Specifications

124 Implementing IBM System Networking 10Gb Ethernet Switches
4.1 Overview of the initial setup
The steps cover the following elements for the hardware:
򐂰 Terminal connection
򐂰 Setting up the IP address of the switch
򐂰 Configuring the date and time
򐂰 Security
For the IBM System Networking Element Manager software, we describe how to:
򐂰 Install it
򐂰 Configure the basic options
Switch initial setup
Every time we receive a new switch and we want to install it in our network, there is a set of
basic initial configuration tasks that should be done. These include setting the date and time,
changing the administrator’s password, and some other basic ones. And, to perform these
tasks, we should first connect to the switch. In the following sections, we describe how to
perform this connection and these tasks.
4.2 Administration interfaces
The RackSwitch G8264 and the IBM Virtual Fabric 10Gb Switch Module have many
management interfaces where you can perform the initial setup tasks. In this section, we
cover the common methods for both switches, and also the ones that are specific to the
BladeCenter module.
Both switches are able to perform advanced tasks right away. However, some basic setup is
needed when you first use the switch.
IBM Networking OS, the operating system that runs inside the switches, provides three main
interfaces for administration purposes. These interfaces are:
򐂰 A text-based command-line interface (CLI) and menu system for remote access with
Telnet and SSH sessions
򐂰 The Browser-Based interface (BBI), which can be used with a standard web browser
򐂰 SNMP support for access with network management software, such as IBM Systems
Director and many others
For the IBM Virtual Fabric 10Gb Switch Module for BladeCenter, there is one additional
interface that can be used: The BladeCenter Advance Management Module (AMM) interface,
which is used also for general management of the chassis.
Management interfaces: To access the management interfaces, you must know the IP
address of the management interface of the switch. If the switch is brand new, and you are
working on it for the first time, you must configure this IP address. In the rest of this
chapter, we describe this process in more detail.
The default user for administration purposes is admin, and the default password is admin
as well. We describe how to change these settings in “User management” on page 137.