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SmartConnect User’s Guide
14
Chapter 1: VSE SmartConnect Software Operation BMD00082, February 2009
The VSE SmartConnect software permits the uplink ports to auto-negotiate the flow-control
settings of each link (the default setting). Port characteristics can also be configured to speci-
fied values. All of the trunked uplink ports in each VSG must be configured to the same port
characteristics in order to participate (form an active link) in the trunk.
Note – In the default switch configuration in which all external ports (even those of different
physical types) belong to one trunk, some external ports may be automatically disabled by the
switch to satisfy general trunking restrictions. See “Trunking Rules” on page 32 for details.
With Network Adaptor Teaming configured on the server blade Ethernet NICs, the servers can
maintain redundant links to multiple switches within the blade chassis to provide enhanced
reliability. The L2 Failover option allows the VSE SmartConnect software to disable the
server-blade ports when all of its external uplinks are inactive. This causes the Network Adap-
tor Teaming software to failover to the other switch(es) in the blade server chassis.
The VSE SmartConnect software permits effective management of the server blades using the
Serial Over LAN (SOL) feature over a VLAN dedicated to the blade chassis management sys-
tem. If no external ports are enabled, Layer 2 Failover must be disabled to use SOL.
Most administrators will find the Browser-based Interface (BBI) adequate for configuring and
using the VSE SmartConnect software. However, a command-line interface (CLI) is available
for users familiar with the CLI, or who want to use scripting facilities. Other interface prod-
ucts, such as the IBM Director or Blade Harmony Manager, may also be used for managing
some or all switch functions.