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Step 4: Configure Flex switches (Docker)

Configure the Flex switches in each chassis.

Before you begin

Ensure that all appropriate ports are enabled, including external ports from the Flex switch to the top-of-rack switch and internal ports to the CMM.

You can implement VLAN tagging in the Flex switches or top-of-rack switches, depending on the needs and complexity of your environment. If you implement tagging from the Flex switches, enable VLAN tagging from the Flex switches.

Ensure that VLAN IDs are set up for the management and data networks.

Important
For each Flex System chassis, ensure that the fabric type of the expansion card in each server in the chassis is compatible with the fabric type of all Flex switches in the same chassis. For example, if Ethernet switches are installed in a chassis, all servers in that chassis must have Ethernet connectivity through the LAN-on-motherboard connector or an Ethernet expansion card. For more information about configuring Flex switches, see Configuring I/O modules in the Flex Systems online documentation.

Procedure

The configuration steps might vary, depending on the type of Flex switches that are installed. For more information about each of the supported Flex switches, see Flex System network switches in the Flex Systems online documentation.

The following figure is an example scenario that illustrates VLAN tagging that is implemented in the Flex switches and enabled on only the management network. The management VLAN is set up as VLAN 10.

Note
You can configure a data VLAN by enabling VLAN tagging on the data network.
Figure 1. Example configuration for Flex switches on virtually separate data and management networks (VMware ESXi) in which VLAN tagging is enabled on the management network
Illustrates configuring VLAN tagging on only the management network

Complete the following steps to configure the Flex switches for this scenario:

  1. Configure the Flex switch in Flex switch bay 1:
    1. Define the management VLAN (in the example, we chose VLAN 10) to contain the external port where the cable is routed to the top-of-rack management switch (Ext1).
    2. Define an internal port to be part of VLAN 10 (management VLAN). Ensure that VLAN trunking is enabled on that port.
  2. Configure the Flex switch in Flex switch bay 2:
    Tip
    Flex switch bay 2 is actually the third module bay if you are looking at the back of the chassis:
    1. Define the management VLAN (in the example, we chose VLAN 10) to contain the external port where the cable is routed to the top-of-rack management switch.
    2. Define an internal port to be part of VLAN 10 (management VLAN). Ensure that VLAN trunking is enabled on that port.