Install the Reference Configuration File (RCF)
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You install the Reference Configuration File (RCF) after setting up the Nexus 9332D-GX2B switch for the first time.
Verify the following installations and connections:
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A console connection to the switch. The console connection is optional if you have remote access to the switch.
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Switch cs1 and switch cs2 are powered up and the initial switch setup is complete (the Management IP address and SSH is setup).
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The desired NX-OS version has been installed.
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ISL connections between switches are connected.
Step 1: Install the RCF on the switches
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Login to switch cs1 using SSH or by using a serial console.
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Copy the RCF to the bootflash of switch cs1 using one of the following transfer protocols: FTP, TFTP, SFTP, or SCP.
For more information on Cisco commands, see the appropriate guide in the Cisco Nexus 9000 Series NX-OS Command Reference guides.
Show example
This example shows TFTP being used to copy an RCF to the bootflash on switch cs1:
cs1# copy tftp: bootflash: vrf management Enter source filename: NX9332D-GX2B-RCF-v10.0-Shared.txt Enter hostname for the tftp server: 172.22.201.50 Trying to connect to tftp server......Connection to Server Established. TFTP get operation was successful Copy complete, now saving to disk (please wait)...
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Apply the RCF previously downloaded to the bootflash.
For more information on Cisco commands, see the appropriate guide in the Cisco Nexus 9000 Series NX-OS Command Reference guides.
This example shows the RCF file
NX9332D-GX2B-RCF-v10.0-Shared.txtbeing installed on switch cs1:cs1# copy NX9332D-GX2B-RCF-v10.0-Shared.txt running-config echo-commands
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Examine the banner output from the
show banner motdcommand. You must read and follow these instructions to ensure the proper configuration and operation of the switch.Show example
cs1# show banner motd ****************************************************************************** * NetApp Reference Configuration File (RCF) * * Switch : NX9332D-GX2B * Filename : NX9332D-GX2B-RCF-v10.0-Shared.txt * Date : 05-09-2025 * Version : v10.0 * Port Usage: * Ports 1-30: 100GbE Intra-Cluster/HA/Storage Ports, int e1/{1-30}/1-4 * Ports 31-32: Intra-Cluster ISL Ports, int e1/31-32 * * IMPORTANT NOTES * Interface port-channel999 is reserved to identify the version of this file. ****************************************************************************** -
Verify that the RCF file is the correct newer version:
show running-configWhen you check the output to verify you have the correct RCF, make sure that the following information is correct:
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The RCF banner
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The node and port settings
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Customizations
The output varies according to your site configuration. Check the port settings and refer to the release notes for any changes specific to the RCF that you have installed.
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Save basic configuration details to the
write_erase.cfgfile on the bootflash.
Make sure to configure the following:
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Username and password
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Management IP address
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Default gateway
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Switch name
cs1# show run | i "username admin password" > bootflash:write_erase.cfgcs1# show run | section "vrf context management" >> bootflash:write_erase.cfgcs1# show run | section "interface mgmt0" >> bootflash:write_erase.cfgcs1# show run | section "switchname" >> bootflash:write_erase.cfgcs1# echo "hardware access-list tcam region ing-racl 1024" >> bootflash:write_erase.cfgcs1# echo "hardware access-list tcam region egr-racl 1024" >> bootflash:write_erase.cfgcs1# echo "hardware access-list tcam region ing-l2-qos 1536" >> bootflash:write_erase.cfgSee the Knowledge Base article How to clear configuration on a Cisco interconnect switch while retaining remote connectivity for further details.
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Verify that the
write_erase.cfgfile is populated as expected:show file bootflash:write_erase.cfg -
Issue the
write erasecommand to erase the current saved configuration:cs1# write eraseWarning: This command will erase the startup-configuration.Do you wish to proceed anyway? (y/n) [n] y -
Copy the previously saved basic configuration into the startup configuration.
cs1# copy bootflash:write_erase.cfg startup-config -
Reboot the switch:
cs1# reloadThis command will reboot the system. (y/n)? [n] y -
Repeat steps 1 through 10 on switch cs2.
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Connect the ports of all nodes in the ONTAP cluster to switches cs1 and cs2.
Step 2: Verify the switch connections
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Verify that the switch ports connected to the cluster ports are up:
show interface briefShow example
cs1# show interface brief | grep up . . Eth1/9/3 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- Eth1/9/4 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- Eth1/15/1 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- Eth1/15/2 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- Eth1/15/3 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- Eth1/15/4 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- Eth1/16/1 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- Eth1/16/2 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- Eth1/16/3 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- Eth1/16/4 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- Eth1/17/1 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- Eth1/17/2 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- Eth1/17/3 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- Eth1/17/4 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- . .
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Verify that the cluster nodes are in their correct cluster VLANs using the following commands:
show vlan briefshow interface trunkShow example
cs1# show vlan brief VLAN Name Status Ports ---- -------------------------------- --------- ------------------------------- 1 default active Po1, Po999, Eth1/31, Eth1/32 Eth1/33, Eth1/34, Eth1/1/1 Eth1/1/2, Eth1/1/3, Eth1/1/4 Eth1/2/1, Eth1/2/2, Eth1/2/3 Eth1/2/4, Eth1/3/1, Eth1/3/2 Eth1/3/3, Eth1/3/4, Eth1/4/1 Eth1/4/2, Eth1/4/3, Eth1/4/4 Eth1/5/1, Eth1/5/2, Eth1/5/3 Eth1/5/4, Eth1/6/1, Eth1/6/2 Eth1/6/3, Eth1/6/4, Eth1/7/1 Eth1/7/2, Eth1/7/3, Eth1/7/4 Eth1/8/1, Eth1/8/2, Eth1/8/3 Eth1/8/4, Eth1/9/1, Eth1/9/2 Eth1/9/3, Eth1/9/4, Eth1/10/1 Eth1/10/2, Eth1/10/3, Eth1/10/4 Eth1/11/1, Eth1/11/2, Eth1/11/3 Eth1/11/4, Eth1/12/1, Eth1/12/2 Eth1/12/3, Eth1/12/4, Eth1/13/1 Eth1/13/2, Eth1/13/3, Eth1/13/4 Eth1/14/1, Eth1/14/2, Eth1/14/3 Eth1/14/4, Eth1/15/1, Eth1/15/2 Eth1/15/3, Eth1/15/4, Eth1/16/1 Eth1/16/2, Eth1/16/3, Eth1/16/4 Eth1/17/1, Eth1/17/2, Eth1/17/3 Eth1/17/4, Eth1/18/1, Eth1/18/2 Eth1/18/3, Eth1/18/4, Eth1/19/1 Eth1/19/2, Eth1/19/3, Eth1/19/4 Eth1/20/1, Eth1/20/2, Eth1/20/3 Eth1/20/4, Eth1/21/1, Eth1/21/2 Eth1/21/3, Eth1/21/4, Eth1/22/1 Eth1/22/2, Eth1/22/3, Eth1/22/4 Eth1/23/1, Eth1/23/2, Eth1/23/3 Eth1/23/4, Eth1/24/1, Eth1/24/2 Eth1/24/3, Eth1/24/4, Eth1/25/1 Eth1/25/2, Eth1/25/3, Eth1/25/4 Eth1/26/1, Eth1/26/2, Eth1/26/3 Eth1/26/4, Eth1/27/1, Eth1/27/2 Eth1/27/3, Eth1/27/4, Eth1/28/1 Eth1/28/2, Eth1/28/3, Eth1/28/4 Eth1/29/1, Eth1/29/2, Eth1/29/3 Eth1/29/4, Eth1/30/1, Eth1/30/2 Eth1/30/3, Eth1/30/4 17 VLAN0017 active Eth1/1/1, Eth1/1/2, Eth1/1/3 Eth1/1/4, Eth1/2/1, Eth1/2/2 Eth1/2/3, Eth1/2/4, Eth1/3/1 Eth1/3/2, Eth1/3/3, Eth1/3/4 Eth1/4/1, Eth1/4/2, Eth1/4/3 Eth1/4/4, Eth1/5/1, Eth1/5/2 Eth1/5/3, Eth1/5/4, Eth1/6/1 Eth1/6/2, Eth1/6/3, Eth1/6/4 Eth1/7/1, Eth1/7/2, Eth1/7/3 Eth1/7/4, Eth1/8/1, Eth1/8/2 Eth1/8/3, Eth1/8/4, Eth1/9/1 Eth1/9/2, Eth1/9/3, Eth1/9/4 Eth1/10/1, Eth1/10/2, Eth1/10/3 Eth1/10/4, Eth1/11/1, Eth1/11/2 Eth1/11/3, Eth1/11/4, Eth1/12/1 Eth1/12/2, Eth1/12/3, Eth1/12/4 Eth1/13/1, Eth1/13/2, Eth1/13/3 Eth1/13/4, Eth1/14/1, Eth1/14/2 Eth1/14/3, Eth1/14/4, Eth1/15/1 Eth1/15/2, Eth1/15/3, Eth1/15/4 Eth1/16/1, Eth1/16/2, Eth1/16/3 Eth1/16/4, Eth1/17/1, Eth1/17/2 Eth1/17/3, Eth1/17/4, Eth1/18/1 Eth1/18/2, Eth1/18/3, Eth1/18/4 Eth1/19/1, Eth1/19/2, Eth1/19/3 Eth1/19/4, Eth1/20/1, Eth1/20/2 Eth1/20/3, Eth1/20/4, Eth1/21/1 Eth1/21/2, Eth1/21/3, Eth1/21/4 Eth1/22/1, Eth1/22/2, Eth1/22/3 Eth1/22/4, Eth1/23/1, Eth1/23/2 Eth1/23/3, Eth1/23/4, Eth1/24/1 Eth1/24/2, Eth1/24/3, Eth1/24/4 Eth1/25/1, Eth1/25/2, Eth1/25/3 Eth1/25/4, Eth1/26/1, Eth1/26/2 Eth1/26/3, Eth1/26/4, Eth1/27/1 Eth1/27/2, Eth1/27/3, Eth1/27/4 Eth1/28/1, Eth1/28/2, Eth1/28/3 Eth1/28/4, Eth1/29/1, Eth1/29/2 Eth1/29/3, Eth1/29/4, Eth1/30/1 Eth1/30/2, Eth1/30/3, Eth1/30/4 18 VLAN0018 active Eth1/1/1, Eth1/1/2, Eth1/1/3 Eth1/1/4, Eth1/2/1, Eth1/2/2 Eth1/2/3, Eth1/2/4, Eth1/3/1 Eth1/3/2, Eth1/3/3, Eth1/3/4 Eth1/4/1, Eth1/4/2, Eth1/4/3 Eth1/4/4, Eth1/5/1, Eth1/5/2 Eth1/5/3, Eth1/5/4, Eth1/6/1 Eth1/6/2, Eth1/6/3, Eth1/6/4 Eth1/7/1, Eth1/7/2, Eth1/7/3 Eth1/7/4, Eth1/8/1, Eth1/8/2 Eth1/8/3, Eth1/8/4, Eth1/9/1 Eth1/9/2, Eth1/9/3, Eth1/9/4 Eth1/10/1, Eth1/10/2, Eth1/10/3 Eth1/10/4, Eth1/11/1, Eth1/11/2 Eth1/11/3, Eth1/11/4, Eth1/12/1 Eth1/12/2, Eth1/12/3, Eth1/12/4 Eth1/13/1, Eth1/13/2, Eth1/13/3 Eth1/13/4, Eth1/14/1, Eth1/14/2 Eth1/14/3, Eth1/14/4, Eth1/15/1 Eth1/15/2, Eth1/15/3, Eth1/15/4 Eth1/16/1, Eth1/16/2, Eth1/16/3 Eth1/16/4, Eth1/17/1, Eth1/17/2 Eth1/17/3, Eth1/17/4, Eth1/18/1 Eth1/18/2, Eth1/18/3, Eth1/18/4 Eth1/19/1, Eth1/19/2, Eth1/19/3 Eth1/19/4, Eth1/20/1, Eth1/20/2 Eth1/20/3, Eth1/20/4, Eth1/21/1 Eth1/21/2, Eth1/21/3, Eth1/21/4 Eth1/22/1, Eth1/22/2, Eth1/22/3 Eth1/22/4, Eth1/23/1, Eth1/23/2 Eth1/23/3, Eth1/23/4, Eth1/24/1 Eth1/24/2, Eth1/24/3, Eth1/24/4 Eth1/25/1, Eth1/25/2, Eth1/25/3 Eth1/25/4, Eth1/26/1, Eth1/26/2 Eth1/26/3, Eth1/26/4, Eth1/27/1 Eth1/27/2, Eth1/27/3, Eth1/27/4 Eth1/28/1, Eth1/28/2, Eth1/28/3 Eth1/28/4, Eth1/29/1, Eth1/29/2 Eth1/29/3, Eth1/29/4, Eth1/30/1 Eth1/30/2, Eth1/30/3, Eth1/30/4 30 VLAN0030 active Eth1/1/1, Eth1/1/2, Eth1/1/3 Eth1/1/4, Eth1/2/1, Eth1/2/2 Eth1/2/3, Eth1/2/4, Eth1/3/1 Eth1/3/2, Eth1/3/3, Eth1/3/4 Eth1/4/1, Eth1/4/2, Eth1/4/3 Eth1/4/4, Eth1/5/1, Eth1/5/2 Eth1/5/3, Eth1/5/4, Eth1/6/1 Eth1/6/2, Eth1/6/3, Eth1/6/4 Eth1/7/1, Eth1/7/2, Eth1/7/3 Eth1/7/4, Eth1/8/1, Eth1/8/2 Eth1/8/3, Eth1/8/4, Eth1/9/1 Eth1/9/2, Eth1/9/3, Eth1/9/4 Eth1/10/1, Eth1/10/2, Eth1/10/3 Eth1/10/4, Eth1/11/1, Eth1/11/2 Eth1/11/3, Eth1/11/4, Eth1/12/1 Eth1/12/2, Eth1/12/3, Eth1/12/4 Eth1/13/1, Eth1/13/2, Eth1/13/3 Eth1/13/4, Eth1/14/1, Eth1/14/2 Eth1/14/3, Eth1/14/4, Eth1/15/1 Eth1/15/2, Eth1/15/3, Eth1/15/4 Eth1/16/1, Eth1/16/2, Eth1/16/3 Eth1/16/4, Eth1/17/1, Eth1/17/2 Eth1/17/3, Eth1/17/4, Eth1/18/1 Eth1/18/2, Eth1/18/3, Eth1/18/4 Eth1/19/1, Eth1/19/2, Eth1/19/3 Eth1/19/4, Eth1/20/1, Eth1/20/2 Eth1/20/3, Eth1/20/4, Eth1/21/1 Eth1/21/2, Eth1/21/3, Eth1/21/4 Eth1/22/1, Eth1/22/2, Eth1/22/3 Eth1/22/4, Eth1/23/1, Eth1/23/2 Eth1/23/3, Eth1/23/4, Eth1/24/1 Eth1/24/2, Eth1/24/3, Eth1/24/4 Eth1/25/1, Eth1/25/2, Eth1/25/3 Eth1/25/4, Eth1/26/1, Eth1/26/2 Eth1/26/3, Eth1/26/4, Eth1/27/1 Eth1/27/2, Eth1/27/3, Eth1/27/4 Eth1/28/1, Eth1/28/2, Eth1/28/3 Eth1/28/4, Eth1/29/1, Eth1/29/2 Eth1/29/3, Eth1/29/4, Eth1/30/1 Eth1/30/2, Eth1/30/3, Eth1/30/4 40 VLAN0040 active Eth1/1/1, Eth1/1/2, Eth1/1/3 Eth1/1/4, Eth1/2/1, Eth1/2/2 Eth1/2/3, Eth1/2/4, Eth1/3/1 Eth1/3/2, Eth1/3/3, Eth1/3/4 Eth1/4/1, Eth1/4/2, Eth1/4/3 Eth1/4/4, Eth1/5/1, Eth1/5/2 Eth1/5/3, Eth1/5/4, Eth1/6/1 Eth1/6/2, Eth1/6/3, Eth1/6/4 Eth1/7/1, Eth1/7/2, Eth1/7/3 Eth1/7/4, Eth1/8/1, Eth1/8/2 Eth1/8/3, Eth1/8/4, Eth1/9/1 Eth1/9/2, Eth1/9/3, Eth1/9/4 Eth1/10/1, Eth1/10/2, Eth1/10/3 Eth1/10/4, Eth1/11/1, Eth1/11/2 Eth1/11/3, Eth1/11/4, Eth1/12/1 Eth1/12/2, Eth1/12/3, Eth1/12/4 Eth1/13/1, Eth1/13/2, Eth1/13/3 Eth1/13/4, Eth1/14/1, Eth1/14/2 Eth1/14/3, Eth1/14/4, Eth1/15/1 Eth1/15/2, Eth1/15/3, Eth1/15/4 Eth1/16/1, Eth1/16/2, Eth1/16/3 Eth1/16/4, Eth1/17/1, Eth1/17/2 Eth1/17/3, Eth1/17/4, Eth1/18/1 Eth1/18/2, Eth1/18/3, Eth1/18/4 Eth1/19/1, Eth1/19/2, Eth1/19/3 Eth1/19/4, Eth1/20/1, Eth1/20/2 Eth1/20/3, Eth1/20/4, Eth1/21/1 Eth1/21/2, Eth1/21/3, Eth1/21/4 Eth1/22/1, Eth1/22/2, Eth1/22/3 Eth1/22/4, Eth1/23/1, Eth1/23/2 Eth1/23/3, Eth1/23/4, Eth1/24/1 Eth1/24/2, Eth1/24/3, Eth1/24/4 Eth1/25/1, Eth1/25/2, Eth1/25/3 Eth1/25/4, Eth1/26/1, Eth1/26/2 Eth1/26/3, Eth1/26/4, Eth1/27/1 Eth1/27/2, Eth1/27/3, Eth1/27/4 Eth1/28/1, Eth1/28/2, Eth1/28/3 Eth1/28/4, Eth1/29/1, Eth1/29/2 Eth1/29/3, Eth1/29/4, Eth1/30/1 Eth1/30/2, Eth1/30/3, Eth1/30/4 cs1# show interface trunk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Port Native Status Port Vlan Channel -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eth1/1/1 1 trunking -- Eth1/1/2 1 trunking -- Eth1/1/3 1 trunking -- Eth1/1/4 1 trunking -- Eth1/2/1 1 trunking -- Eth1/2/2 1 trunking -- Eth1/2/3 1 trunking -- Eth1/2/4 1 trunking -- . . . Eth1/30/1 none Eth1/30/2 none Eth1/30/3 none Eth1/30/4 none Eth1/31 none Eth1/32 none Po1 1
For specific port and VLAN usage details, refer to the banner and important notes section in your RCF. -
Verify that the ISL between cs1 and cs2 is functional:
show port-channel summaryShow example
cs1# show port-channel summary Flags: D - Down P - Up in port-channel (members) I - Individual H - Hot-standby (LACP only) s - Suspended r - Module-removed b - BFD Session Wait S - Switched R - Routed U - Up (port-channel) p - Up in delay-lacp mode (member) M - Not in use. Min-links not met -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Group Port- Type Protocol Member Ports Channel -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Po1(SU) Eth LACP Eth1/31(P) Eth1/32(P) 999 Po999(SD) Eth NONE -- cs1#
Step 3: Set up your ONTAP cluster
NetApp recommends that you use System Manager to set up new clusters.
System Manager provides a simple and easy workflow for cluster set up and configuration including assigning a node management IP address, initializing the cluster, creating a local tier, configuring protocols and provisioning initial storage.
Go to Configure ONTAP on a new cluster with System Manager for setup instructions.
After you've installed the RCF, you verify the SSH configuration.