Quanta LB6M (10GbE) -- Discussion

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jtroberts

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Jan 5, 2017
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@segfault: Thanks for the earlier explanation of your use of Layer 3. I have been curious as to how one uses it for a small home network situation. I am getting more interested in attempting to separate my home lan from guest traffic, although the only other person coming over to my house is my brother, and I just give him access to the home network and all my media files to browse anyways.


@jmoll: Sweet mods man! That's what I'm talkin' about! Cool! :cool:. I always wanted to do this with my lb6m, but never got around to taking the top somewhere I could get it cut. You know, the switch puts out major heat, why not reverse those bad boys to suck OUT the hot air. The switch might like that. You can do a test run to see what position the temps are cooler. I currently have all my little fans blowing all the hot air out of the switch. Those little bastards are working overtime!


@Terry Kennedy: Yeah, I had heard that the Dell versions of the switch did do Layer 3. That's good to know. I also read somewhere that the Dell versions of the fast path software are alittle bit more customizable, and that the fastpath software on this switch had way more unlocked features than the lb6m. I so wish they continued updates on this switch. I know it was built proprietary, but this switch would be awesome with all the added features.


@jtroberts: Yeah I remember Sorin mentioning awhile back in the thread that he and his friend was working on something. He posted a little excerpt/software tidbit of sorts awhile ago too. I haven't seen anything else. Guess we have to wait to see what Sorin cooks up with his buddy. My main requested feature is a webgui. I wanna "see" my options. I have gotten used to the command line, but a good looking webgui would really spruce up this old goose!


@segfault, @Jmoli, @Metrotyranno, @c6100 and @jtroberts, Welcome to STH mates! We are glad to have you! Thanks for your contributions and feel free to bother us anytime! Love seeing new members!
I think most just want to see better interoperability, IE:transceiver support so they don't have to run 2 switches. GUI is not necessary for a switch. For me everything is homerun and running 2 switches is just a waste of power. I'm thinking I should have gone the LB4M route since I only need 2 hosts connected to 10G DAC. Are others using the LB4M is that way? Thanks, I hope Sorin has some news. I truly thing this is possible.
 
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jtroberts

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Jan 5, 2017
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Yeah, it does seem strange from the get go that 1G transceivers aren't working. But why no webgui? It could be sweet!

I feel ya on the power thing though. I was talking to my brother and we agree that we need to save power and decrease the amount of boxes we have running. I just talked him into setting up pfsense, then I wanted to create a separate box for a separate vpn server. I know pfsense does it, but I seem to like separating my different services on separate boxes. I think I will give the vpn on pfsense a try first though.

Yeah, if you just need 1GB link ups, the lb4m works. You can also snag a small 4-8 port sfp switch for this too. I have a old Linksys/Cisco SRW2008 with two 1GB sfp ports. Its a bit old of course, but it worked good, and it had a webgui with management software and let me do LAG and other things.
Sure webui is a nice to have but it's simply convenience, so for order of preference, 1GB compatibility is more important than a web gui.

I am not a fan of pfsense but if you wanted to got that route look at opnsense, or cumulus or better yet, vyos. sorry no gui with vyos but it's the best inho. Setting up VPN is bonehead easy on opnsense. My issues with opnsense and pfsense is they are over restrictive putting firewalls on inside traffic and inside traffic headed towards the internet. They just complicate it more than it needs to be and cause more headache. I have about 20 other devices all hardwired, so a small switch doesn't help.
 
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rasmus

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Jan 10, 2017
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Hi,

First of all, I can't run STP in my case :)

Does anyone have a working loop detection configuration for the LB6M? It doesn't seem to have a dedicated loop-detection function so I've tried to use the port-security feature. The manual for LB4M states that there is a command called "port-security violation shutdown" under 6.8.6.6 but that command doesn't seem to exist in the LB6M, or?


(FASTPATH Routing) (Interface 0/25)#port-security ?
<cr> Press enter to execute the command.
mac-address Add Static MAC address to the interface.
max-dynamic Set Dynamic Limit for the interface.
max-static Set Static Limit for the interface.

I'm running this version:
System Description............................. Quanta LB6M, 1.2.0.18, Linux 2.6.21.7
Machine Type................................... Quanta LB6M
Machine Model.................................. LB6M
Part Number.................................... BCM56820
Maintenance Level.............................. A
Manufacturer................................... 0xbc00
Software Version............................... 1.2.0.18
Operating System............................... Linux 2.6.21.7
Network Processing Device...................... BCM56820_B0

I can configure other port-security parts but that doesn't help much if there isn't any violation action.

(FASTPATH Routing) #show port-security 0/25
Admin Dynamic Static Violation Sticky
Intf Mode Limit Limit Trap Mode Mode
------ ------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------
0/25 Enabled 1 1 Disabled Disabled

I've tried both dynamic and static configurations, none works.
 
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Oct 9, 2016
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I wish to purchase on LB6M All of my Servers are on the same rack.
Which is the cheapest SFP+ transceiver/cable combo do you suggest for 10Gbe ?
 

jmoll

Member
Jan 1, 2017
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I wish to purchase on LB6M All of my Servers are on the same rack.
Which is the cheapest SFP+ transceiver/cable combo do you suggest for 10Gbe ?
I think that there is people with more knowledge about the matter but I am living in understanding that the passive copper sfp+ twinax DAC's are the best/cheapest option if you have things in the same rack... For the longer cabling transceivers and fiber. Check with someone else before you make the purchase ;)
 

rasmus

New Member
Jan 10, 2017
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After poking through various Quanta Docs, I think I have a manual that covers this switch. Most everything works on the LB6M as detailed in the QuantaMesh docs. I've made a shared folder with the firmware, docs and the U-Boot image for this switch.

Quanta

Additionally, I've been able to pull apart the firmware using normal tricks(binwalk). Surprisingly the firmware build comes up as both lb6m and lb4m.

Code:
Vital Product Data:-
         Operational Code Image File Name - Q-FastPath-Ent-esw-lb6m-lb4m-LR-CS-QHr1v2m0b14
         Rel 1, Ver 2, Maint Lev 0, Bld No 14
         Timestamp - Fri Nov  4 04:39:00 EDT 2011
         Number of components - 1
         Device 9471297
         L7_MODULE_LIST=linux-kernel-bde.ko linux-user-bde.ko
The whole thing is built on linux without any sort of obfuscation and has the necessary kernel modules easily available. I really think that Indigo/OpenFlow might be a serious possibility on this switch.
How did you extract the u-boot file? I'm quite curious about whether it's possible to install the TurboIron24x software onto this box, but I don't understand how to replace u-boot with the TurboIrons ditto, and u-boot doesn't like the TurboIron image.
 
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drake3

New Member
Feb 11, 2011
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Hi All,

I am thinking about getting one of these refurb LB6Ms, but how loud are they, really? I have two
dell r710s, a super micro SC846 and 8 bay chassis in my rack. They make noise, but the one that takes the cake is the Cisco Nexus 5548 in the rack at work. Geez, I hate going into the room with that thing running. I will never bring that Nexus home, ever.

Is the LB6M that loud? Thanks for the info!
 

xhypno402

New Member
Dec 7, 2016
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Hi All,

I am thinking about getting one of these refurb LB6Ms, but how loud are they, really? I have two
dell r710s, a super micro SC846 and 8 bay chassis in my rack. They make noise, but the one that takes the cake is the Cisco Nexus 5548 in the rack at work. Geez, I hate going into the room with that thing running. I will never bring that Nexus home, ever.

Is the LB6M that loud? Thanks for the info!
At start up and under heavy load, my LB6m with stock fans registers on a meter at 76-78dbA. Under low load and idle it sits close to 56dbA.
 

drake3

New Member
Feb 11, 2011
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Thanks for the measurements - that is a wild range. From almost like normal conversation to LOUDLY yelling. I think it will work fine in my storage room rack.
 

Deci

Active Member
Feb 15, 2015
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has anyone used or know what extended range/40km optics work with these?

i am seeing lots about finistar SR optics, but nothing about long range ones.
 

xhypno402

New Member
Dec 7, 2016
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has anyone used or know what extended range/40km optics work with these?

i am seeing lots about finistar SR optics, but nothing about long range ones.
I haven't used LR optics with mine, but every single SR and DAC I have used has worked perfectly.
 

segfault

New Member
Apr 5, 2016
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hasno.info
Hi,

First of all, I can't run STP in my case :)

Does anyone have a working loop detection configuration for the LB6M? It doesn't seem to have a dedicated loop-detection function so I've tried to use the port-security feature. The manual for LB4M states that there is a command called "port-security violation shutdown" under 6.8.6.6 but that command doesn't seem to exist in the LB6M, or?
I have had spanning tree and multiple spanning tree working fine on my lb6m.
Currently it's setup as non-root and is playing nice with my 3750x.

Code:
(lb6m) #show spanning-tree

Bridge Priority................................ 4096
Bridge Identifier.............................. 10:00:04:7D:7B:B0:16:E3
Time Since Topology Change..................... 10 day 23 hr 6 min 42 sec
Topology Change Count.......................... 1
Topology Change in progress.................... FALSE
Designated Root................................ 00:00:4D:00:82:DA:7E:00
Root Path Cost................................. 2000
Root Port Identifier........................... 80:18
Bridge Max Age................................. 20
Bridge Max Hops................................ 20
Bridge Tx Hold Count........................... 6
Bridge Forwarding Delay........................ 15
Hello Time..................................... 2
Bridge Hold Time............................... 6
CST Regional Root.............................. 10:00:04:7D:7B:B0:16:E3
Regional Root Path Cost........................ 0



     Associated FIDs           Associated VLANs
     ---------------           ----------------
     1                         1
     2                         2
     10                        10
     20                        20
     30                        30
     40                        40
     50                        50
Config-wise here's the relevant snippet:
Code:
spanning-tree configuration name "04-7D-7B-B0-16-E3"
spanning-tree bpduguard
spanning-tree bpdufilter default
spanning-tree mst priority 0 4096
spanning-tree mst instance 1
spanning-tree mst instance 10
spanning-tree mst instance 20
spanning-tree mst instance 30
spanning-tree mst instance 40
spanning-tree mst instance 50
 

xhypno402

New Member
Dec 7, 2016
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I have had spanning tree and multiple spanning tree working fine on my lb6m.
Currently it's setup as non-root and is playing nice with my 3750x.

Code:
(lb6m) #show spanning-tree

Bridge Priority................................ 4096
Bridge Identifier.............................. 10:00:04:7D:7B:B0:16:E3
Time Since Topology Change..................... 10 day 23 hr 6 min 42 sec
Topology Change Count.......................... 1
Topology Change in progress.................... FALSE
Designated Root................................ 00:00:4D:00:82:DA:7E:00
Root Path Cost................................. 2000
Root Port Identifier........................... 80:18
Bridge Max Age................................. 20
Bridge Max Hops................................ 20
Bridge Tx Hold Count........................... 6
Bridge Forwarding Delay........................ 15
Hello Time..................................... 2
Bridge Hold Time............................... 6
CST Regional Root.............................. 10:00:04:7D:7B:B0:16:E3
Regional Root Path Cost........................ 0



     Associated FIDs           Associated VLANs
     ---------------           ----------------
     1                         1
     2                         2
     10                        10
     20                        20
     30                        30
     40                        40
     50                        50
Config-wise here's the relevant snippet:
Code:
spanning-tree configuration name "04-7D-7B-B0-16-E3"
spanning-tree bpduguard
spanning-tree bpdufilter default
spanning-tree mst priority 0 4096
spanning-tree mst instance 1
spanning-tree mst instance 10
spanning-tree mst instance 20
spanning-tree mst instance 30
spanning-tree mst instance 40
spanning-tree mst instance 50
Mind sharing your switch info. Firmware version etc. I have tried spanning trees on my lb6m and it failed as and would love to see the difference from yours to try and get mine going.
 

segfault

New Member
Apr 5, 2016
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hasno.info
Mind sharing your switch info. Firmware version etc. I have tried spanning trees on my lb6m and it failed as and would love to see the difference from yours to try and get mine going.
Sure:
Code:
(lb6m) #show tech

 ***************** Show Version ******************

Switch: 1

System Description............................. Quanta LB6M, 1.2.0.14, Linux
                                                2.6.21.7
Machine Type................................... Quanta LB6M
Machine Model.................................. LB6M
Serial Number.................................. QTFCRW2190047
FRU Number..................................... 1LB6BZZ0STJ
Part Number.................................... BCM56820
Maintenance Level.............................. A
Manufacturer................................... 0xbc00
Burned In MAC Address.......................... 04:7D:7B:B0:16:E3
Software Version............................... 1.2.0.14
Operating System............................... Linux 2.6.21.7
Network Processing Device...................... BCM56820_B0
Additional Packages............................ FASTPATH QOS
                                                FASTPATH Routing
 

INNO_SERVER

New Member
Jan 19, 2017
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I just bought LB6M.

I tested it somedays.

My environment is belows

Workstation
Dell Precision T7610 Workstation w/ mellanox connectx2 10Gbe Card w/ Finisar Gbic + LC3 Optical cable 50m. OS : Windows 10
NAS
HP n36L w/ mellanox connectx2 10Gbe Card w/ Cisco DAC cable 3m OS:xpenology
Storage
Custom X5670 Dual w/ ARC-1680 * 2 and Chelsio S320E w/ Cisco DAC cable 3m, OS:FreeNAS
LB6M
mtu was 9000, other settings were factory defaults.

I tested network speed with iperf3.

Storage was set to server mode, and tested on workstation via LB6M


Connecting to host 10.1.2.41, port 5201
[ 5] local 10.1.2.101 port 2205 connected to 10.1.2.41 port 5201
[ ID] Interval Transfer Bandwidth
[ 5] 0.00-1.00 sec 256 KBytes 2.10 Mbits/sec
[ 5] 1.00-2.01 sec 0.00 Bytes 0.00 bits/sec
[ 5] 2.01-3.00 sec 0.00 Bytes 0.00 bits/sec
[ 5] 3.00-4.00 sec 0.00 Bytes 0.00 bits/sec
[ 5] 4.00-5.00 sec 67.2 MBytes 566 Mbits/sec
[ 5] 5.00-6.00 sec 240 MBytes 2.01 Gbits/sec
[ 5] 6.00-7.00 sec 282 MBytes 2.37 Gbits/sec
[ 5] 7.00-8.00 sec 281 MBytes 2.36 Gbits/sec
[ 5] 8.00-9.00 sec 282 MBytes 2.36 Gbits/sec
[ 5] 9.00-10.00 sec 294 MBytes 2.47 Gbits/sec
[ 5] 10.00-11.00 sec 308 MBytes 2.58 Gbits/sec
[ 5] 11.00-12.00 sec 293 MBytes 2.46 Gbits/sec
[ 5] 12.00-13.00 sec 295 MBytes 2.48 Gbits/sec
[ 5] 13.00-14.00 sec 293 MBytes 2.46 Gbits/sec
[ 5] 14.00-15.00 sec 308 MBytes 2.59 Gbits/sec
[ 5] 15.00-16.00 sec 295 MBytes 2.48 Gbits/sec
[ 5] 16.00-17.00 sec 295 MBytes 2.47 Gbits/sec
[ 5] 17.00-18.00 sec 298 MBytes 2.50 Gbits/sec
[ 5] 18.00-19.00 sec 307 MBytes 2.58 Gbits/sec
[ 5] 19.00-20.00 sec 307 MBytes 2.57 Gbits/sec
[ 5] 20.00-21.00 sec 308 MBytes 2.58 Gbits/sec
[ 5] 21.00-22.00 sec 310 MBytes 2.60 Gbits/sec
[ 5] 22.00-23.00 sec 310 MBytes 2.60 Gbits/sec
[ 5] 23.00-24.00 sec 316 MBytes 2.65 Gbits/sec
[ 5] 24.00-25.00 sec 318 MBytes 2.67 Gbits/sec
[ 5] 25.00-26.00 sec 291 MBytes 2.44 Gbits/sec
[ 5] 26.00-27.00 sec 304 MBytes 2.55 Gbits/sec
[ 5] 27.00-28.00 sec 319 MBytes 2.67 Gbits/sec
[ 5] 28.00-29.00 sec 298 MBytes 2.50 Gbits/sec
[ 5] 29.00-30.00 sec 326 MBytes 2.73 Gbits/sec
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[ ID] Interval Transfer Bandwidth
[ 5] 0.00-30.00 sec 7.37 GBytes 2.11 Gbits/sec sender
[ 5] 0.00-30.00 sec 7.37 GBytes 2.11 Gbits/sec receiver

Two problem is here. First, some delay was appears in front of transfer, especially, 0 to 5 seconds, it might make real world transfer problem w/ ftp, some files were not transfered. Second, overall speed of transfer was so slow. When connection make direct workstation to storage, no initial delays and Bandwidth were about 4Gbits/sec.

Anybody tell me why? What's the problem?
 

Fritz

Well-Known Member
Apr 6, 2015
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Hello,
now 1 more owner of that toy with GodZilla scream.
(Also started collecting any data)
Welcome and good luck taming the beast. Mine is out exiled in the spare room where it can scream all it wants.
 

ArcticFox_RU

New Member
Jan 22, 2017
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I meant godzilla's scream of owner, but LB6M really noisy. PowerPC with DDR1 but using fans like in hell.
How about some naming conventions for interfaces?
I've found: 0/X - physical, 1/X - LAG, 2/X - vlan
Is this so?

Could someone make a photo of CPU board and it's jumpers? Looking a possibility to mound USB-flash drive to it.
 
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