Dell Active Fabric Manager Deployment Manual
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Dell Active Fabric Manager Deployment Manual

Dell Active Fabric Manager Deployment Manual

Dell fabric manager deployment guide 1.0.0
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Dell Fabric Manager
Deployment Guide 1.0.0

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Summary of Contents for Dell Active Fabric Manager

  • Page 1 Dell Fabric Manager Deployment Guide 1.0.0...

  • Page 2: Notes, Cautions, And Warnings

    Information in this publication is subject to change without notice. © 2012 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of these materials in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden. Trademarks used in this text: Dell...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Contents Notes, Cautions, and Warnings....................2 1 Introduction..........................7 ......................7 Conventional Core Versus Distributed Core ..............................7 Conventional Core ..............................8 Distributed Core ..............................9 Key Advantages ............................9 Designing a Distributed Core ..............................10 Terminology ...........................11 Gathering Useful Information ..................11 Key Considerations for Designing a Distributed Core ....................13 Selecting a Distributed Core Design Template ..........................13...
  • Page 4 ......................29 Pre-Deployment – Step 3: Management IP ......................30 Pre-Deployment – Step 4: Software Images ......................30 Pre-Deployment – Step 5: DHCP Integration ...........................31 Pre-Deployment – Step 6: Output ........................31 Pre-Deployment – Step 7: Summary 5 Deploying and Validating the Core..................33 ......................35 Viewing Deployment and Validation Status 6 Understanding Core Phases....................37 7 Operations Allowed During Each Core State...............39...
  • Page 5 ...................................59 Settings ..............................59 TFTP Settings ............................59 Syslog IP Addresses ............................60 SNMP Configuration ..............................60 CLI Credentials ..............................61 Data Retention ..............................61 Client Settings ............................61 Managing User Accounts ..............................62 Adding a User ..............................63 Deleting a User ..............................63 Editing a User ..........................64 Changing Your Password ..............................64 Unlocking a User ............................64...

  • Page 7: Introduction

    Introduction Dell Fabric Manager (DFM) is a graphical user interface (GUI) based network automation and orchestration tool that allows you design, build, deploy, and optimize a distributed core for your current and future workload requirements. This tool helps you simplify network operations, automate tasks, and improve efficiency in the data center and campus environments.

  • Page 8: Distributed Core

    The Dell Fabric Manager views the distributed core as one logical switch.

  • Page 9: Key Advantages

    Key Advantages The key advantages of a distributed core architecture are: • Simplified fabric • Higher bandwidth • Highly resilient • Higher availability • Low power consumption • Less cooling • Lower latency • Lower cost • Less rack space •...

  • Page 10: Terminology

    This section contains the following topics: • Terminology • Gather Useful Information • Key Core Design Considerations • Select a Core Design Template • Type 1: Large Core Design • Type 2: Medium Core Design • Type 3: Small Core Design Terminology The following terms are unique to the design and deployment of a distributed core: •...

  • Page 11: Gathering Useful Information

    Gathering Useful Information Before you begin, gather the following useful information: • Comma separated values (.csv) file that contains all the chassis MAC addresses for the switches. If you do not have this file, write down the chassis MAC addresses. •...
  • Page 12 You can deploy up to four distributed cores. However, the distributed cores do not communicate with each other. • DFM manages Dell Z9000 and S4810 switches. CAUTION: If you are already using a deployed switch, you must reset the factory settings. The switch must be in BMP mode.

  • Page 13: Selecting A Distributed Core Design Template

    • The uplinks or interlinks must be in area 0 for OSPF. • Interlink over-subscription ratio. NOTE: The Interconnect bandwidth link is fixed and based on the core type: • For a Type 1: Large Core and Type 2: Medium Core the interconnect bandwidth is 40 GbE. •...

  • Page 14: Type 2: Medium Core Design

    Use the Type 1: Large Core design when: • The line rate-performance with an oversubscription ratio of 1:1 between the spines and leaves is required. • The current and future planned uplinks and downlinks on the leaves for the distributed core is less than or equal to 2048 ports.
  • Page 15 Use the Type 2: Medium Core design when: • An interconnect link bandwidth between the spines and leaves at a 40 GbE line rate is required. • The current and future planned uplinks and downlinks on the leaves for your core is less than or equal to 1536 ports.

  • Page 16: Type 3: Small Core Design

    Type 3: Small Core Design Use the Type 3: Small Core design when: • An interconnect link bandwidth between the spines and leaves of 10 GbE is required. • The current and future planned uplinks and downlinks on the leaves for your core is less than or equal to 960 ports.

  • Page 17: Getting Started

    After you do the basic installation of the Dell Fabric Manager (DFM), you must configured it. This is done using the Configuration Wizard when the application first starts, as shown below. You can also start the configuration wizard at the Home >...

  • Page 18: Flowchart For Designing And Deploying A Distributed Core

    Flowchart for Designing and Deploying a Distributed Core How to Design and Deploy a Distributed Core To design and deploy a distributed core: Gather Useful Information. Design a Distributed Core 3. Build the physical network. 4. Configure the TFTP, SNMP, and CLI Credentials settings.

  • Page 19: Using The Core Design Wizard

    Using the Core Design Wizard Use the Core Design Wizard at the Home > Getting Started screen or the Cores > Core Deployment > Design > New Core screen to design a two-tier distributed core (spine and leaf architecture) based on your workload requirements for your current and future needs.

  • Page 20: Core Design - Step 2: Core Name And Type

    Core Design – Step 2: Core Name and Type Use the Core Design Wizard at the Home > Getting Started screen to design a two-tier distributed core (spine and leaf architecture) based on the workload requirements for your current and future needs. To simplify and automate the design process, the Core Design provides three templates to build the following types of distributed cores: •...

  • Page 21: Core Design - Step 3: Port Count

    – When you specify the name of the distributed core,Dell Fabric Manager automatically names the nodes (spines and leaves) in the distributed core with the core name as the prefix. For example, if the name of the core is EastCore, the node names assigned are EastCore-Spine-1 and EastCore-Leaf1.

  • Page 22: Core Design - Step 4: Interlink Configuration

    CAUTION: If you do not specify any additional links in the core design for future expansion: • Any future expansion requires rewiring the hardware. • IP addresses are not reserved. • You might have to bring down currently deployed switches to expand the core. For information on how to expand the core, see Expanding the Core.

  • Page 23: Core Design - Step 5: Uplink Configuration

    Core Design – Step 5: Uplink Configuration The Uplink Configuration page displays the port bandwidth (a read-only field) and the number of specified ports entered on the Core Name and Type and Port Count screens. Use the Uplink Configuration screen to configure the uplink protocol for the edge port uplinks to the WAN.
  • Page 24 After the distributed core design is approved, the wiring plan is then typically given to your data center operator who uses this information to build the physical network according to the distributed core design. Review the wiring plans and then export them to a file. The distributed core design configuration is displayed in the following formats from the View pull-down menu.

  • Page 25: Core Design - Step 8: Summary

    Make sure the software version is the same for each type of switch across the core. b) Download the software image for each type of Dell switch Z9000 or S4810. c) Stage the software images on the TFTP site.

  • Page 27: Using The Pre-Deployment Wizard

    Using the Pre-deployment Wizard To prepare the distributed core for deployment, complete the following tasks using the Pre-deployment Wizard. Pre-deployment – Step 1: Introduction Pre-deployment – Step 2: Assign Switch Identities Pre-deployment – Step 3: Management IP Pre-deployment – Step 4: Software Images Pre-deployment –...

  • Page 28: Flowchart For Preparing The Distributed Core For Deployment

    Figure 2. Pre-Deployment Flowchart Flowchart for preparing the distributed core for deployment NOTE: The pre-deployment flowchart does not list all the prerequisites. For more information, see Prerequisites. Pre-Deployment Screens Use the following Pre-deployment screens to prepare the distributed core for deployment. These screens automate the deployment process.

  • Page 29: Pre-Deployment - Step 2: Assign Switch Identities

    NOTE: Before you begin, obtain the CSV file that contains the chassis MAC addresses, service tag, and serials numbers for each switch provided from Dell manufacturing or manually enter this information. To assign switch identities: Locate the CSV file that contains the chassis MAC addresses, serial numbers, and service tags for the switches in the distributed core.

  • Page 30: Pre-Deployment - Step 4: Software Images

    IP address and the location of a TFTP file server. The file server maintains a configuration file and an approved version of FTOS for the Dell Z9000 and S4810 switches. The switch automatically configures itself by loading and installing an embedded FTOS image with the startup configuration file.

  • Page 31: Pre-Deployment - Step 6: Output

    Navigate to the Cores > Core Deployment > Deploy > Pre-deployment Configuration > Software Images screen. Click Save to ... and then specify the location to save the generated DHCP configuration file. You can also copy and paste the configuration into the DHCP server. Install the DHCP file onto the DHCP server before your deploy the core.

  • Page 33: Deploying And Validating The Core

    Deploying and Validating the Core Use the Core Deployment screen to deploy the distributed core. Make sure that the designed core matches the deployed core. DFM prompts you to fix any errors when you deploy the distributed core. To view the DHCP file for the selected core, navigate to the Core Deployment >...
  • Page 34 For information about the progress and status of selected nodes and operations allowed during a core state, see Operations Allowed During Each Core State Understanding Core Phases. 12. Click on the Errors tab to view the following type of errors from the Select Errors to View pull-down menu. a) Discovered Switch Errors—If you have discovered switch errors, log on to switch console to isolate the fault.

  • Page 35: Viewing Deployment And Validation Status

    b) Undiscovered Switch Errors—If you have undiscovered switch errors, log on to switch console to isolate the fault. Make sure that the switch has been power cycled on and check the physical connection. c) Configuration Errors—Click the View Mismatch button to view the configuration errors. Review the configuration mismatch and correct it.

  • Page 37: Understanding Core Phases

    Understanding Core Phases DFM allows you to create a distributed core design, make changes to the pre-deployment configuration, deploy the core, and validate the core designed with the discovered core. DFM provides up-to-date status during each phase of the core from design to validate. The DFM displays any pending steps required that you need to complete to ensure the distributed core is fully functional for each core design.

  • Page 39: Operations Allowed During Each Core State

    Operations Allowed During Each Core State Use the following table to determine which operations are allowed during the design, pre-deployment configuration, deployment, and validation states. Table 1. Operations Allowed the Each Core State Design Pre-Deploy Deployment State Validation State Operation Allowed State Configuration State...
  • Page 40 Stopped / Error / • View DHCP Complete Configuration • View Deployment and Validation Status • Delete Core Complete Partial Complete / Not Started / In- Incomplete / Partial Complete / Complete progress / • View Wiring Plan Complete Stopped / Error / •...

  • Page 41: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting Use this section to troubleshooting a deployed distributed core. This section contains the following topics: • Validation Errors • Validating Connectivity to the ToR • Switch Deployment Status Errors Switch Deployment Status Errors Use the following table to troubleshoot switch deployment status errors. Table 2.
  • Page 42 CONFIG FILE TRANSFER Configuration File Transfer 1. Verify the connectivity to the FAILED Failed TFTP server from the DFM server. 2. Restart the deployment of the switch from the Core Development > Deploy > Deploy and Validate Core screen by selecting the switch from the list and then click on the Deploy Selected button.
  • Page 43 2. Make any necessary fixes. 3. Restart the deployment of the switch from the Core Development > Deploy > Deploy and Validate Core screen by selecting the switch from the list and then click on the Deploy Selected button. NOTE: The switch is in BMP mode. PROTOCOL CONFIG UPLOAD Protocol Configuration Information only.

  • Page 44: Validating Connectivity To The Tor

    NOTE: The switch is not in BMP mode. UPLINK RECONFIGURED Uplink re-configured, Re- Restart the deployment of the switch REDEPLOY REQUIRED deployment of Switch is from the Core Development > Deploy > required Deploy and Validate Core screen by selecting the switch from the list and then click on the Deploy Selected button.
  • Page 45 Table 3. Configuration Errors Configuration Error Recommended Action Configuration Mismatch 1. On the Deployment and Validation Status screen, select the switch that you want to view. 2. Click the View Mismatch button. 3. Review the configuration mismatch and correct the configuration errors. 4.
  • Page 46 1. Verify that the switch has a valid IP address. 2. If required, correct the pre-deployment configuration. 3. From the DFM server, verify that the connectivity to the switch exists. 4. Verify that the switch is running the minimum required software. 5.

  • Page 47: Expanding The Core

    Expanding the Core Use the Expand Core Design screens to expand a deployed core. If you have configured the distributed core for future expansion and deployed it, you can later expand it. For information on configuring future expansion, see the Core Design –...

  • Page 49: Modifying And Viewing The Distributed Core

    Modifying and Viewing the Distributed Core This section contains the following topics: • Dashboard • Cores • Editing the Core • Deleting the Core • Viewing and Exporting Wiring Diagram • Viewing the Core DHCP Configuration File Dashboard Use the Home > Dashboard screen as shown below to view the distributed core and system health. This screen provides the following information about key performance: •...

  • Page 50: Cores

    Cores Use the Cores > Cores screen to display information about a deployed distributed core at the network, core, spine, leaf, and port level. The view is split into the tree view, tabular view, and tabbed view. NOTE: You must deploy a distributed core to view information about the core. •...

  • Page 51: Deleting The Core

    Deleting the Core When you delete a distributed core, Dell Fabric Manager manages the switches in the distributed core and removes the core related information from the system. To delete the a distributed core: Navigate to the Cores > Cores Deployment screen.

  • Page 53: Alerts

    Alerts This section contains the following topics: • Active Alerts • Alerts and Event History Active Alerts Use the Alerts > Active Alerts screen to display the active alerts in the distributed core and DFM. The top navigation pane also displays a summary of alerts for each severity across all cores. The system also displays the name of the user logged in, along with the options to Logout and access Help.

  • Page 54: Alerts And Event History

    Alerts and Event History Use this screen to view alerts and event history. • To refresh the screen, click the reload grid icon. • To export alerts and event history, click the Export button. To filter alerts and event history in the distributed core and DFM: Navigate to the Alerts >...

  • Page 55: Monitor

    Monitor This section contains the following: • Reports • Global Statistics • Data Collection Reports This section contains the following topics: • Creating a new report • Running a Report • Editing a report • Duplicating reports • Deleting a report NOTE: To run a report, you must schedule the data collection to start the task.

  • Page 56: Running A Report

    10. In the Query field, to determine what to nodes should be included in the report for a core: a) Select the core to query from the first pull-down menu. b) Select the type of switches (spine and leaves) from the 2nd pull-down menu. 11.

  • Page 57: Deleting A Report

    Deleting a Report To delete a report: Navigate to the Monitor > Reports screen. Select the report that you want to delete. Click the Delete button. The Delete Confirmation window displays. Click Yes. Global Statistics The Global Statistics screen displays the following statistics at the core level: •...

  • Page 59: Administration

    Administration Use the Administration screens to configure the following: • Administrative Settings • User Accounts • User Sessions Settings This section contains the following topics: • TFTP Settings • Syslog IP Addresses • SNMP Configuration • CLI Credentials • Data Retention •...

  • Page 60: Snmp Configuration

    In the Write Community String field, enter the write community string. For example, “private”. In the Port field, enter the SNMP port number of the switches. The port number is typically 161. In the Trap Host field, specify the IP address of the DFM Dell Fabric Manager Click OK.

  • Page 61: Data Retention

    Unlock option. • Default User – During the installation process, Dell Fabric Managerprompts you to create a Superuser. • Reset Default User (Superuser) Password – Contact technical support if you need to reset the Superuser...

  • Page 62: Adding A User

    • Password Rules – The DFM enforces special password rules for enhanced security. The password must be a minimum of 6 characters and contain one capital letter and one number. The password is masked when you enter it. • Unsuccessful Login Limit – Specifies the unsuccessful login limit for a user’s account. When the unsuccessful login limit is exceeded, the lockout duration is applied.

  • Page 63: Deleting A User

    In the First Name field, enter the user’s first name. The first name can contain any characters. Length: 1 to 50 characters. (Optional) In the Last Name field, enter the user’s last name. The last name can contain any characters. Length: 1 to 50 characters.

  • Page 64: Changing Your Password

    In the Confirm Password field, enter the user’s password. In the First Name field, enter the user’s first name. In the Last Name, enter the user’s last name. In the Sessions Allowed pull-down menu, specify the number sessions allowed for the user. In the Session Timeout pull-down menu, specify one of the following timeout values: a) 15 minutes b) 30 minutes...
  • Page 65 • Current Session To terminate DFM users’ sessions: Navigate to the Administration > User Sessions screen. Select the users that you want to log off. Click the Force Logoff button. Click OK.

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