UCS Fabric Interconnect provides connectivity for Ethernet and storage data traffic. UCS Fabric Interconnect also runs the Unified Computing System Management (UCSM) software. UCS Fabric Interconnect hardware is based on the Nexus series of switches and runs NX-OS; however, Fabric Interconnect has some features that are different from a standard Nexus Ethernet switch. In this chapter, we'll focus on Fabric Interconnect Ethernet connectivity to the servers and upstream switches.
In this chapter, we'll discuss the following topics:
Understanding Fabric Interconnect switching modes
Introduction to Fabric Interconnect port types
Configuring northbound connectivity to upstream switches
Configuring southbound connectivity to IOMs
Configuring the last piece of the puzzle—vNICs
We'll configure the Fabric Interconnect's downstream (southbound) connectivity to IOMs/Fabric Extenders (FEXs) in the blade chassis and upstream (northbound) connectivity to the physical switches...