Assigning the IP address on a switch module - IBM BladeCenter

Resolving The Problem

Source

RETAIN tip: H201768

Symptom

The user could not ping the QLogic Intelligent 4 GB Pass-Thru Fibre Channel Module inserted into I/O Module Bay 3 on BladeCenter H, Type 8852.

Affected configurations

The system may be any of the following IBM servers:

• BladeCenter H, type 7989, any model
• BladeCenter H, type 8852, any model

This tip is not software specific.

This tip is not option specific.

Solution

When setting up the switch module, use Advanced Management Module (AMM) to enter the initial Internet Protocol (IP) information. The user can then access the switch module through the IP address for further configuration.

Caution: Do not connect devices to the external ports on the switch module until the setup procedures are completed and the configuration matches that of the upstream network.

To assign an IP address to the switch module, perform the following steps:

1. Obtain the static IP address and the default gateway address from the system administrator.
   
   
2. Establish a connection to the AMM, as described in the IBM BladeCenter Advanced Management Module User's Guide. In the login window, enter the User ID and password, and click Log In.
   Note: AMM refers to the switch module as the I/O module.
   
   
3. In the Welcome window, click Continue. The System Status summary pane appears.
   
   
4. In the left side panel, expand I/O Module Tasks and click Admin/Power/Restart.
   
   
5. Go to the I/O Module Advanced Setup area, and from the External ports drop-down list, choose Enabled to enable external ports on the switch module.
   
   
6. Click Save to save the settings.
   
   
7. In the left panel, expand I/O Module Tasks, and click Configuration.
   
   
8. In the I/O Module Configuration area, click on the tab of the bay that corresponds to the location of the I/O module (switch module) that is being configured.
   Note: The switch module can only be installed in Bays 1 through 4.
   You should now see the following information:
   
   

   Current IP Configuration Configuration method: Static IP address: x.xx.xxx.xx (your IP Address) Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0 Gateway address: x.xx.xxx.1 (your Gateway IP address)

   
   To change the IP configuration for this I/O module, fill in the following fields and click "Save". This will save and enable the new IP configuration.
   
   

   New Static IP Configuration Configuration status IP address Subnet mask Gateway address

   
   Note: If you want to be able to access your switch, then you have to have it on the same Subnet mask as your Gateway.
   
   
9. Click "Advanced Options," and scroll down to "Send Ping Requests."
   You can test the internal path between the management module and the I/O module by sending it ping requests. Choose an IP address on which to ping the I/O module, and then click the "Ping I/O Module" button.
   You will get the "Ping Progress" for the I/O Module you have just configured. If configured correctly, then you will get a successful "reply" from the I/O Module.
   Note: The Gateway and AMM should both be on the same Subnet Mask.
   

Additional information

The issue occurs when the Gateway and AMM are on different Subnet Masks.