This section describes the requirements and guidelines for connecting a SmartFabric to an upstream network.
Physical connectivity
All physical Ethernet connections within an uplink from a SmartFabric are automatically grouped into a single LACP LAG. All related ports on the upstream switches must also be in a single LACP LAG. Failure to do so may create network loops.
A minimum of one physical uplink from each MX switch to each upstream switch is required and the uplinks must be connected in a mesh design. For example, if you have two upstream switches, you need two uplinks from each MX9116n FSE, as shown in the following figure.
Starting with Dell Networking OS10.5.2.4 and later, a SmartFabric supports a maximum of four Ethernet – no Spanning Tree or three legacy Ethernet uplinks. Versions of Dell Networking OS10.5.1.6 or earlier, a SmartFabric supports a maximum of three Ethernet - no Spanning Tree uplinks or three legacy Ethernet uplinks.
The maximum number of uplinks supported in SmartFabric are detailed in the following table.
OME-M version | Uplink type supported | Number of uplinks |
2.10.00 | Ethernet - No Spanning Tree | 4 |
Legacy Ethernet (with Spanning Tree) | 3 | |
Fibre Channel | 1 (from each switch) | |
2.00.00 | Ethernet - No Spanning Tree | 4 |
Legacy Ethernet (with Spanning Tree) | 3 | |
Fibre Channel | 1 (from each switch) | |
1.40.00 | Ethernet - No Spanning Tree | 4 |
Legacy Ethernet (with Spanning Tree) | 3 | |
Fibre Channel | 1 (from each switch) | |
1.30.00 | Ethernet - No Spanning Tree | 4 |
Legacy Ethernet (with Spanning Tree) | 3 | |
Fibre Channel | 1 (from each switch) | |
1.20.10 | Ethernet - No Spanning Tree | 3 |
Legacy Ethernet (with Spanning Tree) | 3 | |
Fibre Channel | 1 (from each switch) | |
1.20.00 | Ethernet - No Spanning Tree | 2 (Only QSFP28 interfaces are currently supported for Ethernet - No Spanning Tree uplinks.) |
Legacy Ethernet (with Spanning Tree) | 3 | |
Fibre Channel | 1 (from each switch) | |
1.10.20 and earlier | Ethernet | 3 |
Fibre Channel | 1 (from each switch) |
Dell Technologies has tested uplinks with the following combination of switch models, and operating system versions.
Manufacturer | Switch model | Operating system version |
Cisco | Nexus C93180YC-EX | NX-OS 9.2.4 |
FEX C2232-PP | ||
Nexus C93180YC-EX | ACI 14.0(3d) | |
Nexus C9332C | ||
FEX C2232-PP | ||
Arista | DCS-7280SR2K-48C6-F | 4.23.0F |