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Brocade ICX Series (cheap & powerful 10gbE/40gbE switching)

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tommybackeast

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Jun 10, 2018
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mb300sd

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Aug 1, 2016
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I know in Windows with SMB multilink, you can max out dual 10Gbe connections without LACP. Depends what you're putting on the ESXi, you could LACP them, or assign 2 virtual adapters to each VM. I have a dual port 10G card in a thunderbolt enclosure I max out commonly on my laptop. Moving to 40Gb now and we'll see how well the thunderbolt link keeps up. I know for a fact that it won't be able to utilize 80G :(

Definitely look into SR-IOV.

I really want to play with some remote RAM caching my server since half of the 512G sits unused most of the time.
 

tommybackeast

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Jun 10, 2018
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PS the mellanox Connectx3 series is much cheaper and has better compatibility (in regards to optics/transceivers etc) and is much cheaper versus the intels, if you're interested: Mellanox MCX311A-XCAT CX311A ConnectX-3 Network 10GbE SFP+ Both Low+Full Profile | eBay


dual port version: CX312A MELLANOX CONNECTX-3 DUAL PORT GIGABIT ETHERNET CARD MCX312A-XCBT | eBay
I remain confused in how Mellanox CX-2 differs from CX-3

(My use: Dell Tower Server needs a 10GB SFP+ PCEi card to connect to Brocade 6450's 10GB port)
 

tommybackeast

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Jun 10, 2018
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just imagine an intel nic, but better. kind of like that

Also, with the $75+ price of the 10gbE only cards, it's cheaper to spend $35 on the 40gbE versions like this: HP 649281-B21 IB FDR/EN 10/40Gb 2P 544QSFP Adapter 656089-001 | eBay

or short bracket version: HP 649281-B21 Infiniband 10/40GB Dual Port Adapter Low Profile Bracket | eBay

then a couple QSFP+ to SFP+ adapters so you can use SFP+ in them GENUINE 655902-001 655874-B21 HP MELLANOX QSFP/SFP ADAPTER 886111656585 | eBay

you'll still come in under or at the $75 price of the 10gbE only cards, but now you have cards already in your systems that are ready to do 40gbE if you ever upgrade your switches/network
The HP 649281-B21 IB FDR/EN 10/40Gb 2P 544QSFP Adapter 656089-001 | eBay you reference above, if using it for 10gb SFP+ with the adapter you show ---confirm that HP card requires flashing ? (to use with the QSFP+ to SFP+ adapters) / thanks
 

mb300sd

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Gerald Laurence

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May 6, 2017
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I bought three myself. Seller accepted $28 @ qty = 3.

These three plus the qsfp adapters plus a 6450 updated via fohdeesha guide will make a nice 10g network between my file server, esxi machine, workstation and the rest of my network at home.
 

billc.cn

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Oct 6, 2017
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I asked my question poorly: If there is a single Cat6 going from the Brocade 6450's Port#10 and going to an 8port Switch at the TV Media Center; and my desire is to put all the TV related devices (TV, Stereo, Tivo, Apple TV) onto its own VLAN.

Can I then take Brocade 6450's port 10 and VLAN that one port?
Yes, you can configure zero, one or any number of VLAN you want on any switch port (up to some hardware limit of course).
 

MikeWebb

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Jan 28, 2018
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Alright, finally get home 6 weeks after ordering some network gear and I don't have a console cable for my 6610. The other switches and routers use usb type console cables but the Brocade needs a usb/DB9 to rj45 type. I can't believe I didn't order one. What console (and data cables for that matter) cables or you guys using?
 

mb300sd

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Aug 1, 2016
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Alright, finally get home 6 weeks after ordering some network gear and I don't have a console cable for my 6610. The other switches and routers use usb type console cables but the Brocade needs a usb/DB9 to rj45 type. I can't believe I didn't order one. What console (and data cables for that matter) cables or you guys using?
I'm using one of these.

https://smile.amazon.com/Console-Es...534826645&sr=8-3&keywords=cisco+console+cable

The console port is on the back, and that's the same cable I use for every other switch I've ever seen.
 
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fohdeesha

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yeah it's just the standard cisco rj45 serial pinout, any rj45 serial cable out there will work. for the 6610 the serial port is on the front for the 24 port models, on the rear for the 48 port models. on the 6450 it's on the front regardless
 

AlphaG

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nezach

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What are you guys paying for icx6450-24p? Is $215 shipped a good price or is it possible to get it at ~$150 mark?
 

tommybackeast

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Jun 10, 2018
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What are you guys paying for icx6450-24p? Is $215 shipped a good price or is it possible to get it at ~$150 mark?
I paid about 175 for my mint condition 6450-24p including shipping (to USA). I forget what seller was asking, maybe 300 but we went back and forth a bit on best-offer. I think I started with 150

This was about 2? months ago

Maybe I could have gotten for less, but I was/am very happy (after fohdeesha's outstanding level of help).
 

sean

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Sep 26, 2013
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I paid $160 for a well used 6450-48P, shipping included. Seller asked for $200 and accepted my first offer. The insides look fine but there is plenty of wear on the outside and one of the SFP+ ports looks a bit dinged.
 

arglebargle

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Jul 15, 2018
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I paid $135 for an excellent condition 6450-24 and $120 for a 6450-24p with one gakked up bent and scraped rack ear and some scraping on the front face sticker. This was about a month ago before STH really jumped on these, it took a couple weeks of waiting and low-ball offering/bidding. I tried a whole bunch of $70+shipping offers but no one took the bait, I think I was about two weeks too late for that to work.

There were loads of 6450s for <$100 back in June/early July, it looks like the sellers upped their ask floor to $125 around the middle of July and the majority of switches are selling for $150-$200 now. STH in full effect yo, just scroll backward through the sold listings and you'll see it:

icx6450 | eBay