Layer 2/3 Switch and naive question from a beginner...

[kyle simmer]

I recently picked up a Cisco Nexus 3172TQ 10GbE/40Gb switch from Amazon for a decent price. I am having issues configuring it. I would like to use my router for the routing and my switch solely for the speed. I am having trouble getting the switch to be recognized on my network. I do not know how to assign the switch an IP address, or any other alternative such as a VLAN. I followed the instructions for creating a VLAN and giving it an IP address, but when I use the command "interface vlan 10" I receive the following error:

home-switch(config)# interface vlan 10
                                                 ^
Invalid interface format at '^' marker.

Digging into the issue, I realized that this switch doesn't have an option under "interface" for a vlan.  It only has the following options:

home(config)# interface
breakout    ethernet    loopback    mgmt    port-channel

I am using nxos 7.0.3.I3.1.  When going through the setup, I have the option for Layer 2 or Layer 3. I am not opposed to using either.  A factory reset only takes minutes.

Please help!!! I appreciate any assistance.  I am sure it is a quick fix. Attached is the last factory reset I did, with the options I chose.

[Kasun Bandara]

@kyle simmer hi, nexus switches are bit different than IOS/IOSXE devices. in nexus switches you need to enable features before configuring. for ex. to use VLAN interfaces, use switch(config)# feature interface-vlan  to enable the feature. find more details here.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/nexus3000/sw/interfaces/503_U3_1/b_Cisco_n3k_Interfaces_Configuration_Guide_503_u3_1/b_Cisco_n3k_Interfaces_Configuration_Guide_chapter_01.html#concept_0D53E31CA79D4D3CA4281FF86F904E1A

[kyle simmer]

Success... well almost. It accepted all commands that you had suggested. However, I still cannot ping the switch. In performing a show ip interface brief, I see the following:

Home(config)# show ip interface brief
IP Interface Status for VRF "default"(1)
Interface       IP Address         Interface Status
Vlan1           192.168.1.3       protocol-down/link-down/admin-down

However, when I typed show interface ethernet 1/1, it comes back with:

Ethernet1/1 is up
admin state is up, Dedicated Interface
Hardware: 100/1000/10000 Ethernet, address: 00c8.8b38.1308 (bia 00c8.8b38.1308

As you stated above, you have to enable features in a Nexus switch. I am assuming that Vlan1 (in this case) needs the protocol-down/link-down/admin-down to be enabled as well in order for this switch to allow my router to communicate properly. Can you help me with the commands to enable these features? Again, thank you for this. I guess I got myself in a little over my head with this switch.

[kyle simmer]

You and MHM Cisco World definitely pointed me in the right direction. I performed the following commands successfully:

Home# configure terminal
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
Home(config)# feature interface-vlan
Home(config)# interface vlan 1
Home(config-if)# ip add 192.168.1.4 255.255.255.0
Home(config-if)# show interface brief

However, the switch is giving me the following error:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interface      Secondary VLAN(Type)        Status         Reason
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vlan1           --                                        down          Administratively down

That last line must be the crucial line that is not reporting the way that it needs to be. How do we change it to up?

I appreciate your time.

Add tags

[MHM Cisco World]

you need 
feature inter-vlan 
you need also to add VLAN to databse by 
vlan x 
then you can add 
interface vlan x 

Thanks A Lot
MHM

[MHM Cisco World]

do you add VLAN to database ?
do you assign port to this VLAN ?
NSK is different than other SW, you need to add VLAN and assign port to VLAN to make it SVI UP/UP 

[kyle simmer]

I ended up using the factory default command and starting over. From there, I opted to use the LAYER 2 functions and not LAYER 3 when going through the switch's basic configuration.

I used the default VLAN... VLAN 1.

All 54 ports are assigned to VLAN 1

 

[MHM Cisco World]

Only do 

Vlan 1

Then 

Feature inter vlan 

Then 

Interface vlan  1

Ip add x.x.x.x

Then check show interface breif 

It must be up/up

[kyle simmer · Accepted solution]

No luck.  I realize that this must be frustrating to you, but it is still not working. I followed your instructions.  Listed below is CLI results:

Home# configure terminal
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
Home(config)# feature interface-vlan
Home(config)# interface vlan 1
Home(config-if)# ip add 192.168.1.4 255.255.255.0
Home(config-if)# show interface brief

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Port VRF Status IP Address Speed MTU
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
mgmt0 -- down 192.168.1.254 -- 1500

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ethernet VLAN Type Mode Status Reason Speed Por
t
Interface Ch
#
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eth1/1 1 eth access up none 10G(D) --
Eth1/2 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/3 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/4 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/5 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/6 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/7 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/8 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/9 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/10 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/11 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/12 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/13 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/14 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/15 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/16 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/17 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/18 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/19 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/20 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/21 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/22 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/23 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/24 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/25 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/26 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/27 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/28 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/29 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/30 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/31 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/32 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/33 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/34 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/35 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/36 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/37 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/38 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/39 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/40 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/41 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/42 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/43 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/44 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/45 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/46 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/47 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/48 1 eth access down Link not connected auto(D) --
Eth1/49 1 eth access down Link not connected 40G(D) --
Eth1/50 1 eth access down Link not connected 40G(D) --
Eth1/51 1 eth access down Link not connected 40G(D) --
Eth1/52 1 eth access down Link not connected 40G(D) --
Eth1/53 1 eth access down XCVR not inserted 40G(D) --
Eth1/54 1 eth access down XCVR not inserted 40G(D) --

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interface      Secondary VLAN(Type)        Status         Reason
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vlan1           --                                        down          Administratively down

That last line must be the crucial line that is not reporting the way that it needs to be. How do we change it to up?

[MHM Cisco World · Accepted solution]

Interface vlan 1 

No shut 

It must be now up/up

[kyle simmer]

That did it!!  Thank you guys so much.  I really appreciate it. When I get home from work tonight, I will start moving everything from my old switch to my new. I don't anticipate any more issues, but if I do I know who to ask. Thank you again.

[MHM Cisco World]

You are so welcome 

MHM

[Joseph W. Doherty]

"I would like to use my router for the routing and my switch solely for the speed."

BTW, if switch is L3, generally it should be used for routing, where possible (also for "speed").

If you're wondering, why use a router if you have a L3 switch, we still use routers for features they provide not found on a L3 switch.