Powerconnect 6248 - 10Gbase-T Connection

Question

Hi all,

I have recently acquired a Dell Powerconnect 6248 and was surprised to see a 10Gbase-T module installed. It is located in bay 2. I have had trouble connecting it to any other devices, dell r710 (gigabit nics), confirmed as the link doesn't light up. I have been successful in generating a link when the cable is connected to the other port on the module. I have used a variety of cables including cat 6 and 5e however the above scenario is repeated for each and every cable.

I feel a bit crazy by now but is the module only able to stack switches and not connect servers? (Apologies for my ignorance if so) Also is there a way to check whether the module is operational via serial or on the via the http management utility?

Cheers, Dave

DELL-Josh Cr · Answer

Hi, What does show interfaces detail for that interface show? It should work for more than stacking, but you may need to connect it to a 10Gb nic.

DonGatts · Answer

Hi Josh,

Thank you for the reply! I have connected the two 10Gbase-t connections on the module so the link is online and ran the "#show interfaces configuration" command which generated the following output:

console#show interfaces configuration

Port Type Duplex Speed Neg Admin

State

----- ------------------------------ ------ ------- ---- -----

1/g1 Gigabit - Level Full 1000 Auto Up

1/g2 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g3 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g4 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g5 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g6 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g7 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g8 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g9 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g10 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g11 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g12 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g13 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g14 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g15 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g16 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g17 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g18 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g19 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

--More-- or (q)uit

1/g20 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g21 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g22 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g23 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g24 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g25 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g26 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g27 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g28 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g29 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g30 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g31 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g32 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g33 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g34 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g35 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g36 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g37 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g38 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g39 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g40 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g41 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g42 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

--More-- or (q)uit

1/g43 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g44 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g45 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g46 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g47 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/g48 Gigabit - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/xg1 10G - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/xg2 10G - Level N/A Unknown Auto Up

1/xg3 10G - Level Full 10000 Auto Up

1/xg4 10G - Level Full 10000 Auto Up

I noticed that it does recognize the connection for xg3 and xg4 (just found out to be my 10Gbase-t module) however does this suggest that this module is not backwards compatible with a gigabit nic? My Transceiver firmware revision is F7101-01.

Cheers,
Dave

DELL-Josh Cr · Answer

Try using the speed command to manually set it to 1000.

DonGatts · Answer

I used the web server to access the port configuration and I can edit any of the gigabit ports to change their speed however the 10Gbase-t modules (xg3 and xg4) options are greyed out for the exception of the admin status and maximum frame size. Are there any other ways around this? Purpose is to just check that the port works just before I purchase a 10Gbe NIC.

Cheers,
Dave

DELL-Josh Cr · Answer

You could try it in the CLI.

benoitlair · Answer

What is the model for the expansion card of the dual 10G base T ports ? Is it possible to do some 10g with any firmware of powerconnect 6248 ?

DELL-Charles R · Answer

Hello,

If we understand the question correctly, the part number for DELL POWERCONNECT 10GBASE-T MODULE should be X901C.

The Dell PowerConnect X901C is a two port 10 Gigabit Ethernet / RJ-45 module for

Dell PowerConnect 6224 and 6248 network switches. The X901C plugs into the rear

of the Dell 6224 / 6248 switch and is ideal for uplinking the switch for high speed data transfer.

The X901C installs in the second modular bay in the rear of the switch.

DELL X901C FEATURES:

Two Ports

10Gbase-T (10 Gigabit per second)

Ethernet (RJ-45) Interface

Compatibility: Dell PowerConnect 6224 and 6248

Installs in Module Bay 2

We do not see any restrictions as far as versions that support this module.

It is best to use the latest version for PC 6248 which is 3.3.17.1 with release Nov 2017

(I will note this product is End of Life).

Networking General

Powerconnect 6248 - 10Gbase-T Connection

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