Deployment Guide

Port Numbering for FC Flex IO Modules
Even-numbered ports are at the bottom of the I/O panel and for modules odd-numbered ports are at the top of the I/O panel. When
installed in a PowerEdge M1000e Enclosure, the FN IOM ports are numbered 33 to 56 from the bottom to the top of the switch. The
following port numbering convention applies to the FC Flex IO module:
• In expansion slot 0, the ports are numbered 41 to 44.
• In expansion slot 1, the ports are numbered 49 to 52.
Installing the Optics
The following optical ports are supported on the FC Flex IO module using one of the supported breakout cables:
• 4G or 8G Fibre Channel small form-factor pluggable plus (SFP+) optics module and LC connectors over a distance of 150 meters.
• 4G or 8G Fibre Channel SFP+ optics module and LC connectors over a distance of 4 km.
CAUTION:
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage can occur if the components are mishandled. Always wear an ESD-preventive wrist or heel
ground strap when handling the FC Flex IO module and its components.
WARNING: When working with optical bres, follow all the warning labels and always wear eye protection. Never look directly
into the end of a terminated or unterminated bre or connector as it may cause eye damage.
1
• Position the optic so it is in the correct position. The optic has a key that prevents it from being inserted incorrectly.
• Insert the optic into the port until it gently snaps into place.
NOTE
:
1 When you cable the ports, be sure not to interfere with the airow from the small vent holes above and below the
ports.
Processing of Data Trac
The Dell Networking OS determines the module type that is plugged into the slot. Based on the module type, the software performs the
appropriate tasks. The FC Flex IO module encapsulates and decapsulates the FCoE frames. The module directly switches any non-FCoE or
non-FIP trac, and only FCoE frames are processed and transmitted out of the Ethernet network.
When the external device sends FCoE data frames to the switch that contains the FC Flex IO module, the destination MAC address
represents one of the Ethernet MAC addresses assigned to FC ports. Based on the destination address, the FCoE header is removed from
the incoming packet and the FC frame is transmitted out of the FC port. The ow control mechanism is performed using per-priority ow
control to ensure that frame loss does not occur owing to congestion of frames.
Operation of the FIP Application
The NPIV proxy gateway terminates the FIP sessions and responses to FIP messages. The FIP packets are intercepted by the FC Flex IO
module and sent to the Dell Networking OS for further analysis. The FIP application responds to the FIP VLAN discovery request from the
host based on the congured FCoE VLANs. For every ENode and VN_Port that is logged in, the FIP application responds to keepalive
messages for the virtual channel. If the FC link becomes inactive or a logging o of the switch occurs, the FIP engine sends clear virtual
link (CVL) messages to the host. The FIP application also responds to solicited advertisements from the end-device. In addition, the FIP
application periodically sends advertisement packets to the end-devices for each FCF that is part of the NPIV proxy gateway.
FC Flex IO Modules
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