Catalyst 4006 SX GBIC how connect to Dell 5012?

[b.easton]

I need to connect my Core 4006 switch to a Dell 5012 in an intermediate wiring closet via SX 1000 fiber GBIC'S.

Dell sold me a Nortel GBIC with their switch is that a problem (the GBIC in the Catalsyt 4006 is Cisco WS-G5484)?

Assuming that it is not, what commands do I need to enter on the Catalyst 4006 to bring the GBIC link online?

[konigl]

Optically, Cisco's SX GBIC should have no problem talking to Nortel SX GBIC, or anybody else's for that matter. 1000BASE-SX is a standard.

Internally, if the two switches don't automatically agree to speak to each other with the same duplex setting, you may have to turn off autonegotiation on the Cisco side, and lock it to full duplex. (I've had to do that to connect to 3Com switches.)

Beyond that, is there going to be an exchange of 802.1Q VLAN tags across the link, or will everything on the Dell 5012 be part of one VLAN? This will determine whether you use "switchport mode trunk" or "switchport mode access" commands.

I assume there is not going to be a redundant link between the two; otherwise, we'll also need bring Spanning Tree into the discussion.

Need to know more information before supplying real detailed commands, but these are the major points to be considered.

Hope this helps.

[b.easton]

I turned off flow control on the Dell side and set speed at 1GB Full Duplex.

I also turned flow control off on the Cisco Switch and the speed is set to 1GB Full Duplex.

VLAN is 1 on both Cisco and Dell Switches. I dont have any trunking set up.

The Dell side of the link looks fine it shows as being in "forwarding state".

The Cisco however sees the GBIC, but reports it as "not connected"

If there is any command output that would be helpful in diagnosing this I would be happy to post it, just let me know.

Thanks,

Brent

[konigl]

Stupid cable questions first:

Double-check that the SC connector is firmly snapped into the RX connection on the Cisco SX GBIC. Are you seeing a link LED on the GBIC's port? If yes, when you disconnect from the RX port, does the link go out? On the Dell, do you have a link LED? When you disconnect the Dell's RX connection, does the link LED go out?

If no link LED at all at either end, check that all connections between the Dell and the Cisco are securely fastened.

If link LED is always on regardless of RX connection in/out, try swapping the TX and RX connectors at one end, so that what was plugged into the TX spot goes into RX now, and vice versa. Then test for connectivity again across the link.

Not sure if you have a bad strand or connector on a patch, or maybe a bad SX or LX GBIC? Try this quick-and-dirty "loopback" test: plug one end of patch cable in to TX port of GBIC, other end of same strand into the RX port. Should get a link. If you do, quickly disconnect it! (CAUTION: never do this with a ZX GBIC, unless you have at least a 10dB in-line attenuator on the RX port. Otherwise, you risk damaging the RX optics.)

Under CatOS, run:

"show conf 1" (or whatever slot the SX GBIC's in); and

"show port 1/1" (or whatever slot/port we're talking about);

"sh spantree 1/1" (or whatever slot/port).

This will show how the slot's configured, how the port's running, and what's going on with Spanning Tree on this port.

[b.easton]

Thank you for your help! The problem was that port Auto Negotitation needed to be disabled on the Catalyst. As soon as I did that the link came up.

Brent

[#6]

What command did you use on the port? I'm trying my best to get my Dell and Cisco switches to talk via two SX GBICs. DELL to DELL works, CISCO to CISCO works, but not DELL to CISCO!!!

HELP!

Thanks,

Randy

[b.easton]

Randy,

This is the command I issued on my Catalyst 4000 to bring the fiber link online. Hope this helps.

Cat (Enable)set port negotiation disable

Brent