Connecting a QFX3500 Node Device to a QFX3008-I Interconnect Device

To form the data plane in a QFX3000 QFabric system, you connect the QSFP+ uplink ports on the QFX3500 Node device to the QSFP+ ports on the 16-port QSFP+ front cards in a QFX3008-I Interconnect device.

Caution: For redundancy, each QFX3500 Node device must be connected to each QFX3008-I Interconnect Device. For example, if you have two QFX3008-I Interconnect Devices, then at least one uplink port on each QFX3500 Node device must be connected to each QFX3008-I Interconnect Device. If you are connecting all four uplink ports to two QFX3008-I Interconnect Devices, we recommend connecting two uplink ports to each Interconnect device, each to a different front card.

Before you begin to cable the QFX3000 QFabric system data plane:

• Review Interface Specifications for Data Plane Connections for the QFabric System for information about the optical interface characteristics.
• Ensure that you have taken the necessary precautions for safe handling of lasers (see Laser and LED Safety Guidelines and Warnings for the QFX Series).
• Ensure you have installed QSFP+ transceivers in each port you are using. See Installing a Transceiver in a QFX Series Device.
• Ensure that you have appropriate fiber-optic cables (see Interface Specifications for Data Plane Connections for the QFabric System ).

To connect a QFX3500 Node device to a QFX3008-I Interconnect device:

Warning: Do not look directly into a fiber-optic transceiver or into the ends of fiber-optic cables. Fiber-optic transceivers and fiber-optic cables connected to transceivers emit laser light that can damage your eyes.

1. If the fiber-optic cable connector is covered by a rubber safety cap, remove the cap. Save the cap.
2. Remove the rubber safety cap from the QSFP+ optical transceiver on the QFX3500 Node device. Save the cap.
3. Insert the cable connector into the optical transceiver.
4. If the connector at the other end of the fiber-optic cable is covered by a rubber safety cap, remove the cap. Save the cap.
5. Remove the rubber safety cap from the QSFP+ optical transceiver on the 16-port QSFP+ front card on the QFX3008-I Interconnect device. Save the cap.
6. Insert the cable connector into the optical transceiver.
7. Secure the cables so that they are not supporting their own weight. Place excess cable out of the way in a neatly coiled loop. Placing fasteners on a loop helps cables maintain their shape.

   Caution: Do not bend fiber-optic cables beyond their minimum bend radius. Bending the cables beyond their minimum bend radius can damage the cables and cause problems that are difficult to diagnose. Do not let fiber-optic cables hang free from the connector. Do not allow fastened loops of cables to dangle, which stresses the cables at the fastening point.