Users Guide

Ensure that CMC and iDRAC on each server and the network management ports for all switch I/O

Modules are connected to a common internal network in the M1000e chassis. This allows the

management network to be isolated from the server data network. It is important to separate this traffic

for uninterrupted access to chassis management.

CMC is connected to the management network. All external access to CMC and iDRACs is accomplished

through CMC. Access to the managed servers, conversely, is accomplished through network connections

to I/O modules (IOMs). This allows the application network to be isolated from the management network.

It is recommended to isolate chassis management from the data network. Dell cannot support or

guarantee uptime of a chassis that is improperly integrated into your environment. Due to the potential of

traffic on the data network, the management interfaces on the internal management network can be

saturated by traffic intended for servers. This results in CMC and iDRAC communication delays. These

delays may cause unpredictable chassis behavior, such as CMC displaying iDRAC as offline even when it

is up and running, which in turn causes other unwanted behavior. If physically isolating the management

network is impractical, the other option is to separate CMC and iDRAC traffic to a separate VLAN. CMC

and individual iDRAC network interfaces can be configured to use a VLAN.

If you have one chassis, connect CMC and the standby CMC to the management network. If you have a

redundant CMC, use another network cable and connect the GB CMC port to a second port of the

management network.

If you have more than one chassis you can choose between the basic connection, where each CMC is

connected to the management network, or a daisy-chained chassis connection, where the chassis are

connected in series and only one CMC is connected to the management network. The basic connection

type uses more ports on the management network and provides greater redundancy. The daisy-chain

connection type uses fewer ports on the management network but introduces dependencies between

CMCs, reducing the redundancy of the system.

NOTE: Failure to cable CMC properly in a redundant configuration can cause loss of management

and create broadcast storms.

Related Concepts

Basic CMC Network Connection

Daisy chain CMC Network Connection

Configuring Initial CMC Network

NOTE: Changing the CMC network settings may disconnect the current network connection.

You can perform the initial network configuration of CMC before or after CMC has an IP address. To

configure CMC’s initial network settings before you have an IP address, you can use either of the

following interfaces:

• The LCD panel on the front of the chassis

• Dell CMC serial console

To configure initial network settings after CMC has an IP address, you can use any of the following

interfaces:

• Command line interfaces (CLIs) such as a serial console, Telnet, SSH, or the Dell CMC console

through iKVM