Technical data

28 Brocade VDX 6720 Hardware Reference Manual

53-1002084-06

Brocade VDX 6720 maintenance

The Brocade VDX 6720 is designed for high availability and low failure; it does not require any

regular physical maintenance. The SFP+ optical transceivers and diagnostic tests are described in

the following sections.

Supported transceivers

The Brocade VDX 6720 supports only Brocade-branded SFP and SFP+ optical or copper

transceivers. For its GbE connections, the Brocade VDX 6720 uses SFP and SFP+ transceivers that

support either optical or Brocade-branded direct-attach copper (Laserwire) and optical cables.

The optical SFP+ transceivers support both Short Reach (SR) and Long Reach (LR) modules.

Direct-attach copper cables support distances of 1 meter, 3 meters, and 5 meters. Direct-attach

optical cables support distances of 10 meters and 20 meters.

Non-branded active twinax cables can be used, but Brocade does not support them.

Installing an SFP or SFP+ transceiver

For its DCB connections, the Brocade VDX 6720 uses SFP and SFP+ transceivers that support

either optical or Brocade-branded direct-attached copper (Laserwire) and optical cables. The

optical SFP+ transceivers support both Short Reach (SR) and Long Reach (LR) modules. Direct

attached copper cables support distances of 1 meter, 3 meters, and 5 meters. Direct attached

optical cables support distances of 10 meters and 20 meters.

To monitor the transceivers, the showmedia command output shows the transceiver information

for all interfaces on the switch. Third party transceivers are allowed. Brocade will provide support

for such a system but may require that a Brocade transceiver be used for troubleshooting.

Support will not be provided if there is an issue with the third party transceiver.

Complete the following steps to install an SFP+ transceiver.

1. Remove any protector plugs from the transceivers and the ports.

2. Making sure that the bail (wire handle) is in the unlocked position, place the SFP+ transceiver

in the correctly oriented position on the port, as shown in Figure 10.

3. Slide the SFP+ transceiver into the port until you feel it click into place; then close the bail.

NOTE

Each SFP+ transceiver has a 10-pad gold-plated edge connector on the bottom. The correct

position to insert an SFP+ transceiver in the upper row of ports is with the gold-plated edge down.

The correct position to insert an SFP+ transceiver in the lower row of ports is with the gold-plated

edge up.