Operating instructions

Chapter 4. Cisco Systems Intelligent Gigabit

Ethernet Switch Module

architecture

In this section, we look at a system overview of the Cisco Systems Intelligent Gigabit Ethernet

Switch Module (Cisco Systems IGESM) for the IBM Eserver BladeCenter.

First, we focus on the Cisco Systems IGESM itself. The switch is a layer 2 switch with visibility

into layers 2 through 4. Figure 4-1 shows the architecture overview of the Cisco Systems

Intelligent Gigabit Ethernet Switch Module. The Cisco Systems IGESM has 14 internal 1

Gbps links to connect to blade servers and four external Gigabit ports to connect to upstream

switches. The switch module has two 100 Mbps connections to the Management Modules.

We can manage the Cisco Systems IGESM through the connection between the Cisco

Systems IGESM and the Management Module. We can also manage the Cisco Systems

IGESM like other Catalyst switches with the console port that comes sealed with a cap. The

console port is a service port to which you can connect a terminal or PC in order to configure

the software through the command-line interface (CLI) or to troubleshoot problems with the

switch.

Note: At the time of developing this Redpaper, the console port is not officially supported

by IBM. However, IBM seeks to support this feature after the company completes its test.