IRF on 5700-32XGT-8XG-2QSFP+

[mmatch]

Hi all,

we think about buying three 5700-32XGT-8XG-2QSFP+ switches. To stack them we wood like to use the SFP+ ports. In the configuration guide only the 10G Base-T and the QSFP+ ports are mentioned for this model. The SFP+ ones are only listed for the other switches of the 5700 series. Is it correct that the SFP+ ones can't be used for IRF stacking?

Thanks,

P.S. This thread has been moved from Switches, Hubs, Modems (Legacy ITRC forum) to Comware-Based. - Hp Forum moderator

[Vince-Whirlwind]

Interesting - I recently made a design that was meant to use these switches.

I think it would be surprising for the 5900s, 5920s, and other 5700 models to support the use of SFP+ ports for IRF, but not these ones.

[manuel.bitzi]

I found that on my documentation: "Must use 10GbE/40GbE links".

I think the 10G-SFP+ will work as well. But I always used 40G for IRF stack.

br

Manuel

[mmatch]

Hi all,

thanks for the answers. I also would be surprised if it does not work. However the 5700 IRF Configuration guide ( http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04406882 ) says:

SFP+ port binding restrictions

SFP+ ports on the switches in Table 1 are grouped and available for IRF connection.

Table 1 SFP+ ports on the switch

(JG896A) HP FlexFabric 5700-40XG-2QSFP+ Switch

(JG897A) HP FlexFabric 5700-40XG-2QSFP+ TAA-compliant Switch

The SFP+ ports are grouped by port number in order, starting from 1. Each group contains four ports.

(JG897A) HP FlexFabric 5700-48G-4XG-2QSFP+ Switch

(JG895A) HP FlexFabric 5700-48G-4XG-2QSFP+ TAA-compliant Switch

The switch has four SFP+ ports. All the ports are in one group

While for the 10G-BaseT its written:

10-GE port binding restrictions

10-GE ports are available for IRF connection on the following switches:

(JG898A) HP FlexFabric 5700-32XGT-8XG-2QSFP+ Switch.

(JG899A) HP FlexFabric 5700-32XGT-8XG-2QSFP+ TAA-compliant Switch.

So the 5700-32XGT-8XG-2QSFP+ is explicitly not named in the SFP+ section.  Probably the SFP+ ports are considered as 10-GE ports for this switch. Unfortunately buying them to test is a bit to expensive ....

Thanks

[manuel.bitzi · Accepted solution]

Hi mmatch

From my HP contact I got the following feedback:

"Both ports (SFP+ and 10GBASE-T) can be part of the IRF configuration and can be combined in the same IRF-port as well ."

An other one told my that behind the SFP+ and the 10GBaseT-Ports there is the same ASIC. Because that it has to work with both kind of ports.

Best Regards

Manuel

[sdide]

Hi mmatch

I read that exact same passage in the manual a few times also noting the  5700-32XGT-8XG-2QSFP is missing in the SFP+ section. 

My best guess is that they work - in groups of four (as the other 10Gig IRF ports in the 5700/5900 series.)

I can't seem to find whitepapers on the 5700-series.

But I would call HP or your HP partner and ask.

Regards

[mmatch]

Hi all,

for now and the further planning I assume that it will work. It really looks like they all have the same ASIC behind. I will try to get it confirmed before ordering if we go with the HP switches.

Thanks again for all the helpful replies

[MarcoPisto]

Can anyone confirm that have sucessfully used SFP+ ports as IRF ports on the JG898A (5700-32XGT-8XG-2QSFP+) ?

-------------- another Q: -------------

I also would like to ask if i can combine 40Gbps and 2x10Gbps links on IRF setup.
I know it's not optimal but i have some pre-existing design limitations:

Switch A and B on the same building, IRF stacked by DAC cable on 40G port.
Switch C and D on another building, IRF stacked by DAC cable on 40G port.

I would like to consolidate everything into a single IRF cluster, i cannot use 40G connection due to fiber limitations (distance and quality) so i would like to understand if i can group 2x 10G SFP+ ports (each switch) to close the IRF ring to second building.
It will be an "unbalanced" IRF, 40 and 20 Gbps (cannot use more than 2x 10).

SW_A -> DAC 40 -> SW_B -> 2x 10 SFP+ -> SW_C -> DAC 40 -> SW_D -> 2x 10 SFP+ -> SW_A

Is this possible ? 

[manuel.bitzi]

Yes, that works fine. I have many of these installations due to limited fiber capabilities. The only limitation is, that you can only put links with the same speed into the same logical IRF-Port. But you can put 40G links into IRF-Port 1 and 10G links into IRF-Port2.

Regards
Manuel