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Converting the Device Mode for a QFabric System Component

You can configure some devices to act as a standalone switch or participate in a QFabric system in a particular role. To change the role of your device, you must set the device mode. Table 1 shows the device modes available for various devices.

Table 1: Support for device mode options

Device mode

QFX3500

QFX3600

QFX5100

Interconnect device

N/A

Supported

Supported for QFX3000-M

Node device

Supported

Supported

Supported

Standalone

Supported

Supported

N/A

To convert a device to a different mode, issue the request chassis device-mode command and specify the desired device mode. You verify the current and future device mode with the show chassis device-mode command.

When you convert a device from standalone mode to either Node device or Interconnect device mode, the software prepares the device to be configured automatically by the QFabric system. However, changing the device mode erases all configuration data on the device.

Note:

The QFX3600 switch requires Jloader Release 1.1.8 before you can convert the switch to Interconnect device mode. For more information, see: Jloader 1.1.8 Release for QFX-Series Platforms.

CAUTION:

We recommend that you back up your device configuration to an external location before converting a device to a different device mode.

The following procedures illustrate the conversion options available when you modify a device mode:

  • Convert from standalone switch mode to Node device mode

  • Convert from Node device mode to Interconnect device mode

  • Convert from Interconnect device mode to Node device mode

  • Convert from Node device mode or Interconnect device mode to standalone switch mode

To convert your device from standalone mode to Node device mode, follow these steps:

Standalone Switch to Node Device

Node Device to Interconnect Device

Interconnect Device to Node Device

QFabric Component (Interconnect or Node Device) to Standalone Switch

  1. Connect to your standalone device through the console port and log in as the root user.
  2. Back up your device configuration to an external location.
  3. Upgrade the software on your device to a QFabric system Node and Interconnect device software package that matches the QFabric system complete software package used by your QFabric system. If the complete software package for your QFabric system is named jinstall-qfabric-13.2X52-D10.2.rpm, you need to install the jinstall-qfabric-5-13.2X52-D10.2-domestic-signed.tgz package on your QFX5100 device and the jinstall-qfx-13.2X52-D10.2-domestic-signed.tgz package on your QFX3500 or QFX3600 device. Matching the two software packages ensures a smooth and successful addition of the device to the QFabric system inventory.
    Note:

    After you install the correct software, the QFX5100 device is placed into Node device mode by default and cannot be converted to any other mode in Junos OS Release 13.2X52-D10.

  4. Check the current device mode by issuing the show chassis device-mode command.
  5. Issue the request chassis device-mode command and select the desired device mode.
  6. Verify the future device mode by issuing the show chassis device-mode command.
  7. Reboot the device.
  8. Verify that the new device mode has been enabled by issuing the show chassis device-mode command.
  9. To enable a converted device to participate in the QFabric system, locate the applicable network cables for your device and connect the device ports to the control plane and data plane.
  10. (Optional) If you change the device back from Node device mode to standalone mode, restore the saved backup configuration from your external location.

Node Device to Interconnect Device

To convert your device from Node device mode to Interconnect device mode, follow these steps:

  1. From the default partition CLI prompt, back up your QFabric system configuration to an external location.

  2. Connect to your device through the console port and log in as the root user.

  3. Check the current device mode by issuing the show chassis device-mode command.

  4. Issue the request chassis device-mode command and select the desired device mode.

  5. Verify the future device mode by issuing the show chassis device-mode command.

  6. Reboot the device.

  7. Verify that the new device mode has been enabled by issuing the show chassis device-mode command.

  8. To enable a converted device to participate in the QFabric system in its new role, move the device to a different rack (as needed), locate the applicable network cables for your device, connect the device ports to the control plane and data plane per the design for your specific QFabric system, and reconfigure any aliases for the device at the QFabric default partition CLI prompt.

Interconnect Device to Node Device

To convert your device from Interconnect device mode to Node device mode, follow these steps:

  1. From the default partition CLI prompt, back up your QFabric system configuration to an external location.

  2. Connect to your device through the console port and log in as the root user.

  3. Check the current device mode by issuing the show chassis device-mode command.

  4. Issue the request chassis device-mode command and select the desired device mode.

  5. Verify the future device mode by issuing the show chassis device-mode command.

  6. Reboot the device.

  7. Verify that the new device mode has been enabled by issuing the show chassis device-mode command.

  8. To enable a converted device to participate in the QFabric system in its new role, move the device to a different rack (as needed), locate the applicable network cables for your device, connect the device ports to the control plane and data plane per the design for your specific QFabric system, and reconfigure any aliases for the device at the QFabric default partition CLI prompt.

QFabric Component (Interconnect or Node Device) to Standalone Switch

To convert your QFabric component from either Interconnect device mode or Node device mode to standalone switch mode, follow these steps:

  1. From the default partition CLI prompt, back up your QFabric system configuration to an external location.

  2. Connect to the desired QFabric component through the console port of the device and log in as the root user.

  3. Check the current device mode by issuing the show chassis device-mode command.

  4. Issue the request chassis device-mode standalone command to convert the component to standalone switch mode, while the component is still connected to the QFabric system.

    Note:

    Always convert the device mode to standalone before you remove the component from the QFabric system. If you remove the component from the QFabric system before converting the device mode to standalone, the switch might not operate properly. For example, the output of the show chassis hardware command might display no FPCs or interfaces for the switch.

  5. Verify the future device mode by issuing the show chassis device-mode command.

  6. Reboot the component to complete the conversion process.

  7. Disconnect and remove the component from the QFabric system. You may now operate the device as a standalone switch.

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