Brocade Communications Systems Brocade VDX 8770-4 - Manual (Page 40)

20 Brocade VDX 8770-4 Hardware Reference Manual
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Establishing a serial connection to the Brocade VDX 8770-4
3
The configuration information is mirrored to the standby MM, if you have installed one, which
allows the current configuration to remain available even if the active MM fails. The configuration
information for the Brocade VDX 8770-4 is stored in the CID cards and the flash memory of the
MMs. The configuration can be backed up to a workstation (uploaded) and then downloaded to the
active MM if necessary.
By default, the Brocade VDX 8770-4 is in VCS™ mode. It cannot be configured in standalone mode.
Without a VCS license, the switch can be part of a two-node cluster where two switches are
connected in VCS mode to form an Ethernet fabric. To be part of a larger cluster, you must install a
VCS license.
In VCS mode, the switch is part of an VCS fabric involving two or more VCS-enabled switches. VCS
technology embodies the concept of distributed intelligence. Distributed intelligence means that all
configuration and destination information is automatically distributed to each member switch in
the fabric. Distributed intelligence has three major characteristics:
• The fabric is self-forming. When two or more VCS-enabled switches with unique Rbridge IDs are
connected to form an VCS fabric, the fabric is automatically created and the switches discover
the common fabric configuration.
• The fabric is masterless. No single switch stores configuration information or controls fabric
operations. Any switch can fail or be removed without causing disruptive fabric downtime or
delayed traffic.
• The fabric is aware of all members, devices, and Virtual Machines (VMs). Automatic Migration
of Port Profiles (AMPP) supports VM migration to another physical server. If the VM moves, it is
automatically reconnected to all of its original resources.
Establishing a serial connection to the Brocade VDX 8770-4
The serial port is located on the port side of the Brocade VDX 8770-4. The switch uses an RJ-45
connector for the serial port. An RJ-45 to DB9 adapter is also provided with the Brocade VDX
8770-4. The cable supplied with the switch is a rollover cable. The serial port is used to connect
to a workstation to configure the Brocade VDX 8770-4 IP address before connecting the switch to a
fabric or IP network.
NOTE
To protect the serial port from damage, keep the cover on the port when not in use.
To establish a serial connection to the serial (console) port on the Brocade VDX 8770-4, complete
the following steps.
1. Verify that the Brocade VDX 8770-4 is powered on and that POST is complete by verifying that
all power LED indicators on the management, switch fabric, and line card modules display a
steady green light.
2. Remove the shipping cap from the serial port (labeled I0I0I) on the active MM.
By default, the MM installed in slot M1 is the active MM unless an error occurs. The active MM
is also indicated by an illuminated blue LED labeled ACTIVE.
3. Use the serial cable provided with the Brocade VDX 8770-4 to connect the serial port on the
active MM to a computer workstation.