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Guidelines for Working with FC Flex IO Modules
The following guidelines apply to the FC Flex IO module:
● All the ports of FC Flex IO modules operate in FC mode, and do not support Ethernet mode.
● FC Flex IO modules are not supported in the chassis management controller (CMC) GUI.
● The only supported FCoE functionality is NPIV proxy gateway. Configure the other FCoE services, such as name server,
zone server, and login server on an external FC switch.
● With the FC Flex IO module, the FN IOM continues to support bare metal provisioning (BMP) on any Ethernet port. BMP is
not supported on FC ports. BMP improves accessibility to the FN IOM by automatically loading pre-defined configurations
and boot images that are stored in file servers. You can use BMP on a single switch or on multiple switches.
● FC Flex IOM module is a field-replaceable unit (FRU). Its memory type is electrically erasable programmable read-only
memory (EEPROM), which enables it to save manufacturing information, such as the serial number. It is hot-swappable,
assuming that the module that is removed is replaced by the same type of module in that same slot.
● The FC Flex IO does not have persistent storage for any runtime configuration. All the persistent storage for runtime
configuration is on the FN IOM baseboard.
● With both FC Flex IO modules present in the FN IOM switches, the power supply requirement and maximum thermal output
are the same as these parameters needed for the M1000 chassis.
● Each port on the FC Flex IO module contains status indicators to denote the link status and transmission activity. For traffic
that is being transmitted, the port LED shows a blinking green light. The Link LED displays solid green when a proper link
with the peer is established. If there is no connectivity, the LEDs are not lit
● The FN IOM switches continue to operate in FCoE Gateway mode even if connectivity to a ToR switch does not exist.
● Active fabric manager (AFM) is compatible with FC Flex IO modules.
● All SNMP MIBs that are supported for FN IOM switches apply equally for FC Flex IO modules. The interface MIB indicates
the FC interface when you install the FC flex IO module. The interface MIB statistical counters compute and display the FC
interface metrics.
● When the Dell Networking OS sends FC frames (the initial FLOGI or FLOGO messages), or converts FLOGI to FDISC
messages or processes any internally generated FC frames, the software computes and verifies the FC cyclic redundancy
check (CRC) value before sending the frame to FC ports.
● Fabric worldwide name (WWN) verification is available for eight FC ports. Single-switching WWN capability is provided when
the switch operates in NPIV mode.
● Ensure that the NPIV functionality is enabled on the upstream switches that operate as FC switches or FCoE forwarders
(FCF) before you connect the FC port of the FN IOM to these upstream switches.
● While storage traffic traverses through FC Flex IO modules and the Ethernet uplink port-channel status changes (with DCB
enabled on an adjacent switch), FCoE traffic is disrupted. This problem does not occur if Ethernet traffic is not involved and
only FCoE traffic is transmitted. Also, if DCB on the ToR switch is disabled, traffic disruption does not occur.
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.
FC Flex IO Modules
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