ERS8600 Ver 5.1.x with 8x91SF module (8691SF)

[afootyboy]

A newbi to all

Currently Running Dual 8600 Core SMLT configuration under  Ver 4.1.8.x with static layer 3 routing and VRRP
Core 1 = 2 x 8692SF Module 256M no mezz module (Utilisation 17-20%)
Core 2 = 2 x 8x91SF Module 256M no mezz module (Utilisation 17-20%)

I am looking to upgrade to a stable Ver 5.1.x.x

Is Ver 5.1.x.x compatible with 8x91SF 256M no mezz module
is there any reason why IST - SMLT configuration would not be supported.
i am looking to possible remove VRRP in favour of RSMLT,

Any advise on the compatibility of 8x91SF and Stable Ver 5.1.x.x would be very appreciated.

many thanks

afootyboy

[Michael McNamara]

Hi and welcome to the forums!

You'll probably find that 5.1.5.1 software is the most stable release that you can run at this time.

You definitely might want to consider pairing down the number of VRRP interfaces (or VLANs) depending on how many you have with only a 8691SF.

Good Luck!

[afootyboy]

Michael

Thanks for the Welcome,
Since the 8x91SF will supports Ver 5.1.5.x when Vlan's and VRRP are pared back (pared back to approx 35 Vlan's)
Is there a beneficial argument for splitting the 8692SF across both chassis as primary blades
and the 8x91SF across both chassis as secondary blades or will a 8692SF primary and 8x91SF not operate correctly

Please discuss

many Thanks

afootyboy

[Dominik]

Hi afootyboy,

I think to split the 8692SF across the two ERS8600 and use the 8691SF as backup card is a good idea.
I would also change the L3 redundancy from VRRP to RSMLT.

Good Luck

[Michael McNamara]

It seems like a good idea but it's completely unsupported and could lead to unforeseen issues. I would probably advise that you keep like CPU/SFs together in the same chassis and instead tune your configuration by

• increase the MAC/FDB aging timers on VLANs
• convert VRRP interfaces to RSMLT
• condense VLANs where possible
• use long hellos and timers on Layer 3 routing protocols

Good Luck!

[Uncle John]

Michael has this dead right.  You cannot mix the 8691SF & 8692SF's in the same chassis.  The 8691SF's only supported stripes (ie. the legacy modules: non-e, e, m)  The 8692SF's support both stripes & lanes (lanes are used on the R & RS modules).  So if you mix the 8691 & 92's in the same chassis with the 92SF as the master and the 92SF fails, the 91SF will become master.  That means that any R/RS module would shut down.

We used to support mixed switch fabrics in the 8690 & 91's for a short period of time, but then we gave that up.

Today both switch fabrics HAVE TO BE IDENTICAL, all the way down to if the SuperMezz is installed, it has to be on both fabrics.

The 8895SF's MUST be at 7.0+
The 8692SF's can run on 7.0+ but they must have the SuperMezz installed & running.

Cheers, Uncle John.

[Dominik]

OK good to know.
I had a location with 8691SF and 8692SF in the same chassis, that worked for a long time without any issues.
So I was very lucky that everything worked fine.

THX @ Uncle John