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

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Lone Wolf

Member
Apr 3, 2022
47
9
8
Hey all!

I've ordered two Mellanox MCX311A-XCAT cards on ebay. They are coming for China, so I'll be practicing that thing called Patience. In the meantime, I need to get some DAC cables. I'm new to DACs so i wanted to make sure I was getting the right ones.

I was thinking of ordering from fs.com. It looks like I can specify which manufacturer I want the ends to be. It also looks like it needs to be the same on both ends. I've read all throughout this thread that my 6450-48P won't care who the connector is set for. Does the Mellanox card care? I can order ends set for Brocade or set for Mellanox. Is either preferred?

I also want to connect my switch to my Ubiquiti Dream Machine Pro with a DAC. Should I choose the DAC cable configured for Ubiquiti ends?

Thanks!
 

eduncan911

The New James Dean
Jul 27, 2015
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506
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sdyoung

New Member
Apr 10, 2022
12
5
3
Been hitting a bit of a wall here setting up my 6450. Switch didn't recognize command 'factory' so did the following:

Code:
enable
erase startup-config
reload
Can't seem to get the switch to see my TFTP server, and vice versa. Windows Firewall is off. Switch isn't able to ping server or any other device on network and server isn't able to ping switch, however, when the switch boots, I am able to access a login page for the webgui using the switch's IP.

Code:
ICX64XX-boot>> printenv
baudrate=9600
ipaddr=192.168.1.150
serverip=192.168.1.123
netmask=255.255.255.0
uboot=kxz10105.bin
image_name=ICX64R08030u.bin
ver=07.4.00T310 (Mar  1 2012 - 11:28:23)
ICX64XX-boot>> ping 192.168.1.123
ethPortNo = 0
Link Status Changed, Re-Negotiation Start
Using egiga0 device
ping failed; host 192.168.1.123 is not alive
ICX64XX-boot>> update_primary
ethPortNo = 0
Link Status Changed, Re-Negotiation Start
Using egiga0 device
TFTP from server 192.168.1.123; our IP address is 192.168.1.150
Download Filename 'ICX64R08030u.bin'.
Load address: 0x3000000
Download to address: 0x3000000
Loading: %T %
Code from boot sequence

Code:
ICX64XX-boot>> boot
Booting image from Primary
## Booting image at 00007fc0 ...
   Created:      2012-03-02  20:38:52 UTC
   Data Size:    10360268 Bytes =  9.9 MB
   Load Address: 00008000
   Entry Point:  00008000
   Verifying Checksum ... OK
OK

Starting kernel in BE mode ...
Uncompressing Image........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ done, booting the kernel.
Config partition mounted.
Starting the FastIron.
OS>Starting Main Task .INFO: startup config data is not available, try to read from backup
INFO: startup config data in the backup area is not available
CPSS DxCh Version: cpss3.4p1 release
        mem_size = 6400 mem_size = 6400Pre Parsing Config Data ...
INFO: empty config data in the primary area, try to read from backup
INFO: empty config data in the backup area also

Parsing Config Data ...
INFO: empty config data in the primary area, try to read from backup
INFO: empty config data in the backup area also

  Copyright (c) 1996-2012 Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
    UNIT 1: compiled on Mar  2 2012 at 12:38:17 labeled as ICX64S07400
                (10360844 bytes) from Primary ICX64S07400.bin
        SW: Version 07.4.00T311
  Boot-Monitor Image size = 512, Version:07.4.00T310 (kxz10105)
  HW: Stackable ICX6450-48-HPOE
==========================================================================
UNIT 1: SL 1: ICX6450-48p POE 48-port Management Module
         Serial  #: BZT2527H0BM
         License: BASE_SOFT_PACKAGE   (LID: dbvHKHMjFdo)
         P-ENGINE  0: type DEF0, rev 01
         P-ENGINE  1: type DEF0, rev 01
==========================================================================
UNIT 1: SL 2: ICX6450-SFP-Plus 4port 40G Module
==========================================================================
  800 MHz ARM processor ARMv5TE, 400 MHz bus
65536 KB flash memory
  512 MB DRAM
STACKID 1  system uptime is 14 seconds
The system : started=cold start

....ICX6450-48P Switch>
Stack unit 1 PS 1, Internal Power supply detected and up.
PoE: Stack unit 1 Power supply 1 with 740000 mwatts capacity is up
PoE Info: Adding new 54V capacity of 740000 mW, total capacity is 740000, total free capacity is 740000
PoE Info: PoE module detected. Initializing....
PoE Info: PoE module 1 of Unit 1 initialization is done.
 

Vesalius

Active Member
Nov 25, 2019
252
190
43
Been hitting a bit of a wall here setting up my 6450. Switch didn't recognize command 'factory' so did the following:

Code:
enable
erase startup-config
reload
Can't seem to get the switch to see my TFTP server, and vice versa. Windows Firewall is off. Switch isn't able to ping server or any other device on network and server isn't able to ping switch, however, when the switch boots, I am able to access a login page for the webgui using the switch's IP.

Code:
ICX64XX-boot>> printenv
baudrate=9600
ipaddr=192.168.1.150
serverip=192.168.1.123
netmask=255.255.255.0
uboot=kxz10105.bin
image_name=ICX64R08030u.bin
ver=07.4.00T310 (Mar  1 2012 - 11:28:23)
ICX64XX-boot>> ping 192.168.1.123
ethPortNo = 0
Link Status Changed, Re-Negotiation Start
Using egiga0 device
ping failed; host 192.168.1.123 is not alive
ICX64XX-boot>> update_primary
ethPortNo = 0
Link Status Changed, Re-Negotiation Start
Using egiga0 device
TFTP from server 192.168.1.123; our IP address is 192.168.1.150
Download Filename 'ICX64R08030u.bin'.
Load address: 0x3000000
Download to address: 0x3000000
Loading: %T %
Code from boot sequence

Code:
ICX64XX-boot>> boot
Booting image from Primary
## Booting image at 00007fc0 ...
   Created:      2012-03-02  20:38:52 UTC
   Data Size:    10360268 Bytes =  9.9 MB
   Load Address: 00008000
   Entry Point:  00008000
   Verifying Checksum ... OK
OK

Starting kernel in BE mode ...
Uncompressing Image........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ done, booting the kernel.
Config partition mounted.
Starting the FastIron.
OS>Starting Main Task .INFO: startup config data is not available, try to read from backup
INFO: startup config data in the backup area is not available
CPSS DxCh Version: cpss3.4p1 release
        mem_size = 6400 mem_size = 6400Pre Parsing Config Data ...
INFO: empty config data in the primary area, try to read from backup
INFO: empty config data in the backup area also

Parsing Config Data ...
INFO: empty config data in the primary area, try to read from backup
INFO: empty config data in the backup area also

  Copyright (c) 1996-2012 Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.
    UNIT 1: compiled on Mar  2 2012 at 12:38:17 labeled as ICX64S07400
                (10360844 bytes) from Primary ICX64S07400.bin
        SW: Version 07.4.00T311
  Boot-Monitor Image size = 512, Version:07.4.00T310 (kxz10105)
  HW: Stackable ICX6450-48-HPOE
==========================================================================
UNIT 1: SL 1: ICX6450-48p POE 48-port Management Module
         Serial  #: BZT2527H0BM
         License: BASE_SOFT_PACKAGE   (LID: dbvHKHMjFdo)
         P-ENGINE  0: type DEF0, rev 01
         P-ENGINE  1: type DEF0, rev 01
==========================================================================
UNIT 1: SL 2: ICX6450-SFP-Plus 4port 40G Module
==========================================================================
  800 MHz ARM processor ARMv5TE, 400 MHz bus
65536 KB flash memory
  512 MB DRAM
STACKID 1  system uptime is 14 seconds
The system : started=cold start

....ICX6450-48P Switch>
Stack unit 1 PS 1, Internal Power supply detected and up.
PoE: Stack unit 1 Power supply 1 with 740000 mwatts capacity is up
PoE Info: Adding new 54V capacity of 740000 mW, total capacity is 740000, total free capacity is 740000
PoE Info: PoE module detected. Initializing....
PoE Info: PoE module 1 of Unit 1 initialization is done.
You have an older firmware from 2012, so some of fodeesha' s instructions may not work based off recent user setup post. @Lone Wolf recently setup a switch with 07.4 series firmware. Maybe he could share the replacement commands he used to get up and running to latest available firmware.

 
Last edited:
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Lone Wolf

Member
Apr 3, 2022
47
9
8
You have an older firmware from 2012, so some of fodeesha' s instructions may not work based off recent user setup post. @Lone Wolf recently setup a switch with 07.4 series firmware. Maybe he could share the replacement commands he used to get up and running to latest available firmware.
I WISH I knew the exact commands I used, I would be happy to post them.

sdyoung, it should like you have the same problem I had! Basically what I did was that I dug through the ? menus until I saw a command that let me set an IP. It sounds like your switch already has an IP (I assume from your DHCP server) so go into the webui and scroll to the bottom and look for TFTP and click on Image. Enter the IP of your TFTP server. Under Image File Name put: ICX64xx/ICX64R08030u.bin. Make sure "Primary" is selected. Then click "Copy from Server". If your TFTP server is set up right it should update to the latest firmware. Once its done (I believe you will see the status in the console), type 'reset' in the console and the switch should reboot. Once its booted you should be able to follow the document exactly as all the commands will work. You can skip updating the primary since it's already been done, but do the uboot. And the poe and basically, everything else! It's a good guide and will get you set up.

Let me know if that helps or not!

Edit: make sure the firewall is off on your TFTP server too.
 

Lone Wolf

Member
Apr 3, 2022
47
9
8
@Lone Wolf, do you remember what username/password you used to get into the gui? None of the default options I'm finding online have worked.
I don't believe there is one until you set it. I honestly can't remember the commands I used, if it was the ones from the manual or if I had to find a similar command in the menus. I would try the ones from the manual:

username root password yourpasshere
aaa authentication login default local
aaa authentication web default local

Since I've upgraded, I no longer have the old firmware to try and replicate what I did, but I'll do my best to try and remember what I can! If the commands above work you should be able to update the firmware and then you can follow the well-written manual.
 

sdyoung

New Member
Apr 10, 2022
12
5
3
Yeah, I tried those but it was coming back with 'username' and 'aaa' are unrecognized commands. I'll try to make my way through the menus to see if I can find anything else. Thanks for the help man!
 

tec240

New Member
Apr 11, 2022
2
1
3
I have 6450-24P and have updated the firmware and set it up according to the guide. I'm trying to just get inter-vlan routing working.
VLAN 2:
eth 1/1/3, 1/1/4
ve2, 192.168.129.2/24

VLAN 1: all other ports
ve1: 192.168.4.66/24

my laptop is plugged into 1/1/4 (vlan2), static ip 192.168.129.6, gateway 192.168.129.2
PC#2 is plugged into 1/1/7 (vlan1), static ip 192.168.129.39, gateway 192.168.4.66

laptop can ping both ve's, but not PC#2. PC#2 can ping both ve's but not the laptop.

What am I missing? Thanks!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
kswitch1(config)#sho run
Current configuration:
!
ver 08.0.30uT313
!
stack unit 1
module 1 icx6450-24p-poe-port-management-module
module 2 icx6450-sfp-plus-4port-40g-module
!
!
!
!
vlan 1 name DEFAULT-VLAN by port
router-interface ve 1
!
vlan 2 name z620LAN by port
untagged ethe 1/1/2 ethe 1/1/4
router-interface ve 2
!
!

aaa authentication web-server default local
aaa authentication login default local
enable telnet authentication
hostname kswitch1
ip dhcp-client disable
!
username root password .....
!
!
clock summer-time
clock timezone gmt GMT+06
web-management https
!
!
!
interface ve 1
ip address 192.168.4.66 255.255.255.0
!
interface ve 2
ip address 192.168.129.2 255.255.255.0
!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
 
Last edited:

Necrotyr

Active Member
Jun 25, 2017
206
52
28
Denmark
I have 6450-24P and have updated the firmware and set it up according to the guide. I'm trying to just get inter-vlan routing working.
VLAN 2:
eth 1/1/3, 1/1/4
ve2, 192.168.129.2/24

VLAN 1: all other ports
ve1: 192.168.4.66/24

my laptop is plugged into 1/1/4 (vlan2), static ip 192.168.129.6, gateway 192.168.129.2
PC#2 is plugged into 1/1/7 (vlan1), static ip 192.168.129.39, gateway 192.168.4.66

laptop can ping both ve's, but not PC#2. PC#2 can ping both ve's but not the laptop.

What am I missing? Thanks!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
kswitch1(config)#sho run
Current configuration:
!
ver 08.0.30uT313
!
stack unit 1
module 1 icx6450-24p-poe-port-management-module
module 2 icx6450-sfp-plus-4port-40g-module
!
!
!
!
vlan 1 name DEFAULT-VLAN by port
router-interface ve 1
!
vlan 2 name z620LAN by port
untagged ethe 1/1/2 ethe 1/1/4
router-interface ve 2
!
!

aaa authentication web-server default local
aaa authentication login default local
enable telnet authentication
hostname kswitch1
ip dhcp-client disable
!
username root password .....
!
!
clock summer-time
clock timezone gmt GMT+06
web-management https
!
!
!
interface ve 1
ip address 192.168.4.66 255.255.255.0
!
interface ve 2
ip address 192.168.129.2 255.255.255.0
!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Most likely windows firewall (assuming your clients are Windows).
 

sdyoung

New Member
Apr 10, 2022
12
5
3
Was able to update primary successfully but still having trouble with 'update_uboot'. Switch still doesn't seem to be able to see the TFTP server when in u-boot. Do you know if it's possible to update uboot through the GUI as well? Would primary flash boot sequence be the correct process (Configure>System>Boot Sequence)?
 

charles3ct

New Member
Aug 16, 2021
11
1
3
I can license them, just be aware the copper version (the vdx6740t) draws significant power, it's first gen 10gbase-T PHY, so like a few watts per port. I think they idle around 180w but I don't have any numbers written down from when I had one. also not quiet

I just received a VDX 6740 - Rethinking that I might have taken the wrong pill here - Either way I am going to get to learn something out of it.

I have a pair of them - pretty clean units - only has the 16 Licenses for 10Gb would like to hear about options please.
 

Lone Wolf

Member
Apr 3, 2022
47
9
8
Was able to update primary successfully but still having trouble with 'update_uboot'. Switch still doesn't seem to be able to see the TFTP server when in u-boot. Do you know if it's possible to update uboot through the GUI as well? Would primary flash boot sequence be the correct process (Configure>System>Boot Sequence)?
Hmmm... are you able to run the other commands properly? 'setenv uboot ICX64xx/kxz10105.bin' works without error? After I updated the Primary in the webui and rebooted, I was able to run those commands. I didn't see a way to update uboot through the webui but since the console commands worked I didn't need to worry about it. If you updated Primary through your TFTP then I assume it's not a firewall issue. You've run 'reset' to reboot the switch after updating the Primary?
 

sdyoung

New Member
Apr 10, 2022
12
5
3
Hmmm... are you able to run the other commands properly? 'setenv uboot ICX64xx/kxz10105.bin' works without error? After I updated the Primary in the webui and rebooted, I was able to run those commands. I didn't see a way to update uboot through the webui but since the console commands worked I didn't need to worry about it. If you updated Primary through your TFTP then I assume it's not a firewall issue. You've run 'reset' to reboot the switch after updating the Primary?
The 'setenv' commands have always worked on mine, even before flashing the new primary image. It just was never able to connect to/ping the TFTP server which I assumed was an issue with the TFTP server/Windows Firewall but that doesn't seem to be the case since no issues flashing via the GUI. So far, I've flashed new primary/secondary and ran 'reload' to reboot the switch.
Code:
ICX6450-48P Router>show flash
Stack unit 1:
  Compressed Pri Code size = 9871112, Version:08.0.30uT313 (ICX64R08030u.bin)
  Compressed Sec Code size = 8563580, Version:08.0.30uT311 (ICX64S08030u.bin)
  Compressed Boot-Monitor Image size = 512, Version:07.4.00T310
  Code Flash Free Space = 33636352