Reference Guide
Before You Start | 7
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Before You Start
By following the instructions in the Dell PowerEdge M I/O Aggregator Getting Started Guide that is
shipped with the product, you install the Aggregator in a Dell PowerEdge M1000e Enclosure.
The Aggregator installs with zero-touch configuration. After you power it on, an Aggregator boots up
with default settings and auto-configures with software features enabled. This chapter describes the
default settings and software features that are automatically configured at startup. Use the tasks
described in the other chapters to reconfigure the Aggregator for customized network operation.
Operational Modes
The I/O Aggregator supports four operational modes. Select the operational mode that meets your
deployment needs. To enable a new operational mode, reload the switch.
• Standalone mode —
stack-unit unit iom-mode standalone. This is the default mode for IOA. It
is fully automated zero-touch mode that allows you to configure VLAN memberships. (Supported
in CMC)
• Programmable MUX mode (PMUX) —
stack-unit unit iom-mode programmable-mux. To
use PMUX mode, contact your Dell customer service representative.
• Stacking mode —
stack-unit unit iom-mode stacking. Select this mode to stack up to 6 IOA
stack units as a single logical switch. The stack units can be in the same or on different chassis.
This is a low-touch mode where all configuration except VLAN membership is automated. To
enable VLAN, you must configure it. In this operational mode, base module links are dedicated to
stacking.
• Virtual Link Trunking mode (VLT) —
stack-unit unit iom-mode vlt. Select this mode to
multi-home server interfaces to different IOA modules. This is a low-touch mode where all
configuration except VLAN membership is automated. To enable VLAN, you must configure it.
In this mode, base module links are dedicated to VLT interconnect.
• For more information about the CLI commands, refer to the FTOS Command Line Reference
Guide.
Default Settings
The I/O Aggregator provides zero-touch configuration with the following default configuration
settings:
• Default user name (root)
• Password (calvin)
• VLAN (vlan1) and IP address for in-band management (DHCP-assigned)
• IP address for out-of-band (OOB) management (DHCP-assigned)