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676 APPENDIX D: 3COM XRN
How to Implement
XRN—Overview
This section provides an overview on how to implement XRN in your network.
Following the steps below will ensure that your XRN network operates correctly.
1 Design your network using XRN Distributed Fabrics, taking into account all the
important considerations and recommendations (see “Important Considerations
and Recommendations” on page 676).
2 Ensure that the Switches you plan to interconnect to create an XRN Distributed
Fabric are of the same Family and are running the same version of software.
3 Create the XRN Distributed Fabric as follows:
n Switch 5500 Family—using the two SFP ports (27/28 or 51/52 depending on
type of Switch), however, before connecting up, enable the Fabric ports on the
Switch units using the instructions in the “Creating an XRN Distributed Fabric”
chapter in the Getting Started Guide that accompanies your Switch.
n Switch 5500G Family—using the built-in dedicated Fabric ports connected
using a stacking cable as described in the “Creating an XRN Distributed Fabric”
chapter in the Getting Started Guide that accompanies your Switch.
Once the Switches are interconnected to create an XRN Distributed Fabric, they
behave as if they were one Switch and can be managed using a single IP address.
4 Set up the IP information so you can begin managing and configuring the
Switches in the Distributed Fabric.
For more information on setting up IP information for your Switch so it is ready for
management, refer to the Getting Started Guide that accompanies your Switch.
5 If VLANs are required (for example, if the network is in a Layer 3 environment),
create the VLANs and assign VLAN membership to all ports.
6 Configure the Aggregated Links either manually or automatically using LACP,
ensuring they are tagged members of all VLANs.
7 Configure the router IP interfaces.
For detailed descriptions of the web interface operations and the command line
interface (CLI) commands that you require to manage the Switch please refer to
the Command Guide supplied in PDF format on the CD-ROM that accompanies
your Switch or on the 3Com Web site.
Important
Considerations and
Recommendations
This section contains important points and recommendations that you need to
consider or be aware of when designing a network using XRN .
n Bandwidth across the XRN Interconnect is detailed in Table 692. Intelligent
Local Forwarding and DRR ensures efficient use of bandwidth across the Fabric
Interconnect.
Table 692 Bandwidth across the XRN Interconnect
Switch Model Bandwidth across the XRN Interconnect
Switch 5500-SI Family 1Gbps, 2 Gbps (full duplex)
Switch 5500-EI Family 1Gbps, 2 Gbps (full duplex)
Switch 5500G-EI Family 48 Gbps, 96 Gbps (full duplex)