Nexus 9372PX and FEX version mismatch

[jzetterman]

I have two Nexus 9372PX's and just purchased two FEX C2348TQ's. When I attempt to configure a Nexus for a FEX I'm receiving the following output from the show fex detail command:

ANC-NEXUS-9372-2(config-if-range)# sh fex 102 detail
FEX: 102 Description: FEX0102 state: Image Download
 FEX version: 7.1(1)N1(1) [Switch version: 7.0(3)I2(2a)]
 FEX Interim version: 7.1(1)N1(0.504)
 Switch Interim version: 7.0(3)I2(2a)
 Module Sw Gen: 21 [Switch Sw Gen: 21]
 pinning-mode: static Max-links: 1
 Fabric port for control traffic: Eth1/51
 Fabric interface state:
 Po11 - Interface Up. State: Active
 Eth1/51 - Interface Up. State: Active
 Eth1/52 - Interface Up. State: Active
 Fex Port State Fabric Port
Logs:
05/20/2016 16:16:32.541760: Module register received
05/20/2016 16:16:32.542323: Image Version Mismatch
05/20/2016 16:16:32.543055: Registration response sent
05/20/2016 16:16:32.543265: Requesting satellite to download image
05/20/2016 16:19:31.806035: Deleting route to FEX
05/20/2016 16:19:31.810012: Module disconnected
05/20/2016 16:19:31.810836: Module Offline
05/20/2016 16:19:32.335894: Deleting route to FEX
05/20/2016 16:19:32.338892: Module disconnected
05/20/2016 16:19:32.340203: Offlining Module
05/20/2016 16:22:59.647397: Module register received
05/20/2016 16:22:59.647930: Image Version Mismatch
05/20/2016 16:22:59.648665: Registration response sent
05/20/2016 16:22:59.648855: Requesting satellite to download image

Now, I realize that I probably need to upgrade the parent Nexus to get it to work, however the latest stable version of NX-OS is 7.0(3)I2(2d). As far as I can tell there isn't a 7.1 version of NX-OS available for my Nexus switches. I'm not sure what I should do at this point other than open a ticket with Cisco. Anyone have any ideas?

FWIW, here is my configuration for these FEX switches:

fex 102
 pinning max-links 1
 description "FEX0102"
!
interface port-channel11
 description "N2K-C2348TQ-10GE FEX X-Connect"
 switchport mode fex-fabric
 fex associate 102
! 
interface Ethernet1/51
 description "N2K-C2348TQ-10GE FEX X-Connect"
 switchport mode fex-fabric
 fex associate 102
 channel-group 11
!
interface Ethernet1/52
 description "N2K-C2348TQ-10GE FEX X-Connect"
 switchport mode fex-fabric
 fex associate 102
 channel-group 11

[Reza Sharifi]

Not every Nexus platform runs the same version.  This is the latest for this platform. 

DescriptionCisco Nexus 9000/3000 Standalone Switch

Release7.0(3)I4(1)

Release Date16/May/2016

File Namenxos.7.0.3.I4.1.bin

Or you can try the other version you posted here and test it.

HTH

[jzetterman]

I was actually able to determine that the FEX can't be connected to a 40GB QSFP ALE port. Seeing as my Nexus doesn't have any non-ALE 40GB ports we're currently evaluating other options.

[PAUL MORALES]

Were you able to get this config to work.  I find myself in the same situation and according to my Cisco partner this is a supported config. I have a TAC case opened to see if they can help to resolve this, but I was still curious what your final outcome was.  Thanks.

[jzetterman]

I haven't been able to get it to work with the Nexus 9372PX. The issue is that all of the 40GB ports are on ALE ASIC's which are not compatible with FEX switches. To get around this we've decided to purchase a pair of Nexus 9332PQ's, which have 40GB ports on the NFE ASIC's. 

I think there is some confusion out there about these new 10G/BASE-T FEX switches, even among Cisco resellers. After a bit of research my reseller has conceded that they made a mistake when recommending this FEX to me with my current Nexus switches. They offered to allow me to return them or go for the 9332, which worked out for me as I was going to need additional 10G/SFP+ capacity soon anyway.