Install the Reference Configuration File
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You install the Reference Configuration File (RCF) after setting up the Nexus 9336C-FX2 and 9336C-FX2-T storage switches for the first time.
See the Knowledge Base article How to clear configuration on a Cisco interconnect switch while retaining remote connectivity for further information when installing your RCF.
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 s1 and switch s2 are powered up and the initial switch setup is complete (the Management IP address and SSH is set up).
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The desired NX-OS version has been installed.
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ONTAP node storage ports and storage shelf ports are not connected.
Step 1: Install the RCF on the switches
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Log in to switch s2 using SSH or by using a serial console.
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Copy the RCF to the bootflash of switch s2 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.
Show example
This example shows TFTP being used to copy an RCF to the bootflash on switch s2:
s2# copy tftp: bootflash: vrf management Enter source filename: NX9336C-FX2-RCF-v1.13-1-Storage.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.
Show example
This example shows the RCF
NX9336C-FX2-RCF-v1.13-1-Storage.txtbeing installed on switch s2:s2# copy NX9336C-FX2-RCF-v1.13-1-Storage.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 correct configuration and operation of the switch.Show example
s2# show banner motd ********************************************************** * NetApp Reference Configuration File (RCF) * * Switch : NX9336C-FX2 * Filename : NX9336C-FX2-RCF-v1.13-1-Storage.txt * Date : 05-22-2025 * Version : v1.13 * * Port Usage : Storage configuration * Ports 1-36: 100GbE Controller and Shelf Storage Ports * * IMPORTANT NOTES * * Interface port-channel999 is reserved to identify the version of this file. **********************************************************
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Verify that the RCF 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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Record any custom additions between the current
running-configfile and the RCF file in use. -
After you verify that the RCF versions and switch settings are correct, copy the
running-configfile to thestartup-configfile.s2# copy running-config startup-config [########################################] 100% Copy complete
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Reboot switch s2.
s2# reloadThis command will reboot the system. (y/n)? [n] y -
Repeat steps 1 through 8 on switch s1.
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Connect the node storage ports and storage shelf ports of all the nodes in the ONTAP cluster to switches s1 and s2.
Step 2: Verify the switch connections
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Verify that the switch ports are up.
show interface briefShow example
s1# show interface brief | grep up mgmt0 -- up <mgmt ip address> 1000 1500 Eth1/11 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- Eth1/12 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- Eth1/13 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- Eth1/14 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- Eth1/15 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- Eth1/16 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- Eth1/17 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- Eth1/18 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- Eth1/23 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- Eth1/24 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- Eth1/25 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- Eth1/26 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- Eth1/27 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- Eth1/28 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- Eth1/29 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) -- Eth1/30 1 eth trunk up none 100G(D) --
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Verify that the node storage ports and storage shelf ports are in their correct VLANs using the following commands:
show vlan briefshow interface trunkShow example
s1# show vlan brief VLAN Name Status Ports ---- -------------------------------- --------- ------------------------------- 1 default active Po999 30 VLAN0030 active Eth1/1, Eth1/2, Eth1/3, Eth1/4 Eth1/5, Eth1/6, Eth1/7, Eth1/8 Eth1/9, Eth1/10, Eth1/11 Eth1/12, Eth1/13, Eth1/14 Eth1/15, Eth1/16, Eth1/17 Eth1/18, Eth1/19, Eth1/20 Eth1/21, Eth1/22, Eth1/23 Eth1/24, Eth1/25, Eth1/26 Eth1/27, Eth1/28, Eth1/29 Eth1/30, Eth1/31, Eth1/32 Eth1/33, Eth1/34, Eth1/35 Eth1/36 s1# show interface trunk ----------------------------------------------------- Port Native Status Port Vlan Channel ----------------------------------------------------- Eth1/1 1 trunking -- Eth1/2 1 trunking -- Eth1/3 1 trunking -- Eth1/4 1 trunking -- Eth1/5 1 trunking -- Eth1/6 1 trunking -- Eth1/7 1 trunking -- Eth1/8 1 trunking -- Eth1/9 1 trunking -- Eth1/10 1 trunking -- Eth1/11 1 trunking -- Eth1/12 1 trunking -- Eth1/13 1 trunking -- Eth1/14 1 trunking -- Eth1/15 1 trunking -- Eth1/16 1 trunking -- Eth1/17 1 trunking -- Eth1/18 1 trunking -- Eth1/19 1 trunking -- Eth1/20 1 trunking -- Eth1/21 1 trunking -- Eth1/22 1 trunking -- Eth1/23 1 trunking -- Eth1/24 1 trunking -- Eth1/25 1 trunking -- Eth1/26 1 trunking -- Eth1/27 1 trunking -- Eth1/28 1 trunking -- Eth1/29 1 trunking -- Eth1/30 1 trunking -- Eth1/31 1 trunking -- Eth1/32 1 trunking -- Eth1/33 1 trunking -- Eth1/34 1 trunking -- Eth1/35 1 trunking -- Eth1/36 1 trunking -- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Port Vlans Allowed on Trunk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eth1/1 30 Eth1/2 30 Eth1/3 30 Eth1/4 30 Eth1/5 30 Eth1/6 30 Eth1/7 30 Eth1/8 30 Eth1/9 30 Eth1/10 30 Eth1/11 30 Eth1/12 30 Eth1/13 30 Eth1/14 30 Eth1/15 30 Eth1/16 30 Eth1/17 30 Eth1/18 30 Eth1/19 30 Eth1/20 30 Eth1/21 30 Eth1/22 30 Eth1/23 30 Eth1/24 30 Eth1/25 30 Eth1/26 30 Eth1/27 30 Eth1/28 30 Eth1/29 30 Eth1/30 30 Eth1/31 30 Eth1/32 30 Eth1/33 30 Eth1/34 30 Eth1/35 30 Eth1/36 30 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Port Vlans Err-disabled on Trunk -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eth1/1 none Eth1/2 none Eth1/3 none Eth1/4 none Eth1/5 none Eth1/6 none Eth1/7 none Eth1/8 none Eth1/9 none Eth1/10 none Eth1/11 none Eth1/12 none Eth1/13 none Eth1/14 none Eth1/15 none Eth1/16 none Eth1/17 none Eth1/18 none Eth1/19 none Eth1/20 none Eth1/21 none Eth1/22 none Eth1/23 none Eth1/24 none Eth1/25 none Eth1/26 none Eth1/27 none Eth1/28 none Eth1/29 none Eth1/30 none Eth1/31 none Eth1/32 none Eth1/33 none Eth1/34 none Eth1/35 none Eth1/36 none -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Port STP Forwarding -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eth1/1 none Eth1/2 none Eth1/3 none Eth1/4 none Eth1/5 none Eth1/6 none Eth1/7 none Eth1/8 none Eth1/9 none Eth1/10 none Eth1/11 30 Eth1/12 30 Eth1/13 30 Eth1/14 30 Eth1/15 30 Eth1/16 30 Eth1/17 30 Eth1/18 30 Eth1/19 none Eth1/20 none Eth1/21 none Eth1/22 none Eth1/23 30 Eth1/24 30 Eth1/25 30 Eth1/26 30 Eth1/27 30 Eth1/28 30 Eth1/29 30 Eth1/30 30 Eth1/31 none Eth1/32 none Eth1/33 none Eth1/34 none Eth1/35 none Eth1/36 none -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Port Vlans in spanning tree forwarding state and not pruned -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eth1/1 Feature VTP is not enabled none Eth1/2 Feature VTP is not enabled none Eth1/3 Feature VTP is not enabled none Eth1/4 Feature VTP is not enabled none Eth1/5 Feature VTP is not enabled none Eth1/6 Feature VTP is not enabled none Eth1/7 Feature VTP is not enabled none Eth1/8 Feature VTP is not enabled none Eth1/9 Feature VTP is not enabled none Eth1/10 Feature VTP is not enabled none Eth1/11 Feature VTP is not enabled 30 Eth1/12 Feature VTP is not enabled 30 Eth1/13 Feature VTP is not enabled 30 Eth1/14 Feature VTP is not enabled 30 Eth1/15 Feature VTP is not enabled 30 Eth1/16 Feature VTP is not enabled 30 Eth1/17 Feature VTP is not enabled 30 Eth1/18 Feature VTP is not enabled 30 Eth1/19 Feature VTP is not enabled none Eth1/20 Feature VTP is not enabled none Eth1/21 Feature VTP is not enabled none Eth1/22 Feature VTP is not enabled none Eth1/23 Feature VTP is not enabled 30 Eth1/24 Feature VTP is not enabled 30 Eth1/25 Feature VTP is not enabled 30 Eth1/26 Feature VTP is not enabled 30 Eth1/27 Feature VTP is not enabled 30 Eth1/28 Feature VTP is not enabled 30 Eth1/29 Feature VTP is not enabled 30 Eth1/30 Feature VTP is not enabled 30 Eth1/31 Feature VTP is not enabled none Eth1/32 Feature VTP is not enabled none Eth1/33 Feature VTP is not enabled none Eth1/34 Feature VTP is not enabled none Eth1/35 Feature VTP is not enabled none Eth1/36 Feature VTP is not enabled none
For specific port and VLAN usage details, refer to the banner and important notes section in your RCF.
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 setup 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 your RCF, you can verify the SSH configuration