How do slot-based port numbering and configuration work on my M4300-96X switch?

This article describes how slots and ports are numbered on your M4300-96X switch and how port-based PoE and stacking work in different switch configurations.

Slot-based port numbering

All physical ports on switch model M4300-96X are based on slots. Because this model supports 12 slots and each port card provides eight ports, the port numbering is in the format unit number/slot number/port number.

APM408C, APM408P, and APM408F port cards

For the APM408C, APM408P, and APM408F port cards, the numbering is as follows:

• The unit is the number that is assigned to the switch, either automatically generated and assigned by the system, or manually assigned. The unit range is from 1 to 8.
• The slot is one of 12 slots that this model supports. Therefore, the slot number ranges from 1 to 12.
• Each slot can accommodate one port card, and each port card provides eight ports. Therefore, the port range is from 1 to 8.

For example, the fifth port in the sixth slot of a switch model M4300-96X with a unit number 1 is designated as 1/6/5. Similarly, the very first port on the switch is 1/1/1 and the very last port is 1/12/8.

APM402XL port card

The numbering of the ports on the APM402XL port card is different from the other port cards. You can use a 40G port either with a break-out cable, in which case the single 40G port can support up to four individual 10G ports, or with a connection to another single 40G port.

• Port 1 (the left 40G port on the port card) uses the following numbering:
  • If connected with a break-out cable to four individual 10G ports, the port numbers are 1, 2, 3, and 4.
  • If connected to another single 40G port, the port number is 1. In that situation, only port number 1 is used and port numbers 2, 3, and 4 are not used on the port card.
• Port 2 (the right 40G port on the port card) uses the following numbering:
  • If connected with a break-out cable to four individual 10G ports, the port numbers are 5, 6, 7, and 8.
  • If connected to another single 40G port, the port number is 5. In that situation, only port number 5 is used and port numbers 6, 7, and 8 are not used on the port card.

For example, if a switch with unit number 1 includes an APM402XL port card in slot 9, port 1 on the port card is connected to four individual port cards, and port 2 on the port card is connected to another single 40G port, the port numbering is as follows: 1/9/1, 1/9/2, 1/9/3, 1/9/4, and 1/9/5.

By default, the 40G ports on the APM402XL port card (that is, port 1 and port 5) are active, which means that they are in the attached state, can be detected, and you can use them. The expandable 10G ports on the APM402XL port card (that is, ports 2–4 on the first 40G port and ports 6–8 on the second 40G port) are nonactive, which means that they are in the detached state and you cannot use them. However, you can configure them to be in the attached state so that you can use them. For more information, see one of the following knowledge base articles:

• What CLI commands can I use to view and configure expandable port settings for my APM402XL port card on my M4300-96x switch?
• How do I view and configure expandable port settings for my APM402XL port card on my M4300-96x switch using the web interface?

Slot configuration

By default, the slots of the M4300-96X are configured as empty slots, that is, as slots in which no port cards are installed. None of the slots are preconfigured.

PoE operation and configuration

The PoE feature supports port cards in the slots of switch model M4300-96X:

• When you start switch model M4300-96 with APM408P PoE port cards already installed, the switch initializes these port cards for PoE operation. Any existing configurations for the slots is automatically applied. Therefore, PoE is operational immediately after the switch completes its startup process.
• When you install one or more APM408P PoE port cards while switch model M4300-96 is operating, the switch detects these modules, initializes them, and automatically apples any existing configurations for the slots.
• When you remove one or more APM408P PoE port cards while switch model M4300-96 is operating, the switch detects the absence of these port cards and automatically adjusts the configuration.

Power management enhances PoE functionality through the following features:

• Priority-based dynamic power management
• Automatic power rebalancing to meet the PoE power demand if system power is limited
• Automatic detection of insertion and removal of a power supply unit (PSU) and automatic recalculation of the available power

PoE firmware updates occur on a slot basis (that is, for each APM408P port card).

Stacking

You can configure all ports on switch model M4300-96X as stacking ports. However, a limit of a maximum of 16 active stacking links applies.

The APM402XL port card supports stacking over 40G ports only (that is, over port 1 and port 5 only). When you expands the ports, you cannot use the 10G ports for stacking.

Slot and port numbering on the APM408C, APM408P, and APM408F port cards

For the APM408C, APM408P, and APM408F port cards, the ports in the port cards in the slots are numbered as described in the following table.

Slot and port numbering on the APM402XL port card

The numbering of the ports on the APM402XL port card is different from the other port cards. You can use a 40G port either with a break-out cable, in which case the single 40G port can support up to four individual 10G ports, or with a connection to another single 40G port.

Port 1 (the left 40G port on the port card) uses the following numbering:

• If connected with a break-out cable to four individual 10G ports, the port numbers are 1, 2, 3, and 4.
• If connected to another single 40G port, the port number is 1. In that situation, only port number 1 is used and port numbers 2, 3, and 4 are not used on the port card.

Port 2 (the right 40G port on the port card) uses the following numbering:

• If connected with a break-out cable to four individual 10G ports, the port numbers are 5, 6, 7, and 8.
• If connected to another single 40G port, the port number is 5. In that situation, only port number 5 is used and port numbers 6, 7, and 8 are not used on the port card.

For example, if a switch with unit number 1 includes an APM402XL port card in slot 9, port 1 on the port card is connected to four individual port cards, and port 2 on the port card is connected to another single 40G port, the port numbering is as follows: 1/9/1, 1/9/2, 1/9/3, 1/9/4, and 1/9/5.

For the APM402XL port card, the ports on the port cards in the slots are numbered as described in the following table. (In the interface convention examples in the table, the switch is designated as unit number 1.)

For the APM402XL port card, the ports in the port cards in the slots are numbered as described in the following table.