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Deploying the Dell PowerConnect 8100 with the Cisco Catalyst
4
Introduction
New demanding campus workloads are compelling Network administrators to take another look at the
campus core/aggregation layers. The existing products like Cisco Catalyst 6500 platforms are aging and
cannot support the new deployments. Network administrators are exploring options to either reposition
the existing gear or replace it. Therefore, it is critical to understand how the newer campus
aggregation/core platforms interoperate or replace the Cisco Catalyst switches.
This document provides quick reference guidance in key areas for configuring or integrating the Dell
PowerConnect 8100 series switches with the Cisco Catalyst 6500 series. The most critical aspects and
differences with deploying VLAN (Virtual Local Area Networks) configuration, Link Aggregation,
preferred configuration for Spanning Tree and addressing Cisco proprietary protocols are covered in
this white paper.
The Dell PowerConnect 8100 series switches include the Dell PowerConnect 8132 (Figure 1),
PowerConnect 8132F (Figure 2), PowerConnect 8164 (Figure 3) and the PowerConnect 8164F (Figure 4).
Note: For this document the Cisco Catalyst WS-C6504-E was used.
Figure 1. Dell PowerConnect 8132
.
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 LNK 23 ACT
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 LNK 23 ACT
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
Dell PowerConnect 8164
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47
Figure
4.
LNK LNK
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48
ACT
1 2
ACT
Dell PowerConnect 8164F
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47
LNK LNK
2 4 6 8
10 12
14 16
18 20
22 24
26 28
30 32
34 36
38 40
42 44
46 48
ACT
1 2
ACT