Cisco SGE2000 Software Configuration Guide - Page 12

Information About the Cisco Nexus 2000 Series Fabric Extender Overview Information About the Cisco Nexus 2000 Series Fabric Extender The Cisco Nexus 2000 Series Fabric Extender, also known as FEX, is a highly scalable and flexible server networking solution that works with Cisco Nexus Series devices to provide high-density, low-cost connectivity for server aggregation. Scaling across 1-Gigabit Ethernet, 10-Gigabit Ethernet, unified fabric, rack, and blade server environments, the Fabric Extender is designed to simplify data center architecture and operations. The Fabric Extender integrates with its parent switch, a Cisco Nexus Series device, to allow automatic provisioning and configuration taken from the settings on the parent device. This integration allows large numbers of servers and hosts to be supported using the same feature set as the parent device, including security and quality-of-service (QoS) configuration parameters, with a single management domain. The Fabric Extender and its parent switch enable a large multipath, loop-free, active-active data center topology without the use of Spanning Tree Protocol (STP). The Cisco Nexus 2000 Series Fabric Extender forwards all traffic to its parent Cisco Nexus Series device over 10-Gigabit Ethernet fabric uplinks, which allows all traffic to be inspected by policies established on the Cisco Nexus Series device. Note You must connect the Fabric Extender to its parent Cisco Nexus 7000 Series device equipped with a 32-port, 10-Gigabit M1 module (N7K-M132XP-12), a 32-port 10-Gigabit M1-XL module (N7K-M132XP-12L), an M2 module, or an F2 module. No software is included with the Fabric Extender. Software is automatically downloaded and upgraded from its parent device. Fabric Extender Terminology Some terms used in this document are as follows: • Fabric interface-A 10-Gigabit Ethernet uplink port designated for connection from the Fabric Extender to its parent switch. A fabric interface cannot be used for any other purpose. It must be directly connected to the parent switch. Note A fabric interface includes the corresponding interface on the parent switch. This interface is enabled when you enter the switchport mode fex-fabric command. • Port channel fabric interface-A port channel uplink connection from the Fabric Extender to its parent switch. This connection consists of fabric interfaces bundled into a single logical channel. • Host interface-An Ethernet host interface for connection to a server or host system. Note Do not connect a bridge or switch to a host interface. These interfaces are designed to provide end host or server connectivity. • Port channel host interface-A port channel host interface for connection to a server or host system. Cisco Nexus 2000 Series NX-OS Fabric Extender Software Configuration Guide 2 OL-25816-02