Users Guide

Key Considerations for Designing a Layer 2 VLT Fabric

Use the Layer 2 VLT fabric for workload migration over virtualized environments. When designing the

Layer 2 VLT fabric, consider the following:

• You can deploy up to 10 fabrics. However, the fabrics do not communicate with each other.

• For a VLT fabric, AFM manages Dell Networking S4810, S4820T, S55, S60, S5000, S6000, Z9000, IOA

blade and MXL blade switches.

CAUTION: If you are already using a deployed switch, you must reset the factory settings. The

switch must be in BMP mode.

For more information on BMP, see DHCP Integration and the Configuration Guide for the Dell

Networking S4810, S4820T, S55, S60, S6000, Z9000, IOA blade and MXL blade switches.

The number and type of switches in a VLT fabric are based on the following:

• The number of current uplinks (minimum of 2) and downlinks for the access switches.

• The number of planned edge ports (future uplinks and downlinks) for the access switches.

• Whether the access switch needs to act as a switch or ToR.

• Fabric interlink bandwidth (the links between the aggregation and access switches).

• Downlinks which can be 1Gb, 10Gb, or 40 Gb.

• The fabric interlink bandwidth, 10 Gb or 40 Gb, is fixed and based on the fabric type.

NOTE: If you do not specify additional ports in the fabric design for future expansion in the

Bandwidth and Port Count screen, you can only expand the downlinks on the existing fabric.

For information on how to expand a fabric, refer to Editing and Expanding an Existing Fabric Design.

Gathering Useful Information for a Layer 2 VLT Fabric

Gather useful information for a Layer 2 VLT fabric before you begin:

• The CSV file Dell provides that contains the system MAC addresses, Service Tag and serial numbers for

each switch or manually enter this information.

• The location of the switches, including the rack and row number, from your network administrator or

network operator.

• The remote Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) / File Transfer Protocol (FTP) address from your

network administrator or network operator. To specify a TFTP/FTP site, go to Administration >

Settings >TFTP/FTP screen. For information about which software packages to use, refer to the

Release Notes.

• The software image for each type of switch in the fabric. Each switch type within the fabric must use

the same version of the software. Place the software images on the TFTP/FTP site so that the switches

can install the appropriate Dell Networking OS software image and configuration file.

• The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server address to use for the fabric from your

DHCP network administrator or network operator. If a remote DHCP server is not available, AFM also

provides local DHCP. The DHCP server must be in the same subnet as the switches. After you power

cycle the switches, the switches communicate with the DHCP server to obtain a management IP

Address based on the system MAC Address. The DHCP server contains information about where to

Supported Fabric Types