Users Guide

For example:
• An Ethernet MC connected to a Fibre Channel IOM is an invalid configuration. However, an Ethernet
MC connected to both an Ethernet switch and an Ethernet pass-through IOM installed in the same
IOM group is a valid connection.
• A Fibre Channel pass-through IOM and a fibre channel switch IOM in slots B1 and B2 is a valid
configuration if the first MCs on all of the servers are also fibre channel. In this case, CMC powers-on
the IOMs and the servers. However, certain fibre channel redundancy software may not support this
configuration; not all valid configurations are necessarily supported configurations.
Fabric verification for server IOMs and MCs is performed only when the chassis is powered on. When
the chassis is on standby power, the iDRACs on the server modules remain powered off and thus are
unable to report the server's MC fabric type. The MC fabric type may not be reported in the CMC user
interface until the iDRAC on the server is powered on. Additionally, if the chassis is powered on, fabric
verification is performed when a server or IOM is inserted (optional). If a fabric mismatch is detected,
the server or IOM is allowed to power on and the status LED flashes Amber.
Invalid Configurations
There are three types of invalid configurations:
• Invalid MC or LOM configuration, where a newly installed fabric type of the server is different from the
existing IOM fabric, that is, LOM or MC of a single server is not supported by its corresponding IOM. In
this case, all the other servers in the chassis are running, but the server with the mismatched MC card
cannot be turned on. The power button on the server flashes amber to alert a fabric mismatch.
• Invalid IOM-MC configuration, where a newly installed fabric type of the IOM and the fabric types of
the resident MC do not match or are incompatible. The mismatched IOM is held in the power-off
state. CMC adds an entry to CMC and hardware logs noting the invalid configuration and specifying
the IOM name. CMC causes the error LED on the offending IOM to blink. If CMC is configured to send
alerts, it sends email and SNMP alerts for this event.
• Invalid IOM-IOM configuration, where a newly installed IOM has a different or incompatible fabric
type from an IOM already installed in its group. CMC holds the newly installed IOM in turned-off state,
causes the error LED of the IOM to blink, and logs entries in CMC and hardware logs about the
mismatch.
Fresh Power-up Scenario
When the chassis is plugged in and powered up, the I/O modules have priority over the servers. The first
IOM in each group is allowed to power up before the others. At this time, verification of their fabric types
is not performed. If there is no IOM on the first slot of a group, the module on the second slot of that
group powers up. If both slots have IOMs, the module in the second slot is compared for consistency
against the one in the first.
After the IOMs power up, the servers power up, and CMC verifies the servers for fabric consistency.
A pass-through module and switch are allowed in the same group if their fabric is identical. Switches and
pass-through modules can exist in the same group even if they are manufactured by different vendors.
Monitoring IOM Health
For information about monitoring IOM health, see Viewing Information and Health Status of All IOMs and
Viewing Information and Health Status For Individual IOM.
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