Brocade Communications Systems 53-1002373-02 manual Managing switch fabric modules

Managing switch fabric modules 7

Managing switch fabric modules

This section provides information about how to manage standard switch fabric modules and high speed switch fabric modules.

NOTE

In CLI output, standard modules are referred to as generation 1 (G1) modules, and high-speed modules are referred to as generation 2 (G2) modules. The following interface modules are classified by the system as G2 modules: 8x10G, 100G modules. All other interface modules such as 4-port 10G, 2-port 10G, 20-port 1G, 24-port 1G, 48-port 1G and POS modules are classified by the system as G1 modules.

High speed switch fabric (HSF) modules can operate in Normal mode or Turbo mode. Standard switch fabric modules (SFM) can only operate in Normal mode. The HSF module is classified as a G2 module and SFM module is classified as a G1 module.

When operating in Normal mode, the system uses fixed size cells across the backplane. When operating in Turbo mode, the system uses variable size cells across the backplane. Turbo mode provides higher performance since it is a more efficient mechanism of sending cells across the backplane.

The system selects the operating mode for switch fabric modules at startup, or when the first switch fabric or interface module is installed. The system uses this mode for all modules that are subsequently installed. HSF modules will boot in Turbo mode only if all active interface modules are G2 modules. In a chassis loaded with G1 and G2 modules, the HSF modules will default to Normal mode.

NOTE

If a system is operating in Turbo mode, G1 interface modules are blocked from operation. The user has to change the switch fabric mode to Normal mode and restart the system before using the G1 interface modules.

If the system fabric mode is changed to Normal mode from Turbo mode, or vice versa, the system will not change the current operating mode unless the chassis is reloaded.

NOTE

Changes to the switch fabric operating mode do not take effect until after a system reload.

The switch fabric modes have the following restrictions:

•The system blocks discovery of any standard switch fabric (G1) module if you have issued the system-init block-g1-sfm command. Refer to “Blocking discovery of G1 switch fabric modules” on page 330.

•If the system is operating in Turbo mode, standard switch fabric modules (G1) and standard (G1) interface modules are automatically blocked.

•If there are any active G1 switch fabric modules, G2 interface modules are blocked.

•If there are any active G2 interface modules, G1 switch fabric modules are blocked.

Brocade MLX Series and Brocade NetIron XMR Hardware Installation Guide	329
53-1002373-02