Hello everyone! I was recently tasked with connecting a Brocade SN6000B switch to an existing switch fabric, so I thought I’d write an article on how to do this as there are many conflicting articles on the Internet.
So let’s do it, step by step! So let’s go!
Before moving on to the logical configuration, we need to make sure that the correct modules and cables are connected between our switches.
If the switches are close together, we can use a standard SW (shortwave) module with a minimum of OM3 (blue) or multimode cable.
If our switches are in different locations and the distance is more than 400m, 1300ft, or 0.2 miles (yes, I like this distance conversion), we will need to use an LW (Long Wave) module, which is usually blue latch, and use SM (singlemode) cables for long distances.
We usually connect the same port number to both switches, but this is not required.
The physical connection will look like this:
Switch A Port 15 to Switch B port 15 , where there are again the same modules and the same cables. If you are using patch panels in the middle, make sure you are connecting to the correct ports.
IN ORDER! So now that we have a physical connection, let’s go to Brocade and configure these ports.
Another very important step is to make sure the switch ID is different from others. In my case the other IDs are 115 and 116, so we’ll give this another ID like 17.
Now let’s see how we do it.
Well, first, we need to go to web management for our Brocade switch, which is usually https: // ip_address (change ip_address to your own IP, yes!) And log in.
Once there, we move on to Switch Admin.
Now, in the “Domain ID” section, we change the domain ID to whatever we want, but different from the other parameters.
Okay, now let’s hit Apply and restart the switch.
Make sure the switch is in disabled mode to be able to make this change.
Make sure you are reboot and not Fastboot.
Ok, now that we have rebooted the switch, let’s configure the port.
In my case, I have port0 on a new switch, connected to port21 on an existing switch.
Now we just need to configure each port as an E-port and then if the link is correct, etc., they will automatically negotiate which one is upstream and which is downstream .
To do this, right-click on port0 and select Modify .
Now make sure that only port E is checked.
Now for the configuration, we basically leave everything at the default. We just change the speed to the maximum port speed. In my case, this is 8G.
Now we click Next and on the next screen we click Save .
After that, we do the same setting on a different port and then wait to get this status on each.
One is directed upstream and the other is directed downstream.
That’s all, done. Now what happens in the background is that the switch is added to the fabric and all zoning and alias configurations are copied to its database.
I really hope you enjoyed this article.