IBM Nortel Networks L2/3, Manual

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Nortel Networks L2/3 Ethernet Switch Module for IBM
Eserver
BladeCenter
3.1 Product description
The new Nortel Networks Layer 2/3 Copper and Fiber GbE Switch Modules for IBM
Eserver
BladeCenter serve as a switching and routing fabric for the BladeCenter server chassis. In
addition to the Layer 2 switching capabilities, these switches introduce the expanded
capabilities of Layer 3 routing. Up to four copper or fiber Gb Ethernet modules can reside in
the I/O module bays of the BladeCenter chassis. The modules can be hot-plugged into an
IBM
Eserver
BladeCenter without disrupting normal operations.
The Nortel Networks L2/3 GbESM connects to the server blades via the 14 internal GbE
interfaces (server ports) over the BladeCenter midplane. It supplies six external copper or
multimode fiber GbE interfaces for outside communication (shown in Figure 3-1). The switch
is managed via two internal 100 Mbps ports for communication to the BladeCenter
management module. A RS232 serial console management interface is also available.
Figure 3-1 Nortel Networks L2/3 GbESM connections
Full Layer 2 switching and Layer 3 routing provide flexible in-chassis traffic management and
security. The Nortel Networks Layer 2/3 Copper and Fiber GbE Switch Modules for
IBM
Eserver
BladeCenter provides full Layer 2 switching with availability capabilities such
as advanced spanning tree protocols, Link Aggregation Control, Cisco Etherchannel, and
802.1Q VLANs, application delivery and performance features such as granular QOS
(Differentiated Service Code Point 802.1p), Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP)
snooping, and multicast.
In particular, the switch modules support up to 16,384 MAC addresses, 4,096 address
resolution protocol (ARP) entries, and up to 2,048 dynamic route entries to ensure a high