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Configuring FCoE on Cisco Nexus 5000 Series Switches

Introduction to FCoE

Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) enables the transport of Fibre Channel traffic over Ethernet connections. This guide details how to configure FCoE on Cisco Nexus 5000 Series switches, ensuring full-duplex and lossless operation for Fibre Channel traffic.

This chapter covers FCoE configuration, including information about FCoE, licensing requirements, converged network adapters, Data Center Bridging Exchange Protocol (DCBX), and Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP).

Key Concepts and Requirements

Converged Network Adapters (CNAs)

FCoE on Cisco Nexus 5000 Series switches supports 10-Gigabit Ethernet interfaces. Configuration involves connecting the switch directly to servers equipped with CNAs. CNAs can be hardware adapters or software stacks, presenting both SAN and LAN interfaces to the operating system.

DCBX Protocol

The Data Center Bridging Exchange Protocol (DCBX) facilitates negotiation of capabilities and configuration values between the switch and the adapter. It supports FCoE, Priority Flow Control (PFC), and logical link up/down signaling. DCBX ensures compatibility and simplifies administration by allowing the switch to distribute configuration data.

Licensing

FCoE capability on Cisco Nexus 5000 Series switches is included with the Storage Protocol Services License. Users must ensure the correct license (N5010SS or N5020SS) is installed and FCoE is activated via the CLI command feature fcoe.

Configuration Procedures

Enabling FCoE

FCoE is enabled globally using the command feature fcoe after the FC_FEATURES_PKG is installed. For specific Ethernet interfaces, FCoE can be enabled or disabled using the fcoe mode {auto | on} command.

Configuring Priority Flow Control (PFC)

PFC allows pause functionality for specific traffic classes based on IEEE 802.1p CoS values. It can be negotiated automatically or forced on an interface using the priority-flow-control mode {auto | on} command. Link-level flow control is an alternative if PFC is disabled.

Configuring LLDP

The Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP) can be configured globally for settings like holdtime, reinitialization, and timers, or on individual interfaces to enable or disable transmit/receive functions.

Verifying Configuration

Configuration status can be verified using CLI commands such as show fcoe to check FCoE enablement and show lldp to display LLDP interface information, neighbor details, timers, and traffic counters.

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