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A typical, preferred BladeCenter T network topology is shown in the following
illustration. See the IBM Eserver BladeCenter T Planning and Installation Guide
for more information and other topologies and guidelines.
MAC
1a
1b
2a
2b
3a
3b
4a
4b
5a
5b
6a
6b
7a
7b
8a
8b
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
MAC
1a
1b
2a
2b
3a
3b
4a
4b
5a
5b
6a
6b
7a
7b
8a
8b
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
MAC
1a
1b
2a
2b
3a
3b
4a
4b
5a
5b
6a
6b
7a
7b
8a
8b
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Multiport aggregation group
1 Gbps or 100 Mbps links
10/100 Mbps
management
links
IBM Director
- Chassis management
- Application deployment
- Internal switches
Establishment
backbone
Dual
external
switches
Network administrator
- Infrastructure
management
- Network hardware
and software
L2 Switch
L2+ Switch
L2+ Switch
Switch A
Mgmt
Mod
Switch B
Switch A
Mgmt
Mod
Switch B
Switch A
Mgmt
Mod
Switch B
In this configuration, each BladeCenter T unit contains two Ethernet switch modules
and one management module. The external ports on the switch modules are
configured for multiport link aggregation groups, or trunks, as are the corresponding
ports on the attached external LAN switches. Additionally, every port in the switch
module in I/O-module bay 1 (switch A in this illustration) in the BladeCenter T units
is connected to the same external LAN switch, and every port in the switch module
in I/O-module bay 2 (switch B in this illustration) in the BladeCenter T units is
connected to another external LAN switch.
Observe the following guidelines when creating this topology:
1. The external ports on the BladeCenter T switch modules are designed for
point-to-point, full-duplex operation to a compatible LAN switch or router.
Configure a corresponding multiport link aggregation group, or trunk, in both the
switch module and the attached LAN switch before installing the cables. The
connection options are as follows, in order of preference:
v Multiport link aggregation group or trunk, 1 Gbps (1000 Mbps) per port
v Single-uplink port, 1 Gbps
v Multiport link aggregation group or trunk, 100 Mbps per port
2.
Connect the management-module 10/100 Mbps Ethernet port to a separate
layer 2 network for security. If a separate network is not available, you can
attach the Ethernet ports of the management module and switch modules to the
same layer 2 network.
32 BladeCenter T Type 8720 and 8730: Hardware Maintenance Manual and Troubleshooting Guide