[f-nsp] Brocade MLXe Module Interoperability

[Tamas Csillag]

Accoring to the BCSPNE study guide:


High-speed Switch Fabric Modules
• Gen-2 high-speed fabric (hSFM) modules support wire-speed forwarding 
for all packet sizes, including
jumbo frames
• hSFM modules are supported on Brocade MLX Series and Brocade NetIron 
XMR routers, and are
interoperable with all existing interface module
• hSFM modules are hot-swappable, which means you can install or replace 
them while the system is
powered up and running
• hSFM modules can operate in normal mode or turbo mode but will boot in 
turbo mode only if all active
interface modules are Gen-2 module
Note
Gen-1 switch fabric modules and Gen-2 hSFMs are not compatible and will 
not operate together in
the same device.

Managing Switch Fabric Modules
High-speed Switch Fabric Modules can operate in Normal mode or Turbo 
mode. Standard switch fabric
modules (SFM) can only operate in Normal mode. The hSFM module is 
classified as a G2 module and SFM
module is classified as a G1 module.
When operating in Normal mode, the system uses fixed size cells across 
the backplane. When operating in
Turbo mode, the system uses variable size cells across the backplane. 
Turbo mode provides higher
performance since it is a more efficient mechanism of sending cells 
across the backplane.
The system selects the operating mode for switch fabric modules at 
startup, or when the first switch fabric or
interface module is installed. The system uses this mode for all modules 
that are subsequently installed.
hSFM modules will boot in Turbo mode only if all active interface 
modules are G2 modules. In a chassis
loaded with G1 and G2 modules, the hSFM modules will default to Normal mode.
If the system fabric mode is changed to Normal mode from Turbo mode, or 
vice versa, the system will not
change the current operating mode unless the chassis is reloaded.
The switch fabric modes have the following restrictions:
• The system blocks discovery of any standard switch fabric (G1) module 
if you have issued the
system-init block-g1-sfm command.
• If the system is operating in Turbo mode, standard switch fabric 
modules (G1) and standard (G1) interface
modules are automatically blocked.
• If there are any active G1 switch fabric modules, G2 interface modules 
are blocked.
• If there are any active G2 interface modules, G1 switch fabric modules 
are blocked.


Since this is just a study guide, I'd ask a Brocade rep, just to be sure.

Tamas


On 04/15/2012 05:17 PM, Brant Ian Stevens wrote:
> Hello All,
>
> I am looking at a requirement that will call for the use of both the
> following modules in either an MLXe-16 or MLXe-32 chassis:
>
> NI-MLX- 10Gx8-M
> NI-MLX- 1GX48-T-A
>
> The former is a Gen 2 card, while the latter is a "Gen 1.1" module,
> according to the MLX Module Compatibility Document.
>
> Which mode will the chassis operate in, if both of these modules are
> installed in the same box?
>
> Regards,
> Brant
>
>
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