Webinar: Nexus 7700

Notes from this Webinar

The Fab2 and CB Fab2 are different modules. the Fab2 modules are not interchangeable between the N7k or the N7700. (The CB stand for Crossbow). This is to do with the architecture.

2200 FEX can be used with the N7700:
2248PQ
2232TM-E

NX-OS 6.2 introduces the ability to configure M1, M1-XL, M2, F2e modules in the same VDC
Fabric Path Anycast - multiple active L3 default gateways. L3 ECMP load balancing

Here are the Links to the recording, CCO Login required:
WebEx recording: http://tools.cisco.com/pecx/login?URL=searchCourse%3FcourseId%3D00054194
PDF: http://tools.cisco.com/pecx/login?URL=searchCourse%3FcourseId%3D00054193
MP4: http://tools.cisco.com/pecx/login?URL=searchCourse%3FcourseId%3D00054382

Cisco FabricPath - As I Understand It

Cisco FabricPath is a Layer 2 fabric technology, used between the access and aggregation in the data center, which is an alternative to using spanning tree or layer 2 "pods" separated by layer 3 boundaries. This image taken from the Cisco FabricPath whitepaper illustrates this well:

Data centers are different to many enterprise campuses in that they need to extend layer 2 connectivity across large portions of the data center, often to take advantage technologies such as moving virtual machines around the data center.

Without going too far under the hood and staying very conceptual at this stage FabricPath uses a control protocol on top of IS-IS to delivery scalable L2 connectivity without blocking links.

Instead of the classic "data center triangle" using vPC and 2 connections to each pods aggregation switch FabricPath has a single connection to each aggregation switch. Using the example above the bandwidth is the same (40Gbps) but aggregation switch failure only reduces this by 25% rather than 50%.

FabricPath uses ECMP (Equal Cost MultiPath) so that all  links are forwarding and the ports in a port channel is 16 and ECMP v1 supports 16 way ECMP, making the fabrics potential 2.56Tbps (16 ports x 16 way x 10Gbps = 2560Gbps) as illustrated in the next diagram, again taken from the Cisco FabricPath white paper:

 Some benefits of FabricPath include:

• Simpler configuration
• Scalable layer 2 connectivity
• Higher Bandwidth
• Better availability in failure scenarios

Resources:

This information was mainly taken from the Cisco FabricPath whitepaper but trimmed and reworded for my own reference:

Cisco FabricPath Whitepaper

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/switches/ps9441/ps9402/white_paper_c11-605488.html

Cisco Nexus B22 Fabric Extender

If you are searching for the B22 fabric extended but cannot find a price from Cisco, the reason is because you cannot buy this product from Cisco. It is something that HP OEMs so you will have to go to HP instead.

Datasheet:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/switches/ps9441/ps10110/ps11975/data_sheet_c78-685265.html

Nexus 7004 Architecture

The Cisco Nexus7004 is a 4 slot chassis, which comprises of 2 supervisor slots and 2 line card slots, 2 power supplies and 5 fabric channels.

The fabric channels are a little unique to the 7004 because although they are similar to the fabric2 modules, operating at up to 110Gbps each they are hardwired into the switch so they are not removable or upgradable. To allow for central arbitration and a management connection between the modules and supervisors one of the fabric modules is reserved for this, making the potential system fabric speed 440Gbps.

The above figure is dependant on the modules used in the chassis. Because there is only 2 slots the bandwidth between the two cards will be dependant on the slowest line, up to the potential 440Gbps.

Below is a picture showing the architecture.

FET-10G= Hidden SKU

You might come across the same issue I did when trying to order FET-10G as spare parts. Ordinarily these items come as part of a larger build, Nexus for example, however what do you do if you want to order some on their own say as spares?

We it turns out the correct part code is:
FET-10G=

And although it's not on the pricing tool, price list, or the DCT, it is orderable. it comes up on the CCW and the ordering tool (so I'm told, I've not tried the ordering tool myself).