Operating instructions

12 Cisco Systems Intelligent Gigabit Ethernet Switch Module
3.1 Product description
The Cisco Systems Intelligent Gigabit Ethernet Switch Module (Figure 3-1) provides layer 2
switching functions for the BladeCenter server chassis. It provides up to 250 virtual LANs for
assigning different users to VLANs associated with network resources, traffic patterns, and
bandwidth. It also supports trunking protocols (IEEE 802.1Q) and Link Aggregation for the
automatic creation of EtherChannel links. It provides security for ports so that traffic can be
limited to Media Access Control (MAC) addresses allowed to access only specific ports
(Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) snooping). Up to four Cisco Systems
Intelligent Gigabit Ethernet Switch Modules can reside in the switch module bays of the
BladeCenter chassis. The modules can be hot-plugged into the BladeCenter without
disrupting normal operations. The switch connects to the server blades through the 14
internal GbE (Gigabit) interfaces (server ports) over the BladeCenter midplane. It supplies
four external copper GbE interfaces for outside communication, which are fully compatible
with all other Cisco equipment. The GbE switch is managed through two internal 100 Mbps
ports for communication to the BladeCenter Management Module. A Web-based or
Telnet-based interface is available for diagnostics and direct communication between the
Cisco Systems Intelligent Gigabit Ethernet Switch Module and the BladeCenter Management
Module. It also supports all standard Cisco management applications.
Figure 3-1 Cisco Systems Intelligent Gigabit Ethernet Switch Module (product number 13N2281)
3.2 Value proposition
Why the Cisco Systems Intelligent Gigabit Ethernet Switch Module for your IBM eServer
BladeCenter? The message is clear because of the following points.
Product strength
The product strength includes:
򐂰 The BladeCenter integrated intelligent switch module provides full interoperability into
existing Cisco data centers.