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PowerConnect B-DCX-4S Backbone Hardware Reference Manual
53-1001808-01
Hardware components
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Universal ports that self-configure as E_Ports, F_Ports, FL_Ports, EX_Ports and M_Ports (mirror
ports). 10 Gbps ports (FC10-6 blade) are E_Ports only.
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Data cryptographic (encryption/decryption) and data compression capabilities through the
Brocade FS8-18 Encryption Blade.
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Fibre Channel over IP (FCIP) functionality through the FX8-24 blade.
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Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) capability through the FCOE10-24 blade.
Hardware components
The PowerConnect B-DCX-4S features a modular and scalable mechanical construction that allows
a wide range of flexibility in installation, fabric design, and maintenance. The chassis may be
mounted with the cables facing the front of the equipment rack or to the rear, and consists of the
following:
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Up to four hot-swappable port blade assemblies that can be configured in a single chassis,
delivering up to 192 Fibre Channel ports.
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Two slots for control processor blades (CP8):
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A single active CP8 blade can control all 192 ports in the chassis.
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The standby CP8 blade assumes control of the PowerConnect B-DCX-4S if the active CP
fails.
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Two slots for core switch blades (CR4S-8):
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CR4S-8 blade interconnects all port blades.
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Two inter-chassis link (ICL) connectors per blade connect to another chassis.
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Both CR4S-8 blades are active.
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Modular hot-swappable port blades:
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16-port, 8-Gbps blades (FC8-16).
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32-port, 8-Gbps blades (FC8-32).
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48-port, 8-Gbps blades (FC8-48).
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6-port, 10-Gbps blades (FC10-6).
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Modular hot-swappable application blades:
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FA4-18: 18-port (16 FC + 2 10/100/1000 BaseT Ethernet copper interfaces), up to 4
blades per chassis, supporting Fibre Channel Application Services and blade
management.
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FR4-18i: 18-port (16 FC + 2 GbE), up to 4 blades per chassis, supporting Fibre Channel
Routing Services and FCIP.
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FX8-24: 24-port (12 FC, 10 GbE, 2 10GbE) FCIP extension blade enabling long distance
communication over existing IP infrastructure.
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FCOE10-24: 24-port (24 10GbE) CEE-based FCoE blade enabling enhanced connectiveity
using existing Ethernet infrastructure.
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Modular hot-swappable encryption blades:
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FS8-18: 16-port, up to 4 blades per chassis, supporting data cryptographic
(encryption/decryption) and data-compression capabilities.