Scenario 1: Plug and play using the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch for blade deployment into an existing network

In this section, we provide an overview of the plug-and-play process

with the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch, after configuring Link

Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) on Cisco Nexus 5010 switch

ports. Dell’s plug-and-play features with Simple Switch Mode allow

for quick integration of Dell blade switch into a network. We provide

detailed instructions in Appendix A.

1.On the Cisco Nexus 5010 switch, set up a four-port port channel with LACP using the ports that will be connected to Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch.

2.Connect cables from the Cisco Nexus 5010 switch to the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch. The Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch will automatically create a Link Aggregation Group (LAG) and establish network connectivity for the blade servers into the existing network.

NOTE: Because the Dell PowerConnect M8024 switch forms the LAG

as you cable up the ports, cabling will not create loops, removing the

need for STP.

Figure 2 illustrates the completed configuration for Scenario 1.

Figure 2: Graphic representation of Scenario 1.

How to deploy the Dell M8024 family of switches in a Cisco Nexus network

6