Fabric Extender Flashcards
(15 cards)
What is the primary function of a Fabric Extender (FEX) in Nexus switches?
Your selected answer, “It extends the ports of a Parent Switch while being managed by it,” is accurate because a Fabric Extender (FEX) functions as an extension of the parent switch, allowing you to increase port density while relying on the parent switch for management and control.
Which Nexus models are typically used as Parent Switches for FEX?
Your selection of “Nexus 5000, 7000, and 9000” is correct because these models are designed to act as Parent Switches for Fabric Extenders (FEX), with the Nexus 9000 also supporting FEX in specific configurations, enhancing network scalability and flexibility.
How are FEX devices connected to a Parent Switch?
Your choice of “Using fabric ports” is correct because fabric ports are specifically designed to connect Fabric Extenders (FEX) to the Parent Switch, allowing for effective communication and management.
What must be enabled before using a FEX?
Your selected answer, “feature fex,” is correct because this command must be activated to configure any Fabric Extender (FEX) device on a Nexus switch.
What command is used to assign a number to a FEX?
Your selection of “fex fex-number” is correct because this command follows the required format for assigning a number to a Fabric Extender (FEX), where numbering begins from 100.
How can you check the status of a connected FEX?
Your choice of “show fex” is correct because it effectively displays the current status and details of connected Fabric Extenders (FEX), which is crucial for monitoring and managing your network components.
What is the default behavior of front panel ports in a FEX?
Your selection of “They support BPDU Guard and PortFast” is correct because BPDU Guard protects your network from potential loops by disabling ports when a switch is connected, while PortFast allows devices to connect and send traffic immediately, reducing the delay typically associated with port activation.
What happens if a switch is connected to a FEX front panel port?
You correctly identified that connecting a switch to a FEX front panel port causes it to go into an error-disabled state because this mechanism is designed to protect the network from potential broadcast storms and loops.
How many FEX devices can be connected to a single Parent Switch?
Your selection of “12” is correct because a single Parent Switch can indeed support a maximum of 12 FEX devices, which is essential knowledge for efficiently scaling your network infrastructure.
Which command is used to configure a port as a FEX fabric port?
Your choice of “switchport mode fex-fabric” is correct because this command is essential for configuring ports as FEX fabric ports, ensuring proper communication and functionality within the FEX architecture.
What happens if a FEX loses connection to its Parent Switch?
Your answer, “It stops working but retains configuration,” is correct because, when a FEX loses connection to its Parent Switch, the configuration remains saved on the Parent Switch and can be restored once the connection is re-established.
What is the best practice for connecting a FEX to a Parent Switch?
You selected “Use port channels” as the best practice for connecting a FEX to a Parent Switch because port channels provide load balancing and redundancy. This means that if one link fails, traffic can still flow through the remaining active links, ensuring higher network availability and resilience.
What is the max-link value when using port channels for FEX?
Your answer, “1,” is correct because when using port channels, the max-links setting must be 1 to ensure that the FEX operates correctly and maintains effective connectivity.
What is NOT supported when bundling FEX fabric links?
Your selection of “LACP” is correct because LACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol) is not supported for FEX fabric links. Understanding this limitation is essential for effective network design, ensuring you use compatible methods for link aggregation.
What is the impact of changing pinning configuration on a FEX?
By selecting “It causes temporary traffic loss,” you acknowledge that changing the pinning configuration disrupts the connection momentarily, leading to a brief outage.
