I kind of understand the pain that each network admin has when changing the platform, especially if you haven’t had enough time to get experience on the new system prior to production. This article is meant to help the Cisco Catalyst admins to get some hold of Nexus 5000 series switch. Don’t expect this to […]
Sup2T CMP Console Access
Because I always forget how to access the CMP console of Cat6500 Sup2T, here it is: To access the CMP with the console port, type Ctrl-C, Shift-M, Ctrl-C, Shift-M, Ctrl-C, Shift-M To return to the supervisor console, type Ctrl-R, Shift-M, Ctrl-R, Shift-M, Ctrl-R, Shift-M I thought I wouldn’t need this very often but things don’t […]
Dual-homed FEXes and Switch Profiles
Using dual-homed FEXes with Cisco Nexus 5000 switches presents some new issues for the network admins. One important feature is that the FEX port configuration needs to exist on the both N5ks. Let’s see the topology example where the FEX is connected to the switches with vPC (= dual-homed FEX): The server is connected to […]
Nexus 5000 Series NX-OS 5.1(3)N1(1) is out
Cisco has this week released NX-OS 5.1(3)N1(1) for Nexus 5000 Series switches. See the release notes for more information, and there really is lots of information: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/switches/datacenter/nexus5000/sw/release/notes/Rel_5_1_3_N1_1/Nexus5000_Release_Notes_5_1_3_N1.html Note: The Dual-layer vPC I talked about is called Enhanced vPC (EvPC) in the release notes.
NX-OS and IOS Default Configuration Differences
I just found this a couple of days ago: http://docwiki.cisco.com/wiki/Cisco_NX-OS/IOS_Software_Default_Configuration_Differences Good summary about the default configuration differences between NX-OS and IOS. Lots of people are familiar with the settings in IOS but NX-OS is often a new experience. That document is one of the must-read documents for those who are migrating routing from good old […]
FEX Pre-provisioning
Today, in the highlight: FEX pre-provisioning. What is a FEX? It is Fabric Extender, a “remote line card” used in Cisco Nexus series switches. It is managed through its parent switch (like Nexus 5000 or Nexus 7000) but looks externally like a traditional data center access switch. In some cases you would like to configure […]
Cat6500 IOS Notes
According to SX SY ISSU Compatibility Matrix (http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/switches/lan/catalyst6500/ios/SX_SY_ISSU_Compatibility_Matrix.xlsx, link found for example in http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps708/prod_release_notes_list.html), IOS 15.0(1)SY1 will be out still this year (or, they will decide about it this year…). The file has apparently been updated in the beginning of October however. Currently the latest version for 15.0SY train is 15.0(1)SY. I’m trying to get […]
Dual-layer vPC on Nexus 5000
Doing some googling for the coming NX-OS 5.1(3)N1(1) for Nexus 5000 I found this: Cisco NX-OS Software Release 5.1(3)N1(1) for Cisco Nexus 5000 Series Switches and 2000 Series Fabric Extenders: https://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/switches/ps9441/ps9670/product_bulletin_c25-686744.pdf Update: The same document in HTML: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/switches/ps9441/ps9670/product_bulletin_c25-686744.html Yes there are the goodies like FabricPath and Adapter FEX and PTP, but who cares about those […]
Cat6500 Sup2T CMP Note
I’ve had the Sup2T’s in the lab for a couple of days now. This is the time for trying out everything I want before deploying the system to production. One target for labbing is obviously the CMP, Connectivity Management Processor, which is new for Cat6500 systems. Nexus 7000 has already had it from the beginning. […]
IOS Upgrade from Modular to Non-Modular
Note to self (not yet personally tested): When upgrading Catalyst 6500 12.2SXI IOS from modular to non-modular in dual-supervisor configuration you cannot do any kind of switchover between the supervisors. You need to reload the whole switch. Source: CSCsb07831 (Cisco login required) Apparently the standby supervisor will keep reloading if you try the switchover method, […]