DELL MXL 10 User Manual
Stacking Dell Force10 MXL 10/40G Switches
8
Combining split 10GbE SFP+ ports into a single 40GbE QSFP+ port
The MXL 10/40GbE Switch supports splitting each 40GbE port on the base module or a 2-Port 40GbE
QSFP+ expansion module into eight 10GbE SFP+ ports using a breakout cable. However, ports must be
combined into single 40Gbe QSFP+ ports to operate in Stacking mode.
Note: By default, the 40GbE ports on a 2-Port 40GbE QSFP+ expansion module come up in 8x10GbE
(quad) mode as eight 10GbE ports. If these ports are to be used for stacking, they must be converted to
40GbE using the steps below.
QSFP+ expansion module into eight 10GbE SFP+ ports using a breakout cable. However, ports must be
combined into single 40Gbe QSFP+ ports to operate in Stacking mode.
Note: By default, the 40GbE ports on a 2-Port 40GbE QSFP+ expansion module come up in 8x10GbE
(quad) mode as eight 10GbE ports. If these ports are to be used for stacking, they must be converted to
40GbE using the steps below.
To combine four 10GbE split ports into a single 40GbE port, enter the command:
FTOS(conf)# no stack-unit <0-5> port <33, 37, 41, 45, 49, 53> portmode quad
Save and reload for the changes to take effect.
To find the stack-unit number (0-5) of the stack-unit being viewed type the command:
FTOS(conf)# do show system brief
Stack MAC : 00:1e:c9:cc:bb:21
Reload Type : normal-reload [Next boot : normal-reload]
-- Stack Info --
Unit UnitType Status ReqTyp CurTyp Version Ports
Stack MAC : 00:1e:c9:cc:bb:21
Reload Type : normal-reload [Next boot : normal-reload]
-- Stack Info --
Unit UnitType Status ReqTyp CurTyp Version Ports
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
0 Management online MXL-10/40GbE MXL-10/40GbE 8.3.16.0E0 56
1 Member not present
1 Member not present
2 Member not present
3 Member not present
4 Member not present
5 Member not present
Valid port values are 33 and 37 if there are no expansion modules installed, and 41, 45, 49, and 53 for
expansion module ports when expansion modules are installed. See
or more
information on how ports are numbered.
The last part of the command, “portmode quad” is required and typically converts the port to a split
10GbE SFP+ port. However, when preceding the command with the “no” option as in the example
above, the ports are converted to a single 40GbE.
To complete the conversion to 40GbE, save the configuration and reload the switch.
The last part of the command, “portmode quad” is required and typically converts the port to a split
10GbE SFP+ port. However, when preceding the command with the “no” option as in the example
above, the ports are converted to a single 40GbE.
To complete the conversion to 40GbE, save the configuration and reload the switch.
FTOS# copy running-config startup-config
FTOS# reload
FTOS# reload
Display the current 40GbE or 4x10GbE mode of port operation using the following command:
FTOS# show running-config
Two different lines in the configuration can identify the port mode:
1. stack-unit 0 port 41 portmode quad
This example shows port 41 is in quad mode, which means ports 41, 42, 43, and 44 are
each 10GbE. Only the first port number (33, 37, 41, 45, 49, and 53) for each QSFP+ is
each 10GbE. Only the first port number (33, 37, 41, 45, 49, and 53) for each QSFP+ is