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April 9th, 2009 07:00

ISL beginner ?s

Hello all. Any and all information would be appreciated.

I currently have two DS5000b
I would like to ISL a SW200E into the mix.

All switches are running same FW 6.0.0.0c
All switches are set to Interop mode "Brocade Native Fabric"
All switches have at least "zoning" and "web" licensing the 5000s have an additional "on demand second and first ports" licensing (?)
All switches are listed as "Principle" currently


Domain IDs
DS5000s 1
DS5000s 1
SW200E 2

The 200 can and will be cleared of all/any previous zoning information/config

End goal is to simply have this smaller 200 connect ito a dev/test environment and have a few host utilize some of the available production storage on our clariion.

1. Can anyone clarify the steps to link the 200 up to the 5000s or point me to some docs that would do so? links?
2. If domain IDs are to be unique how is it the 5000s are the same and have been? Would this mean the 200 becoming a member would need adusted to become a member of this fabric? Changing the domain ID on the 200 to "1" ?
3. Also along similar logic, would I leave the 5000s in principle status as the "core" so to speak and have the 200 feed from them as a subordinate?
4. With a blank 200 config, once physically connected, will the 200 auto pull the 5000s config to learn the fabric and zoning?
5. In regards to the ISL ports, I'm simply trying to connect this 200 for a run into a test environment. Technically I can utilize just one physical ISL connection correct even though its not recommended? Basically it is test only, so if the one link becomes severed no harm really. This also won't cost me additional licenses as I have read on some of these posts correct?

Hopefully I have asked these question appropriately... try not to beat me up to bad :-)

Thanks.

2 Intern

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5.7K Posts

April 9th, 2009 08:00

1) Simply plug in a patch cable between 2 switches. More later.
2) The 5k's are not connected together so the domain ids can be the same. Simply never connect the 2.
3) Correct.
4) Yes.
5) Yes.


I will look up some usefull URLs for you later or perhaps somebody else will in the mean time. I'm off for home for my weekend !

44 Posts

April 9th, 2009 08:00

Thanks for the quick repsonse. I'm at least off in the right direction.

Any supporting docs the group can provide would be most helpful.

Thanks for your time RRR. Have a great weekend.

2 Intern

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5.7K Posts

April 9th, 2009 13:00

1) In powerlink in the upper left type "switch isl guide". This will list enough guides to get you going !

If you like my answers, mark the question answered and reward the ones who helped you.

9 Legend

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20.4K Posts

April 9th, 2009 14:00

1) In powerlink in the upper left type "switch isl
guide". This will list enough guides to get you going
!


i don't see them ? Are you teasing us again ..you and your EMC partner goodies ? :)

2 Intern

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5.7K Posts

April 12th, 2009 11:00

Oh c'mon....... you're teasing me. It's so incredibly easy to find this information.......

9 Legend

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20.4K Posts

April 12th, 2009 12:00

1) In powerlink in the upper left type "switch isl guide". This will list enough guides to get you going !


i just got what you were trying to say ...you mean in the upper left corner use one of the search boxes to search for "switch isl guide".

2 Intern

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5.7K Posts

April 13th, 2009 03:00

Yup :)
That one.

44 Posts

April 14th, 2009 06:00

I did find some ISL docs, but they are chapters and pages of data to sift through. Not a huge deal I'll study up. Jacking this additional switch into our production environment makes me a bit uneasy and unfortunately we don't have any test environment for the fabric/infrastructure. I'm really looking for the ABCs here or a dummies guide :-)

RRR, as you mentioned if you have any links to correct manuals and software setup for a noob please pass them along.

Thanks again for the assist.

2 Intern

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5.7K Posts

April 14th, 2009 07:00

All right, I'll look up a good document and find the exact page for you, but creating an ISL is really simple !

- Make sure the domain ids are different of all switches in the SAME fabric;
- Connect a patchcable between 2 switches;
- Watch the fabric merge (you don't have to do anything);
- Manage the new, larger fabric from any switch you like.

If you need a multi ISL, a trunk, you need a trunking license.

PS I'll look up a document for you ;)

2 Intern

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5.7K Posts

April 14th, 2009 11:00

The "Web Tools Administrator¿s Guide" (300-008-669) is a good one.
From page 136 you can read some interesting stuff on ISL's.

Plus what I said earlier on HOW to connect 2 switches should enable you to enlarge your fabric. It's no rocket science !

1) Make sure the domain ids are unique, otherwise the ISL won't come up and the fabrics won't merge (an empty fabric is also a fabric)
2) connect the 2 switches by a fiber patch cable
3) watch what happend in de GUI (webtools). On the left you now see the fabric grows from one 5000 to a somewhat larger one with a 5000 and a 200E

Done :)

2 Intern

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5.7K Posts

April 14th, 2009 11:00

This old 2002 document is perhaps somewhat easier to read: "Departmental Switch Model DS-16B2 Interswitch Link (ISL) Trunking User Guide"

I suggest you read through it. It's all "good to know" stuff ;)

2 Intern

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5.7K Posts

April 14th, 2009 11:00

the 5000s have an additional "on demand second and first ports" licensing (?)


This means the 5000's, which come standard with half the amount of ports, so only 16, have 2 additional 8 port extensions, so the 5000's are now full and have 32 activated ports.

44 Posts

April 14th, 2009 13:00

sorry for the additional questions but you are the smart one... right? :-)

so I couldn't find the 2002 document you suggeted. I know "its so easy to find" but I searched quite a bit and didn't locate it. I'm still under the impression that Powerlink is a different experience depending on who you are...doc ID # possibly?

So, the "subordinate" role title. I'm getting the impression that this isn't configurable but more of a learned option possibly (?). If so what gives one switch the priority to be principle. First active? Domain ID?

2 Intern

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5.7K Posts

April 15th, 2009 00:00

EMC also has instructor lead courses. They're really good ;)

2 Intern

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5.7K Posts

April 15th, 2009 01:00

I typed in "Departmental Switch Model DS-16B2", scrolled down a bit (the 14th document).....

the full doc name is
Departmental Switch
Model DS-16B2
Interswitch Link (ISL) Trunking
Version 3.0

User guide
P/N 069001115-A01

If you still can't find it, let me know and I'll mail it to you if you provide me the email address.
Also, try this link: (log on to Powerlink first) https://powerlink.emc.com/nsepn/webapps/btg548664833igtcuup4826/km/live1/en_US/Legacy_Conversion/PL_Support/Doc_Library/69001115a1.pdf?mtcs=ZXZlbnRUeXBlPUttQ2xpY2tTZWFyY2hSZXN1bHRzRXZlbnQsZG9jdW1lbnRJZD0wOTAxNDA2NjgwMDI2YWZjLGRhdGFTb3VyY2U9RENUTV9lbl9VU18w
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