Brocade MLX Series and Brocade NetIron XMR Hardware ...

Managing switch fabric modules 7Managing switch fabric modulesThis section provides information about how to manage standard switch fabric modules and highspeed switch fabric modules.NOTEIn CLI output, standard modules are referred to as generation 1 (G1) modules, and high-speedmodules are referred to as generation 2 (G2) modules. The following interface modules areclassified by the system as G2 modules: 8x10G, 100G modules. All other interface modules such as4-port 10G, 2-port 10G, 20-port 1G, 24-port 1G, 48-port 1G and POS modules are classified by thesystem as G1 modules.High speed switch fabric (HSF) modules can operate in Normal mode or Turbo mode. Standardswitch fabric modules (SFM) can only operate in Normal mode. The HSF module is classified as aG2 module and SFM module is classified as a G1 module.When operating in Normal mode, the system uses fixed size cells across the backplane. Whenoperating in Turbo mode, the system uses variable size cells across the backplane. Turbo modeprovides higher performance since it is a more efficient mechanism of sending cells across thebackplane.The system selects the operating mode for switch fabric modules at startup, or when the firstswitch fabric or interface module is installed. The system uses this mode for all modules that aresubsequently installed. HSF modules will boot in Turbo mode only if all active interface modules areG2 modules. In a chassis loaded with G1 and G2 modules, the HSF modules will default to Normalmode.NOTEIf a system is operating in Turbo mode, G1 interface modules are blocked from operation. The userhas to change the switch fabric mode to Normal mode and restart the system before using the G1interface modules.If the system fabric mode is changed to Normal mode from Turbo mode, or vice versa, the systemwill not change the current operating mode unless the chassis is reloaded.NOTEChanges to the switch fabric operating mode do not take effect until after a system reload.The switch fabric modes have the following restrictions:• The system blocks discovery of any standard switch fabric (G1) module if you have issued thesystem-init block-g1-sfm command. Refer to “Blocking discovery of G1 switch fabric modules”on page 330.• If the system is operating in Turbo mode, standard switch fabric modules (G1) and standard(G1) interface modules are automatically blocked.• If there are any active G1 switch fabric modules, G2 interface modules are blocked.• If there are any active G2 interface modules, G1 switch fabric modules are blocked.Brocade MLX Series and Brocade NetIron XMR Hardware Installation Guide 32953-1002373-02