Connectrix Brocade: Facing error Command error issue
Summary: Connectrix: Brocade: Facing error "Command error issue "Cannot configure IP address on port ge0 while in Optical GE mode" on FCIP switches. This issue is seen when we try to configure IP address on Gig Ethernet ports of FCIP-based switch models. ...
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Symptoms
Error: Cannot configure IP address on port ge0 while in Optical GE mode.
Cause
Configuring GE Mode on the Brocade 7800 Switches:
The Brocade 7800 Extension Switch is configured with eight GE ports: two extensions RJ45 copper GbE ports and six optical ports that support SFP+ transceivers.
GE0 and GE1 are always in copper mode and GE2 through GE7 are always in optical mode by default.
However, only six are usable at a time as GE0 through GE1 and GE2 through GE3 are mutually exclusive.
Customizable per customer requirement.
The Brocade 7800 Extension Switch is configured with eight GE ports: two extensions RJ45 copper GbE ports and six optical ports that support SFP+ transceivers.
GE0 and GE1 are always in copper mode and GE2 through GE7 are always in optical mode by default.
However, only six are usable at a time as GE0 through GE1 and GE2 through GE3 are mutually exclusive.
Customizable per customer requirement.
Resolution
Workaround
Step 1: Use the below command to understand the GE port mode in use.
Step 2: The Ethernet interfaces can be enabled in copper or optical mode using the extncfg command as follows: •
For copper mode, use the following command.
For optical mode, enter
We could change the modes either way according to the requirement.
Step 3: Verify the Mode of the GE port using below command to verify the reflected change.
Step 4: Continue to configure the IP address of Gig ports now as the required mode is selected.
Step 1: Use the below command to understand the GE port mode in use.
extncfg –show
Step 2: The Ethernet interfaces can be enabled in copper or optical mode using the extncfg command as follows: •
For copper mode, use the following command.
#extncfg --ge-mode copper
NOTE: In this mode, GE0 and GE1 are enabled by default and usable but ports GE2 and GE3 are disabled by default.
For optical mode, enter
extncfg --ge-mode optical
NOTE: In this mode, GE0 and GE1 are disabled by default whereas GE2 and GE3 are enabled.
We could change the modes either way according to the requirement.
Step 3: Verify the Mode of the GE port using below command to verify the reflected change.
extncfg –show
Step 4: Continue to configure the IP address of Gig ports now as the required mode is selected.
Affected Products
Connectrix MP-7800B, Connectrix MP 7810B, Connectrix MP 7840BProducts
Connectrix MP-7810B, Connectrix MP-7850BArticle Properties
Article Number: 000223122
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 03 Jun 2025
Version: 2
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