Connecting a QFX3600 Node Device to a QFX5100-24Q Interconnect Device
To form the data plane in a QFX3000-M QFabric system, you connect
the QSFP+ uplink ports (labeled Q0 through Q7) on the QFX3600 Node device to the QSFP+ ports (labeled Q through 23) on the QFX5100-24Q
Interconnect device (see Figure 1).
By default, four ports (labeled Q0 through Q3) are configured for 40-Gbps uplink
connections between your QFX3600 Node device and your Interconnect
device. Optionally, you can choose to configure the first eight ports
(labeled Q0 through Q7)
for the uplink connections (see Configuring the Port Type on QFX3600 Node Devices).
For redundancy, each QFX3600 Node device must be connected to each QFX5100-24Q Interconnect device. For example, if you have two QFX5100-24QI Interconnect devices, then at least one uplink port on each QFX3600 Node device must be connected to each QFX5100-24Q Interconnect device. If you are connecting all four uplink ports to two QFX5100-24Q Interconnect devices, we recommend connecting two uplink ports to each Interconnect device.
Before you begin to cable the QFX3000-M QFabric system data plane:
Review The Hardware Compatibility Tool 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 Cable Specifications for QSFP+ and QSFP28 Transceivers).
To connect a QFX3600 Node device to a QFX5100-24Q Interconnect device :
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.
- If the fiber-optic cable connector is covered by a rubber safety cap, remove the cap. Save the cap.
- Remove the rubber safety cap from the QSFP+ optical transceiver on the uplink port of the QFX3600 Node device. Save the cap.
- Insert the cable connector into the optical transceiver.
- 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.
- Remove the rubber safety cap from the QSFP+ optical transceiver on the QFX5100-24Q Interconnect device. Save the cap.
- Insert the cable connector into the optical transceiver.
- 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.