nexus 7000 noob

[glen.grant]

   We have gotten our first Nexus 7000's in and we are getting ready to try and configure this thing.  I power up the 7000 and all modules show ok . When I try to do a show int status  I see no ports other than the mgt0 interface .  Any ideas on why I would not see any ports ?  Tried allocating ports to the vdc , doesn't seem to matter . Mods show green .   Also not seeing very many options under the "feature" command , this could be a license issue I don't know. We need layer 3 functionality with dynamic routing support.  I didn't order the box. It says it has the "lan enterprise services license. We have 2 of these and both show the same issues described above. Any input appreciated.

[glen.grant]

  I may not be grasping the concept of vdc correctly.  If I have to create another vdc for the F2 cards , how does it talk to the othe vdc with the other modules in it ? It won't let me create another vdc anyway says vdc create failed: license restrictions preclude further vdc creation .  Just give me a 6500 

[Reza Sharifi]

Just give me a 6500

he he he...

That what I said in the beginning, but once you get it used to it you are going to like it.

Your are understanding it correctly, VDCs can not talk to each other unless you physically connect them together. It is like having 2 physically separate switches.  It order to get them to talk to each other, you have to cable them together. 

As Leo said the older F2 module (none E) can not be in the same VDC with M1 or M2 cards. 

I think, the reason you can't put the F2 card with M1 or M2 cards in the same VDC is because F2 cards are mainly used for storage, and so the storage VDC doesn't need to talk to data VDC.

Anyway, you got to resolve the license issue before adding anymore VDCs.

From F2 data sheet:

With the Cisco Nexus 7000 F-Series module, FCoE can be deployed in director-class modular platforms for the access and core of converged networks. In addition to FCoE host and target support, the module provides VE-port support, allowing creating of FCoE Inter-Switch Links (ISLs) and enabling scalable, multi-hop FCoE topologies. The FCoE traffic in a Cisco Nexus 7000 Series Switch can be segmented using a dedicated storage virtual device context (VDC), providing isolation within the shared physical infrastructure.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/switches/ps9441/ps9402/data_sheet_c78-685394.html

[Leo Laohoo]

I think, the reason you can't put the F2 card with M1 or M2 cards in the same VDC is because F2 cards are mainly used for storage, and so the storage VDC doesn't need to talk to data VDC.

I disagree, Reza.  This is a design flaw/bug.

[glen.grant]

  I agree this really isn't good , these 2 cards need to be able to talk to each other . How would you tie vdc's together with   a 10/100/1000 card and the F2 card with sfp's ??? This is going to cause some real heartburn when they find this out. Luckily I'm not the person who ordered this stuff.  Also why won't the 7000 allow me to create any more vdc's.  I have the default and one other one ,thought you could create up to 4 in a 7000 .

[Leo Laohoo]

Glen,

Ask if you can get your F2 card replaced with the F2e card.

[Reza Sharifi]

why won't the 7000 allow me to create any more vdc's.  I have the  default and one other one ,thought you could create up to 4 in a 7000

You can, but you need license:

VDC Licenses

The VDC licenses enable the use of the following functions in Cisco NX-OS:

• 4 VDCs + 1 Administrator VDC²: Four VDC licenses for Cisco Nexus 7000 Series Supervisor 1 and 2 Modules

• +4 VDCs: Increments VDC licenses by four; allows Cisco Nexus 7000 Series Supervisor 2 Enhanced to scale up to eight VDCs

Have a look at table-6

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/iosswrel/ps9494/ps9372/data_sheet_c78-437306.html

HTH

[glen.grant]

  So basically if you didn't order the license you get the default plus one vdc , correct ?   Not good if the F2 card needs its own .  Guess we will have try and get the F2 replaced with a f2E  like Leo said.  Appreciate all the posts from everyone ...

[Reza Sharifi]

That is correct. You would need license to get the rest of the VDCs you need.

Good Luck Glen.

[Leo Laohoo]

Reza, PM sent.