MDS 9509

Question

Hi All,

We have two Cisco MDS9509 v2 and want to connect CX3-10 along with Two HP Proliant servers with Windows 2003 Std Edition 32 bit and a StorageTek L500 Library.

Can someone provide us with steps involved on Cisco MDS9509 directors for connection configuration, I'm reading documentation came along with directors but is a bit confused.We dont FM Installed so the only way is to use Cli for configuration or if there is a better way please suggest?

regards,
Samir

AranH1 · Accepted Answer

The documentation really is your best resource for setting up the switch. I recommend the Cisco MDS 9000 Family Fabric Manager Configuration Guide which is available on Cisco's support site.

Don't be intimidated by the 1300 pages, start with the section called Fabric Manager Server (only about 10 pages). This will get you setup with the gui for managing your switches. You don't need the FM licenses to use Fabric Manager, but you will be restricted to managing one switch at a time.

IThe next section I recommend is Initial Configuration (about 15 pages). This will help you configure the basics for the switch.

Then look through these sections:
Configuring and Managing VSANs
Configuring and Managing Zones

dynamox · Answer

so these are brand new switches ? Have you considered how you are going to design your fabric ? Will there be replication involved ?

RRR · Answer

Personally I'd install FM (it's free anyway), since some things are so much easier than on the CLI.

Personally I wouldn't use VSAN 1 for hosts, tape or storage. I would use VSAN 1 only for ISL / portchannels.

Personally I would leave all ports to AUTO setting to begin with and fix them when you see what settings the ports get when they're connected.

How many blades do you have and which ones ? I wouldn't use oversubscribed ports for storage and tape since it can perform unpredictably.

sasamir1 · Answer

Yes, these are new switches. we have the same set up with same number of devices at our DR site.

MV/S will be done at a later stage in our implementation, intitially only F&P servers are being conencted with CX3-80 and CX3-10 boxes with StorageTek L500 Tape library for backup purposes.

regards,
Samir

ConnectrixHelpe · Answer

Hello,I agree with AranH that a good place to start is the config guide and with it the MDS Cookbook to get an idea of how to proceed. Please keep in mind that there are decisions you make now that can and will affect future SAN design. It is much easier if you make all the correct decisions now instead of trying to change a production switch after the fact. If you're not exactly sure of how to plan out your switch, the best place to start is to have local EMC support sit down and discuss your current and future goals and create a plan around how to attain them via your switch configuration.Thank you.

sasamir1 · Answer

Thanks All,After some more digging I found Quick config guide to be best way to do initial configuration.regards,SamirMessage was edited by: sasamir

RRR · Answer

EMC has REALLY REALLY good courses for working with Cisco MDS. I did the course 2 years ago and I was impressed by the covered material. I really helped me doing my job and I understand that since the 5 day course didn't even cover everything, they now have devided all material into two 5 day courses !

sasamir1 · Answer

Thanks RRR for your help and suggestions.

RRR · Answer

You're welcome

Connectrix

MDS 9509

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