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Brocade FastIron X Series Chassis Hardware Installation Guide
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Connecting network devices
3
Connecting to workstations, servers, or routers
Straight-through UTP cabling is required for direct UTP attachment to workstations, servers, or
routers using network interface cards (NICs).
Fiber cabling with LC connectors is required for direct attachment to Gigabit NICs or switches and
routers.
NOTE
The 802.3ab standard (automatic MDI or MDIX detection) calls for automatic negotiation of the
connection between two 1000Base-T ports. Therefore, a crossover cable may not be required; a
straight-through cable may work as well. For more information about this feature, refer to the
FastIron Configuration Guide
.
Connecting a network device to a fiber port on the Brocade device
For direct attachment from the Brocade device to a Gigabit NIC, switch, or router, fiber cabling with
an LC connector is required.
NOTE
All physical IP interfaces on
FastIron X Series
Layer 3 devices share the same MAC address. For this
reason, if more than one connection is made between two devices, one of which is a FastIron X
Series Layer 3 device, Brocade recommends the use of virtual interfaces. It is not recommended to
connect two or more physical IP interfaces between two routers.
To connect a Brocade device to another network device using a fiber port, you must do the
following:
•
Install a fiber optic module (SFP transceiver or mini-GBIC for Gigabit Ethernet ports, or
XFP-MSA transceiver for 10-Gigabit Ethernet ports)
•
Cable the fiber optic module
The following sections provide information about performing these tasks.
Installing a fiber optic module
You must install a fiber optic module in each Gigabit Ethernet and 10-Gigabit Ethernet fiber port
you want to use.
DANGER
All fiber-optic interfaces use Class 1 Lasers.
NOTE
on page 43 for other hardware installation precautions.