Series Switches Page 1

CONTENTS

CONTENTS................................................................................................................................................. 1

SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................................. 3

The PowerConnect J-EX8200 Series .......................................................................................................... 3

Simple Switch Mode .................................................................................................................................. 5

TESTING SCENARIOS ............................................................................................................................. 7

Scenario 1: Plugging and playing the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch ................................................. 7

Scenario 2: Configuring VLANs on the internal ports of the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch .............. 8

Scenario 3: Configuring multiple VLANs per internal port to connect to a server NIC with Tag enabled 9

Scenario 4: Configuring multiple Port Aggregation Groups and dedicating specific Uplinks ................. 10

Scenario 5: Adding VLANs in a multi-AG configuration ........................................................................... 11

APPENDIX A - DETAILED SCENARIO METHODOLOGY ............................................................... 14

Scenario 1: Plugging and playing the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch ............................................... 14

On the Dell M8024 switch ................................................................................................................... 14

On the J-EX8208 switch ....................................................................................................................... 14

Scenario 2: Configuring VLANs on the internal ports of the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch ............ 17


On the J-EX8208 switch ....................................................................................................................... 19

Scenario 3: Configuring multiple VLANs per internal port to connect to a server NIC with Tag enabled

................................................................................................................................................................. 21


On the J-EX8208 switch ....................................................................................................................... 23

Scenario 4: Configuring multiple Port Aggregation Groups and dedicating specific Uplinks ................. 25


On the J-EX8208 switch ....................................................................................................................... 27

Scenario 5: Adding VLANs in a multi-AG configuration ........................................................................... 29


On the J-EX8208 switch ....................................................................................................................... 32

Scenario 6: Setting up a straight-through topology with LAG failover ................................................... 34



On the J-EX8208 switch ....................................................................................................................... 36

APPENDIX B - NETWORK SWITCH CONFIGURATION INFORMATION .................................... 37

ABOUT DELL ............................................................................................................................................ 37


SUMMARY

Adding a Dell™ PowerConnect™ Blade (M-Series) switch, with a Dell PowerEdge™ M1000e

modular blade enclosure, to an external PowerConnect™ J-Series Switch is a straightforward

process. The addition of Simple Switch Mode on the Dell PowerConnect™ Blade switch further

simplifies the process, allowing integration into existing network with minimal effort. This

document is part of Simple Connect campaign that includes both Simple Connect for SAN and

Simple Connect for LANs – both targeted at today’s FC SAN and Ethernet LAN environments and

meant to serve as a supplement guide on how to interconnect equipment that makes up

datacenter.

The Dell PowerConnect™ J-Series product family delivers open and flexible solutions for

datacenters and enterprise networks, based on technology from and collaborating with Juniper

Networks. This document provides an easy to use, step by step, guide on how to configure and

deploy DELL™ M-Series 10Gbit/s Blade Switch (M8024) (see Figure 1) with a DELL™ external

PowerConnect™ J-EX8200 Line of Switches.

Figure 1: The Dell PowerConnect™ M8024 switch

The PowerConnect J-EX8200 Series

The PowerConnect J-EX8208 modular Ethernet switch (See Figure 2), a member of the Dell

PowerConnect J-EX Series Ethernet Switches product family, offers a flexible, powerful, and

modular platform that delivers the performance, scalability, and high availability required for

today’s high-density data center, campus aggregation, and core switching environments. With a

total capacity of up to 6.2 Tbps, the EX8208 system provides a complete, end-to-end solution

for the high-performance networks of today and into the future.

http://www.dell.com/us/en/enterprise/networking/switch-powerconnect-m8024/pd.aspx?refid=switch-powerconnect-m8024&s=biz&cs=555

http://www.dell.com/us/en/enterprise/networking/switch-powerconnect-j-8208/pd.aspx?refid=switch-powerconnect-j-8208&s=biz&cs=555


The PowerConnect J-EX8200 series of Ethernet switches exhibit five key characteristics that,

working together, deliver a true enterprise switching solution:

High Reliability: Nothing succeeds like success. That’s why the PowerConnect J-EX8200

Series Ethernet Switches utilize much of the same established technology—including

high-performance application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), system architecture

and Junos operating system—that power some of the world’s largest networks. The

result is a robust, time-tested and highly reliable network infrastructure solution for

high-performance enterprises.

Security Risk Management: The PowerConnect J-EX8200 Series Ethernet Switches are

fully compatible with the Unified Access Control (UAC), delivering an extra layer of

security by first authenticating users and performing virus checks, then enforcing

precise, end-to-end security policies that determine who can access what network

resources, as well as quality of service (QoS) policies to ensure delivery of business

processes. Integrated anomaly-based threat detection provides additional protection by

being able to identify and block distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks.

Network Virtualization: The J-EX8200 Series switches support hardware based generic

routing encapsulation (GRE) tunneling for sending mirrored traffic from remote

locations to monitoring devices in the network operations center for centralized

troubleshooting and analysis, or to build segregated overlay networks without the

challenges associated with Spanning Tree.

Application Control: Successfully managing a network requires knowing how it’s being

used in order to optimize application delivery and maximize efficiency. Integrated high-

performance ASICs on the chassis-based J-EX8200 series of Ethernet switches provide

wire-like speed forwarding for any and all packet sizes. To ensure application traffic is

properly prioritized, the J-EX8200 Series Ethernet Switches support a robust eight QoS

queues per port—more than enough to establish separate queues for control plane,

voice, video and multiple levels of data traffic, with room to converge other networks

such as building automation and security cameras.

Lower TCO: A highly scalable pay-as-you-grow architecture, network designs with lower

power consumption, space and associated cooling requirements, a common operating

system, and unified management tools across the J-Series portfolio all combine to help

reduce operational and capital expenses for J-EX8200 Series Ethernet Switch customers.

The high-performance, high-density platforms let users start small and grow

incrementally, saving valuable space in crowded wiring closets and data centers while


lowering recurring power and cooling costs. Using a common version of the Junos

operating system across the switch families helps ensure consistency throughout the

infrastructure and accelerates the learning curve. And unified management tools

consolidate system monitoring and maintenance, saving time and money. Working

together, these J-EX Series switch attributes help advance the economics of networking

by allowing businesses to spend less money and time on their network infrastructure—

and more on innovative technologies that help them gain a competitive edge

The PowerConnect J-EX8208 is designed for Enterprise and Public customers of all sizes. The J-

EX8208 switch is optimized for both data center and campus aggregation and core.

Figure 2: The PowerConnect™ J-EX8208 switch

Simple Switch Mode

Simple Switch Mode, or SSM, allows server administrators, or anyone with very limited

expertise in configuring Ethernet Switches, the ability to deploy a loop-free switching solution

without having to configure the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) or design its integration into the

existing environment.

The primary advantages of deploying SSM are as follows:

Port Aggregation is easy to configure. Simply group internal ports and associate with external ports, assign VLANs (if required), and it’s ready to go.

SSM automatically configures multiple external ports into a Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) trunk group.

By using Aggregator Groups, the feature provides loop-free operation without using STP. Port Aggregation is completely interoperable. Dynamic (via LACP) and static link

aggregation is supported on the external ports.

http://www.delltechcenter.com/page/Simple+Connect+for+M-Series+PowerConnect


To enable Simple Switch Mode on a Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch, perform the following

steps:

1. Log into the switch. 2. Select System Operational Mode Operational Mode Configuration.

In the Operational Mode Configuration screen, select Enable in the Simple Mode drop-down

menu, and left-click Apply Changes (see Figure 3).

Figure 3: Simple Mode configuration on the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch.


TESTING SCENARIOS

This document presents an overview of variety of different network deployment scenarios and

then provides step by step set up guide using configuration tools with screen shots as visual

guide. Intent of the paper is to show how some of the built in features like Simple Switch

firmware can be used to easily and quickly configure both equipment to work with each other

without requiring extensive knowledge of network.

In the sections that follow, we discuss some of the new features of the hardware and software,

give an overview of the deployment process, and present the following eight sample scenarios:

Scenario 1: Plugging and playing the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch

In this section, we provide an overview of the plug-and-play process with the Dell

PowerConnect M8024 switch, by configuring Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) on J-

EX8208 switch ports. Dell’s plug-and-play features with Simple Switch Mode allow for quick

integration of a new Dell switch into a network. We provide detailed instructions in Appendix A.

1. On the J-EX8208 switch, configure LACP on “ae0” Link Aggregation Interface.

2. Assign an IP address to “ae0” interface.

3. Create a device count, which represents how many aggregated interface (port channel

group) are functional.

4. Connect the cables from the J-EX8208 Blade switch to the Dell PowerConnect M8024

switch. The Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch will automatically create an aggregate group

and establish network connectivity.


Figure 4: Graphic representation of Scenario 1.

Scenario 2: Configuring VLANs on the internal ports of the Dell PowerConnect

M8024 switch

In this section, we provide an overview of configuring the VLANs on the internal ports of the

Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch, while configuring those on the J-EX8208. VLANs allow for

greater granularity and quality of service (QoS) control over simple sub-netting, and Dell

switches with Simple Switch Mode enabled offer quick and easy VLAN configuration. We

provide detailed instructions in Appendix A.

1. On the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch, enter the Internal Port VLAN configuration

screen, select a port, and change the default Untagged VLAN (we changed port 1/xg1 to

VLAN 101).

2. On the J-EX8208 switch, create a two-port channel group with LACP and trunking enabled.

3. Allow VLAN 101 through the new port channel.

4. Connect the cables. The Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch will automatically make a four-

port LAG and tag all communications from the designated internal port as VLAN 101.

Dell PowerConnect M8024 Switch

Dell J-EX8208 10Gig Blade Switch

Four-Port

Link Aggregation Group (LAG)



Scenario 3: Configuring multiple VLANs per internal port to connect to a server

NIC with Tag enabled

In this section, we provide an overview of configuring multiple VLANs per internal port to

connect to a server NIC with Tagging enabled, which is useful for management of VMs. We


1. On the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch, enter the Internal Port VLAN configuration

screen, select a port, and add several Tagged VLANs (we changed port 1/xg6 to include

VLANs 2-3).

2. On the J-EX8208 switches, create a two-port aggregation group on “ae0” interface and

trunking enabled.

3. Allow VLANs 2-3 through the new aggregation group (port channel).

4. Connect the cables. The Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch will automatically make a two-

port LAG. From now on, you can modify VM communications so that you can tag them to

various VLANs.

VLAN 101

Dell PowerEdge

M710 Blade Server

Dell PowerConnect

M8024 Switch


VLAN 101



Scenario 4: Configuring multiple Port Aggregation Groups and dedicating

specific Uplinks

In this section, we provide an overview of configuring multiple Port Aggregation Groups

(AGs to group specific attached blade servers) and dedicating specific Uplinks to carry that

traffic to the J-EX8208 witch network. Doing this allows us to physically separate traffic for

easier administration. We provide detailed instructions in Appendix A.

1. On the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch, enter the Port Configuration screen, and change

the group ID of the ports you desire to Group 2 (we changed ports 1/xg14 and ports 1/xg21-

1/xg22 to Group 2).

2. On the J-EX8208 switch, create two two-port aggregation groups (ae0 & ae1) with LACP

enabled.

3. Connect the cables. The Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch will automatically make two two-

port LAGs, separating the traffic from between the two groups created earlier.

Dell PowerConnect

M8024 Switch

Dell PowerEdge

M710 Blade Server

VLAN 2 VLAN 3


VLAN 2 VLAN 3



Scenario 5: Adding VLANs in a multi-AG configuration

In this section, we provide an overview of adding VLANs in a multi-AG configuration, which

combine the advantages of virtual network administration with physical network separation.

We provide detailed instructions in Appendix A.


the group ID of ports to Group 2 (we changed ports 1/xg14 and ports 1/xg21-1/xg22 to

Group 2).

2. Enter the Internal Port VLAN configuration screen, select a port, and add several Tagged

VLANs (we changed port 1/xg6 to include VLANs 2 and port 1/xg14 to include VLANS 3).

3. On the J-EX8208 switches, create two two-port channel groups with LACP enabled.

4. Connect the cables. The Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch will automatically make two two-

port LAGs, separating the traffic from between the two groups created earlier.


2 Two-Port



ae0

ae1



Scenario 6: Setting up a straight-through topology with LAG failover

In this section, we provide an overview of setting up a straight-through topology with LAG

failover. Simple Switch Mode LAG failover allows Dell switches to automatically change from

the primary to the backup LAG in the event of a port failure, reducing potential downtime. We



the Lag Role of ports to Secondary (we changed ports 1/xg23-1/xg24 to Secondary).

2. On the J-EX8208switches, create two two-port channel groups with LACP enabled.

3. Connect the cables. The Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch will automatically make a two-

port LAG with a secondary backup LAG that it will failover to in the event of a cable or port

failure.

VLAN 2

Dell PowerConnect

M8024 Switch

Dell PowerEdge

M710 Blade Server

VLAN 2 VLAN 3

Dell J-EX8208 10Gig Blade Switch Dell J-EX8208 10Gig Blade Switch

VLAN 3




2 Two-Port



Primary LAG

Backup LAG


APPENDIX A - DETAILED SCENARIO METHODOLOGY

In this appendix, we provide detailed descriptions of the test scenarios we followed and

screenshots for each step, as appropriate. In each scenario, we assume that the associated

switches are at factory default configurations.

Scenario 1: Plugging and playing the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch

On the Dell M8024 switch

1. Log into the switch.

2. Select SystemOperational ModeOperational Mode Configuration.

3. In the Operational Mode Configuration screen, select Enable in the Simple Mode drop-down

menu, and left-click Apply Changes (see Figure 10).


On the J-EX8208 switch


2. Type the following commands into the switch:

admin@8208>configure

admin@8208#edit chassis


[edit chassis]

admin@8208# set aggregated-devices ethernet device-count 1

admin@8208#exit

[edit]

admin@8208# edit interfaces ae0

[edit interfaces ae0]

admin@8208# set unit 0 family inet address 18.1.1.5/24

admin@8208# set aggregated-ether-options lacp active

admin@8208# exit

[edit]

admin@8208#edit interfaces xe-0/0/5

admin@8208#set ether-options 802.3ad ae0

admin@8208#exit

[edit]

admin@8208#edit interfaces xe-0/0/6

admin@8208# set ether-options 802.3ad ae0

admin@8208# commit

admin@8208# exit

3. Connect cables from the J-EX8208 switch to the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch

Performing the above configurations on the J-EX8208 switch using Juniper GUI interface, J-Web (see Figures 11, 12, & 13).

Figure 11: Creating the Device Count

Note


Figure 12: Configuring LACP on ‘ae0’ Interface

Figure 13: Commit Command


Scenario 2: Configuring VLANs on the internal ports of the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch





menu, and left-click Apply Changes (see Figure 14). The switch will reset after this and you

will need to log in again.


4. Select SwitchingPort AggregatorInternal Port VLAN Configuration.

5. In the Internal-Port drop-down menu, select a port (we chose 1/xg1) (See Figure 15).


Figure 15: Internal Port VLAN Configuration on the Dell PowerConnect M8024 Switch

6. In the Untagged-VLAN textbox, write a VLAN (we chose 101), and left-click Apply Changes (see Figure 16).

Figure 16: Internal Port VLAN Configuration on the Dell PowerConnect M8024 Switch






admin@8208# set chassis aggregated-devices ethernet device-count 2

admin@8208# edit interfaces ae1 unit 0

[edit interfaces ae1.0]

admin@8208# set family ethernet-switching port-mode

admin@8208# set family ethernet-switching port-mode trunk vlan

members vlan101

admin@8208# exit

[edit]

admin@8208# set interfaces ae0 aggregated-ether-options lacp active

admin@8208#set interfaces xe-0/0/3 ether-options 802.3ad ae0


admin@8208# commit check

admin@8208# commit

admin@8208# exit

3. Connect the cables from the J-Ex8208 switch to the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch.

Performing the above configurations on the J-EX8208 switch using Juniper GUI interface, J-Web (see Figures 17, 18, & 19)

Note


Figure 17: Creating VLAN ‘101’

Figure 18: Creating LAG interface ‘ae1’


Figure 19: Creating a Trunk

Scenario 3: Configuring multiple VLANs per internal port to connect to a server NIC with Tag enabled





menu and left-click Apply Changes (see Figure 20). The switch will reset after this and you



Figure 20: Simple Mode configuration on the Dell PowerConnect M8024 Switch

4. Select SwitchingPort AggregatorInternal Port VLAN Configuration.

5. In the Internal-Port drop-down menu, select a port (we chose 1/xg6) (See Figure 21).

Figure 21: Internal Port VLAN Configuration on the Dell PowerConnect M8024

6. In the Tagged-VLANs box, select your VLANs (we chose 2-3), and left-click Apply Changes (see Figure 22).


Figure 22: Selecting tagged VLANs in Internal Port VLAN Configuration on the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch.








admin@8208# set family ethernet-switching port-mode


members vlan2


members vlan3

admin@8208# exit

[edit]





admin@8208# commit

admin@8208# exit


Performing the above configurations on the J-EX8208 switch using Juniper GUI interface, J-Web (see Figures 23 & 24).

Figure 23: Configuring Trunk VLAN ‘2 & 3’ on ‘ae0’

Figure 24: Verification of the configuration

Note


Scenario 4: Configuring multiple Port Aggregation Groups and dedicating specific Uplinks




3. In the Operational Mode Configuration screen, select Enable in the Simple Mode drop-down menu and left-click Apply Changes (see Figure 25). The switch will reset after this and you will need to log in again.



4. Select SwitchingPort Aggregator Port Configuration (see Figure 26).

Figure 26: The Port Configuration screen on the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch.

5. In the Port Configuration screen, change the Group ID of the internal port (we changed port

14) and change the Group ID of the external ports (we changed ports 21 and 22 to Group 2)

(See Figure 27).

Figure 27: Assigning Group 2 to internal ports on the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch.






admin@8208#edit chassis

[edit chassis]

admin@8208# set aggregated-devices ethernet device-count 2

admin@8208#exit

[edit]





admin@8208# commit




admin@8208# commit

admin@8208# exit

3. Connect cables from the J-EX8208 switch to the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch. The Dell

PowerConnect M8024 should automatically create two two-port LAGs, each configured

with half of the internal ports.


Performing the above configurations on the J-EX8208 switch using Juniper GUI interface, J-Web (see Figures 28 & 29).

Figure 28: Configure LAG on ae0 & ae1 interfaces

Figure 29: Simple Mode configuration

Note


Scenario 5: Adding VLANs in a multi-AG configuration








4. Select SwitchingPort AggregatorPort Configuration (see Figure 31).



5. In the Port Configuration screen, change the Group ID of the internal ports (we changed

port 14). In the same Port Configuration screen, change the Group ID of the external ports

(we changed ports 21 and 22 to Group 2), and click Apply Changes (See Figure 32).

Figure 32: Assigning Group 2 to internal ports on the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch.


6. Select SwitchingPort AggregatorInternal Port VLAN Configuration (see Figure 33).

Figure 33: Internal Port VLAN Configuration on the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch.

7. In the Internal Port drop-down menu, select a port (we chose 1/xg1).

8. In the Tagged-VLANs box, applying VLANs 2 to port 1/xg6 (see Figure 34).

Figure 34: Selecting VLANs for the first port in Internal Port VLAN Configuration on the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch.


9. Repeat step 9, applying VLANs 3 to port 1/xg14, (see Figure 35).

Figure 35: Selecting VLANs for the first port in Internal Port VLAN Configuration on the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch



2. Type the following commands into the switch to configure the first J-EX8208 Switch:

Switch1@8208>configure

Switch1@8208# set chassis aggregated-devices

ethernet device-count 1



Switch1@8208# set family ethernet-switching

port-mode


port-mode trunk vlan members vlan101



Switch1@8208# exit

[edit]

Switch1@8208# set interfaces ae0 aggregated-ether-options lacp active

Switch1@8208#set interfaces xe-0/0/5 ether-

options 802.3ad ae0



options 802.3ad ae0

Switch1@8208# commit

Switch1@8208# exit

3. Type the following commands into your second J-EX8208 Switch.

Switch2@8208>configure

Switch2@8208# set chassis aggregated-devices

ethernet device-count 1

Switch2@8208# edit interfaces ae0 unit 0



port-mode





Switch2@8208# exit

[edit]

Switch2@8208# set interfaces ae0 aggregated-

ether-options lacp active


options 802.3ad ae0


options 802.3ad ae0

Switch2@8208# commit

Switch2@8208# exit

4. Connect cables from the J-EX8208 switches to the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch.


Scenario 6: Setting up a straight-through topology with LAG failover







Figure 36: Simple Mode configuration on the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch


4. Select SwitchingPort AggregatorPort Configuration (see Figure 37).


5. In the Port Configuration screen, change the Lag Role of the external ports (we changed

ports 21 and 22 to Secondary), and click Apply Changes (see Figure 38).

Figure 38: Assigning a Secondary LAG to external ports on the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch


6. In the Port Configuration screen Global Configuration Enable LAG Failover Admin

Mode (see Figure 39).

Figure 39: Simple Mode configuration


1. Log into the switch

2. Assuming that you configured the Dell PowerConnect M8024 with two different groups,

type the following commands into the switch:







admin@8208# commit




admin@8208# commit

admin@8208# exit

3. Connect cables from the J-EX8208 switch to the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch. The

Dell PowerConnect M8024 should automatically create one two-port LAG with a two-

port backup in case of cable or port failure.


APPENDIX B - NETWORK SWITCH CONFIGURATION

INFORMATION

Figure 40 provides detailed configuration information for the network switches we used.

Network switch Dell PowerConnect M8024 Dell PowerConnect J-EX8208

Software version 3.1.3.12 10.3R2.11

Figure 40: Detailed configuration information for the network switches.

ABOUT DELL

Dell (NASDAQ: DELL) is a leading technology provider to commercial and public enterprises

around the world.

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