Connecting a NetIron MLX Series Router to a Network Device
December 2008
© 2008 Foundry Networks, Inc.
4-5
Enabling and Disabling the Interfaces
By default, all NetIron MLX Series interfaces are disabled. To enable an interface, you must enter the
enable
command at the appropriate interface configuration level of the CLI. For example, to enable the management
interface, enter the
enable
command at the management interface configuration level of the CLI:
NetIron(config-if-mgmt-1)# enable
Syntax:
enable
You can disable each of these interfaces using the
disable
command at the appropriate interface configuration
level of the CLI. For example, to disable the management port, enter the
disable
command at the management
interface configuration level of the CLI:
NetIron(config-if-mgmt-1)# disable
Syntax:
disable
Understanding How the Management Port Functions
You must be aware of how the NetIron MLX Series system’s management port functions as described in the
following:
•
The management port allows you to configure, monitor, and manage the NetIron MLX Series system only. As
a result, this port has the same limited functionality as an IP host port.
•
You cannot enable and run routing protocols on the management port.
•
The management port supports static routes and directly connected routes, which are installed in the
management module’s routing table. However, these routes are not installed in the interface module’s routing
table. Therefore, the interface modules are not aware of the management port’s static or directly connected
routes.
•
If you configure the redistribution of directly connected or static routes for a particular routing protocol, the
routing protocol will redistribute directly connected or static routes associated with the interface module ports
but not those associated with the management port.
To display configuration information and statistics about the management port, you can enter the
show interface
management 1
command at any CLI level.
Connecting a NetIron MLX Series Router
You can connect a NetIron MLX Series router to another Ethernet network device. The NetIron MLX Series router
supports connections to other vendors’ as well as Foundry’s network devices.
The Ethernet interface module’s available with the NetIron MLX Series are described in “Interface Modules” on
page 2-10. These include interface modules with XFP fiber, SFP fiber, and RJ-45 copper interfaces. Details
regarding the SFP and XFP fiber-optic modules that are supported on these interface modules are described
there as well.
To connect a NetIron MLX Series router to another network device, you must do the following:
•
Install the fiber-optic modules if required
•
Cable the modules with either copper cable or fiber optic cable as required
The following sections provide information about performing these tasks as well as cleaning the fiber-optic
connectors and troubleshooting network connections.
Installing a Fiber-Optic Module
To connect a NetIron MLX Series router to another network device using a fiber port, do the following:
•
Install a fiber optic module (SFP transceiver or XFP as required by your interface module)
