Operating instructions

Preface

This IBM® Redpaper positions the Cisco Systems Intelligent Gigabit Ethernet Switch Module

for the IBM Eserver® BladeCenter™ and describes how it enhances the BladeCenter value

proposition by seamlessly interfacing into a customer’s existing data network.

This paper helps you plan, install, and configure the Cisco Systems Intelligent Gigabit Ethernet

Switch Module for several network topologies. Topology examples are provided to demonstrate

several ways to perform the integration of the switch module into different networks.

We also discuss the architecture of the Cisco Systems Intelligent Gigabit Ethernet Switch

Module and BladeCenter and how the technology of each product jointly provides full

interoperability into existing Cisco data centers.

It is assumed that experienced systems and network administrators will use this paper to

successfully integrate the Cisco Systems Intelligent Gigabit Ethernet Switch Module into their

existing network.

As we write this Redpaper, the Cisco Systems Intelligent Gigabit Ethernet Switch Module

supports the 12.1(14) version of IOS. The switch also supports the 12.1(22) version. Check

this support site on ibm.com® for current information pertaining to the latest supported

version of IOS:

http://www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/support/bladecenter/index.html

The team that wrote this Redpaper

This Redpaper was produced by a team of specialists from around the world working at the

International Technical Support Organization, San Jose Center and Cisco San Jose.

Rufus Credle is a Certified Senior I/T Specialist and certified Professional Server Specialist

at the International Technical Support Organization, Raleigh Center. He conducts residencies

and develops Redbooks™ about network operating systems, ERP solutions, voice

technology, high availability and clustering solutions, Web application servers, pervasive

computing, and IBM and OEM e-business applications, all running IBM eServer™ xSeries®

and IBM eServer BladeCenter systems. Rufus’s various positions during his IBM career have

included assignments in administration and asset management, systems engineering, sales

and marketing, and IT services. He holds a BS degree in business management from Saint

Augustine’s College. Rufus has been employed at IBM for 24 years.

Yoko Fujiwara, based in Harumi, Tokyo, is an Advisory IT Specialist in IBM eServer xSeries

Technical Support at IBM Japan. She has six years of experience in IA Server pre-sales

technical support and has been focused on BladeCenter since the product launch in 2002.

Her area of expertise includes system management. She is co-author of the IBM Redbook

Implementing Systems Management Solutions Using IBM Director, SG24-6188. Her

certifications include Cisco Certified System Network Associate.

Matt Slavin is a Systems Engineer based in Tulsa, Oklahoma; he is employed with the

Strategic Alliances group at Cisco Systems. He has been in the computer and networking

industry for more than 25 years, operating in several high-level technical support capacities.

His industry certifications include MCSE, MCNE, CCNA, and CCIP. Matt’s current interests

include infrastructure design and support, with a special focus on wireless networking and

security.