management interface or vlan on Nexus

[suthomas1]

Hi,

I know that N5K has a dedicated management interface on it.

Our network has a management vlan ( VLAN 250 - 192.168.250.0 /24 ) dedicated for management ip assignment for all the devices.

My questions are related to this:-

1. Can i create a Vlan 250 on N5k , assign it with ip 192.168.250.11( ip for N5K ) and use this for management?

2. Or is it necessary to use the dedicated mgmt interface on N5k?

3. dedicated mgmt is on Management vrf on N5k, do i need to use this for routing upstream?

    there is no upstream devices connected to it for now, all servers are connected to this core as of now.

Appreciate all inputs!

[Reza Sharifi · Accepted solution]

Hi,

1. Can i create a Vlan 250 on N5k , assign it with ip 192.168.250.11( ip for N5K ) and use this for management?

Yes, you can create any vlan you want and call it management vlan, just like any other vlan.

2. Or is it necessary to use the dedicated mgmt interface on N5k?

It is recommend and good idea since this dedicated port is for management, but if there is nothing connected to it, then you don't have to use it.  You can use what I answered in question 1

3. dedicated mgmt is on Management vrf on N5k, do i need to use this for routing upstream?

This management port is usually used for our of band, and also for vPC-keep-alive if you have 2 5ks. If you are using it, it needs to be treat it as a host port. If you have nothing connected to it, then no need to do anything with it.  Use question 1 answer.

Also, have a look at figure-4 in this link and see how management interface is used:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/switches/ps9441/ps9670/configuration_guide_c07-543563.html

HTH