CLI Guide

FCoE Connectivity

Many data centers use Fibre Channel (FC) in storage area networks (SANs). Fibre Channel over Ethernet

(FCoE) encapsulates Fibre Channel frames over Ethernet networks.

On an Aggregator, the internal ports support FCoE connectivity and connect to the converged network

adapter (CNA) in blade servers. FCoE allows Fibre Channel to use 10-Gigabit Ethernet networks while

preserving the Fibre Channel protocol.

The Aggregator also provides zero-touch configuration for FCoE configuration. The Aggregator auto-

configures to match the FCoE settings used in the ToR switches to which it connects through its uplink

ports.

iSCSI Operation

Support for iSCSI traffic is turned on by default when the Aggregator powers up. No configuration is

required.

When the Aggregator powers up, it monitors known TCP ports for iSCSI storage devices on all interfaces.

When a session is detected, an entry is created and monitored as long as the session is active.

The Aggregator also detects iSCSI storage devices on all interfaces and auto-configures to optimize

performance. Performance optimization operations, such as Jumbo frame size support, and disabling

storm control on interfaces connected to an iSCSI equallogic (EQL) storage device, are applied

automatically.

CLI configuration is necessary only when the configuration includes iSCSI storage devices that cannot be

automatically detected and when non-default QoS handling is required.

Link Aggregation

In Standalone, Stacking, and VLT modes, all uplink ports (except port 9 in VLT mode) are configured in a

single LAG (LAG 128). There can be multiple uplink LAGs in programmable-mux mode. Server-facing

ports are auto-configured as part of link aggregation groups if the corresponding server is configured for

LACP-based NIC teaming. Static LAGs are supported only in PMUX and Full-Switch modes.

NOTE: The default LACP timeout is Long-Timeout. The same timeout is recommended to be

configured in peer devices.

Uplink Failure Detection

By default, all server-facing ports are tracked by the operational status of the uplink LAG. If the uplink LAG

goes down, the Aggregator loses its connectivity and is no longer operational; all server-facing ports are

brought down.

Before You Start