Two days ago, our unit's network was upgraded, and the core equipment used Intel550 series Layer 3 routing switches. The 500 series switch is a network switching and routing device launched by Intel, which can complete network segmentation, routing (550T or 550FX) and high-performance layer two network switching (510T, 520T). I stacked two 550FX (two module slots + 8×100M FX ports) with one 550T (two module slots + 8×10/100M TX ports), using two single-port stacking modules and a six-port matrix module. Before installation, I looked through the instructions. There is no six-port matrix stacking module in the compatible module list that comes with the instructions of the 550FX. However, there is one in the compatible module list that comes with the instructions of the 550T. Then insert the six-port matrix stacking module into the 550T and two single-port stacking modules into the 550FX.
Who knew that after starting the device, you can only see one 550T from the management software Device View, and the other two 550FXs were missing. I hurriedly used the serial port configuration cable to configure both 550FXs to have IP addresses, and then PING from 550T, but it still didn't work! I felt a sudden loss in my heart. Did the equipment break? As usual, this stacking method should be connected without configuration, and this type of fault instruction manual has not been mentioned.
After calming down, I summarized and analyzed the following possibilities:
1. The six-port matrix stacking module has a fault, resulting in the connection failure.
The 2.550T slot is faulty, and the six-port matrix stacking module cannot work normally.
3. The stacked cable is damaged, resulting in connection failure.
4. Both single-port stacking modules have faults (not likely).
5. Both 550FXs have faults (not likely).
6. Other unpredictable factors.
Complied with these possible failure factors, I arranged several tests.
First of all, I found another 550T, inserted both 550T into a single-port stacking module, connected a stacking cable, and after starting, the network was connected, and the stacking was successful. It is proved that the 550T and the two single-port stacking modules are working normally. Replace another stacked cable connection, which also passes, proving that both cables are free of faults. At this point, it is certain that 2, 3, and 4 may not be valid. So I inserted a 550FX into a single-port stacking module, and connected to a 550T stacking that was also inserted into a single-port stacking module. As a result, I changed to another 550FX and it was also connected! It can be seen that both 550FXs work normally. It seems that the fifth possibility is not true. Then, I replaced a 550T with a six-port matrix stacking module and stacked another 550T. It also works. The saying that the six-port matrix stacking module is faulty does not seem to be valid.
In the end, I stacked a 550T and a 550FX onto a 550T equipped with a matrix module. As a result, both 550Ts were connected, but that 550FX could not be found. It seems that the problem lies with the 550FX, which seems to be somewhat incompatible with using matrix module stacking, but all devices are normal. Moreover, Intel's introduction material clearly states that 550FX, 550T and 510T can be stacked to 7 layers through matrix modules, and my approach is clearly OK. Why can't it connect?
After thinking about it, I think the easiest way is to contact Intel's network engineer to solve this problem. After the phone was connected, the situation was briefly introduced and informed that all hardware devices were normal after the test, but the matrix module could not be stacked with 550FX. After listening to it, the other party thought about it and said that since all the devices are normal and stacked without success, please consider upgrading the firmware program of the device. Some old versions of firmware programs may not be able to support newly launched modules.
After hearing this, I quickly went online and found an authoritative explanation of this issue on the Intel company homepage.
As the current international new standards for networks are constantly being formulated and modified, and Intel has developed a variety of expansion function modules for 500 series switches. In order to support these new standards and modules, it is necessary to upgrade the switch's firmware (Firmware) in a timely manner. Since VER2.42, the firmware program has added support for six-port matrix stacking modules and Gigabit Ethernet modules. The current latest firmware version is VER 2.66.
When I looked at it, the firmware versions of the two 550T were VER 2.42, and the firmware versions of the two 550FX were VER 2.02, so I understood everything: the 550FX could not recognize the connected six-port matrix stacking module at all.
There are two ways to upgrade the software of the 500 switch. One is to upgrade it under the graphical interface through the Intel device management program Device View. The method is: first click on a switch to be upgraded, and then select DEVICE=> FIRMWARE=> UPGRADE=> NEXT => Select the appropriate upgrade file, and the system will automatically start upgrading. This method has the advantage of being intuitive, simple, fast and upgraded device configuration will not be lost, which is also the recommended method by Intel. However, one thing to note is that newly upgraded Firmware usually adds some new features. Older versions of Device View cannot be supported. It is best to upgrade Device View to the latest version before upgrading Firmware.
During the upgrade process, if the upgrade fails due to power outages, network interruptions and other factors, the old operating system stored in Flash Memory will be destroyed. The new operating system has not been written yet, the switch cannot run normally, and the Device View cannot be managed. At this time, failure recovery is required:
1. Set up a TFTP (trust FTP) server (This function is built into Device View 2.1.4), and copy the Firmware upgrade file to the publishing directory.
2. Connect the switch to a Windows 95 workstation by configuring a dedicated serial port line and start the "Super Terminal".
3. Press and hold the RESET key (a small pit under the POWER light) with the tip of the pen for 8-10 seconds, and the "Super Terminal" display enters the system maintenance mode.
4. At this time, you can use the tftp command to download the upgrade file from the server. The command format is as follows:
tftp ownip tftpip [gatewayip]
where filename is the upgrade file name, and ownip is the IP address of the device to be upgraded
tftpip TFTP server IP address gatewayip’s gateway address to the TFTP server.
For example: the upgrade file is ES550_2.61, and the IP address of the TFTP server is 10.10.10.11
Specify the IP address of the device to be upgraded to be 10.10.10.15, in the same network segment (no gateway required)
The command is as follows: tftp es550_2.61 10.10.10.15 10.10.10.10.10
Later, the system displays the download of the firmware upgrade file and the upgrade begins.
After completion, the system returns to factory settings (but the IP address is changed to the specified value when upgrading).
In addition, for devices that forget passwords, you can also use "Maintenance Mode" to remove existing settings. The method is as follows:
Enter maintenance mode first
Type the command: run defparm
Password settings are cleared.
So, under Down, the firmware of VER 2.66 was refreshed and the firmware of all switches was stacked, and it was indeed successful.
After this training, I deeply feel that today, with the rapid development of network technology, there are too many problems that need to be dealt with in a organized way of thinking. When difficulties arise, you should first look for all possible causes and judge and rule them out one by one. Even if the problem cannot be solved, you will at least have a deeper understanding of the situation and provide some basis for judgment for others. We should consult more engineers from network manufacturers. They are experienced and have a thorough understanding of the products, which can help us avoid many detours. This is our right to have. The Internet is a valuable source of information, and we can get the fastest and most authoritative solutions. Article entry: csh Editor in charge: csh
Who knew that after starting the device, you can only see one 550T from the management software Device View, and the other two 550FXs were missing. I hurriedly used the serial port configuration cable to configure both 550FXs to have IP addresses, and then PING from 550T, but it still didn't work! I felt a sudden loss in my heart. Did the equipment break? As usual, this stacking method should be connected without configuration, and this type of fault instruction manual has not been mentioned.
After calming down, I summarized and analyzed the following possibilities:
1. The six-port matrix stacking module has a fault, resulting in the connection failure.
The 2.550T slot is faulty, and the six-port matrix stacking module cannot work normally.
3. The stacked cable is damaged, resulting in connection failure.
4. Both single-port stacking modules have faults (not likely).
5. Both 550FXs have faults (not likely).
6. Other unpredictable factors.
Complied with these possible failure factors, I arranged several tests.
First of all, I found another 550T, inserted both 550T into a single-port stacking module, connected a stacking cable, and after starting, the network was connected, and the stacking was successful. It is proved that the 550T and the two single-port stacking modules are working normally. Replace another stacked cable connection, which also passes, proving that both cables are free of faults. At this point, it is certain that 2, 3, and 4 may not be valid. So I inserted a 550FX into a single-port stacking module, and connected to a 550T stacking that was also inserted into a single-port stacking module. As a result, I changed to another 550FX and it was also connected! It can be seen that both 550FXs work normally. It seems that the fifth possibility is not true. Then, I replaced a 550T with a six-port matrix stacking module and stacked another 550T. It also works. The saying that the six-port matrix stacking module is faulty does not seem to be valid.
In the end, I stacked a 550T and a 550FX onto a 550T equipped with a matrix module. As a result, both 550Ts were connected, but that 550FX could not be found. It seems that the problem lies with the 550FX, which seems to be somewhat incompatible with using matrix module stacking, but all devices are normal. Moreover, Intel's introduction material clearly states that 550FX, 550T and 510T can be stacked to 7 layers through matrix modules, and my approach is clearly OK. Why can't it connect?
After thinking about it, I think the easiest way is to contact Intel's network engineer to solve this problem. After the phone was connected, the situation was briefly introduced and informed that all hardware devices were normal after the test, but the matrix module could not be stacked with 550FX. After listening to it, the other party thought about it and said that since all the devices are normal and stacked without success, please consider upgrading the firmware program of the device. Some old versions of firmware programs may not be able to support newly launched modules.
After hearing this, I quickly went online and found an authoritative explanation of this issue on the Intel company homepage.
As the current international new standards for networks are constantly being formulated and modified, and Intel has developed a variety of expansion function modules for 500 series switches. In order to support these new standards and modules, it is necessary to upgrade the switch's firmware (Firmware) in a timely manner. Since VER2.42, the firmware program has added support for six-port matrix stacking modules and Gigabit Ethernet modules. The current latest firmware version is VER 2.66.
When I looked at it, the firmware versions of the two 550T were VER 2.42, and the firmware versions of the two 550FX were VER 2.02, so I understood everything: the 550FX could not recognize the connected six-port matrix stacking module at all.
There are two ways to upgrade the software of the 500 switch. One is to upgrade it under the graphical interface through the Intel device management program Device View. The method is: first click on a switch to be upgraded, and then select DEVICE=> FIRMWARE=> UPGRADE=> NEXT => Select the appropriate upgrade file, and the system will automatically start upgrading. This method has the advantage of being intuitive, simple, fast and upgraded device configuration will not be lost, which is also the recommended method by Intel. However, one thing to note is that newly upgraded Firmware usually adds some new features. Older versions of Device View cannot be supported. It is best to upgrade Device View to the latest version before upgrading Firmware.
During the upgrade process, if the upgrade fails due to power outages, network interruptions and other factors, the old operating system stored in Flash Memory will be destroyed. The new operating system has not been written yet, the switch cannot run normally, and the Device View cannot be managed. At this time, failure recovery is required:
1. Set up a TFTP (trust FTP) server (This function is built into Device View 2.1.4), and copy the Firmware upgrade file to the publishing directory.
2. Connect the switch to a Windows 95 workstation by configuring a dedicated serial port line and start the "Super Terminal".
3. Press and hold the RESET key (a small pit under the POWER light) with the tip of the pen for 8-10 seconds, and the "Super Terminal" display enters the system maintenance mode.
4. At this time, you can use the tftp command to download the upgrade file from the server. The command format is as follows:
tftp ownip tftpip [gatewayip]
where filename is the upgrade file name, and ownip is the IP address of the device to be upgraded
tftpip TFTP server IP address gatewayip’s gateway address to the TFTP server.
For example: the upgrade file is ES550_2.61, and the IP address of the TFTP server is 10.10.10.11
Specify the IP address of the device to be upgraded to be 10.10.10.15, in the same network segment (no gateway required)
The command is as follows: tftp es550_2.61 10.10.10.15 10.10.10.10.10
Later, the system displays the download of the firmware upgrade file and the upgrade begins.
After completion, the system returns to factory settings (but the IP address is changed to the specified value when upgrading).
In addition, for devices that forget passwords, you can also use "Maintenance Mode" to remove existing settings. The method is as follows:
Enter maintenance mode first
Type the command: run defparm
Password settings are cleared.
So, under Down, the firmware of VER 2.66 was refreshed and the firmware of all switches was stacked, and it was indeed successful.
After this training, I deeply feel that today, with the rapid development of network technology, there are too many problems that need to be dealt with in a organized way of thinking. When difficulties arise, you should first look for all possible causes and judge and rule them out one by one. Even if the problem cannot be solved, you will at least have a deeper understanding of the situation and provide some basis for judgment for others. We should consult more engineers from network manufacturers. They are experienced and have a thorough understanding of the products, which can help us avoid many detours. This is our right to have. The Internet is a valuable source of information, and we can get the fastest and most authoritative solutions. Article entry: csh Editor in charge: csh