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Deploying FCoE (FIP Snooping) on Dell PowerConnect 10G Switches: M8024-k, 8024, and 8024F
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Introduction
The PowerConnect™ M8024-k, 8024 and 8024F switches are now DCB/DCBx capable with a
downloadable update. Starting with firmware 4.2, the latest PowerConnect™ 10 Gigabit switches can
now be used as an FCoE Transit Switch (FIP Snooping Bridge, T11, BB-5). With this new firmware
implementation Converged Network Adapters (CNAs) can be used in the rack-mount or blade server to
enable access to Fibre Channel networks and their storage.
NOTE: The PowerConnect™ M8024 (predecessor to the M8024-k) does not support the FIP Snooping
capability and will not be supported for any of the described scenarios.
This document provides an easy to use guide for configuring FIP Snooping on the Dell
PowerConnect™ M8024-k Blade Switch (Figure 1), and the PowerConnect™ 8024F
(Figure 2).
Dell PowerConnect™ M8024-k Switch (10G Ethernet) Figure 1.
Dell PowerConnect™ 8024F (10G Ethernet) Figure 2.
Basic Terminology
FIP snooping
With FIP snooping enabled on the PowerConnect™ 8024 model switches, FIP logins, solicitations, and
advertisements are monitored. In this monitoring or snooping process the switch gathers information
pertaining to the ENode and FCF addresses. With this information the switch will then place filters that
only allow access to ENode devices that have logged-in successfully. This enables the FCoE VLAN to
deny all other traffic except this lossless FCoE storage traffic.
The filtering process also secures the end-to-end path between the ENode device and the FCF. The
ENode will only be able to talk with the FCF in which it has logged into.
FIP snooping bridge (FSB)
With a switch configured to performing FIP snooping the industry term for this switch is FSB or FIP
snooping bridge. It is performing FIP snooping as described in the previous term.
FCF
FCoE forwarders (FCFs) act as an Ethernet and FC switch combined. All typical termination functions
that would occur on a FC switch occur on the FCF. FCF’s give VF_Ports and VE_Ports for their virtual FC
interfaces.