Hp J4XXX Managed Switches

Resetting, Updating, and Testing Hp J4XXX Managed Switches

1. Prepare the Connection Machine

• Collect a QC'd desktop computer from the wire shelves on the Northeast corner of the build room. Make sure that it has a 9 pin serial port, through which the connection to the Hp switch will be made.
• Connect keyboard, mouse, serial cable to Hp switch, network cable from the Free Geek network;
• Enter into the BIOS of the machine and ensure that PXE booting is enabled and that it appears in the boot sequence
• Once the computer has completed the PXE boot process, on the main image selection screen, choose, "liveboot" followed by "freegeek live"
• Once the computer has booted into the Free Geek Xubuntu desktop environment, open a terminal and type the following command: sudo apt-get install screen This will install the screen program which will be used to graphically represent the connection to the Hp switch that is connected via the serial port.

2. Powering on and testing the Hp Switch

• Plug in BOTH power cables in the back of the Hp switch.
• Once the Hp switch has completed its self test, all the lights on the left side should be lit up steady green. If any of the lights along the left side are blinking, then there is a problem. Each light on the left has signifying code that indicates which aspect of the Hp switch is functional or not.
• Faults
  • Port Modules - If any of the lights corresponding to the port modules are blinking, then that module must be replaced, which can be done with the switch running.
    • Loosen the top and bottom screws on the module;
    • Gently rock it up and down until it loosens from the PCI slot into which it is connected inside the housing. Remove the faulty module.
    • Insert an alternative port module, tighten the 2 screws and verify that the light is no longer blinking.
  • Fan - The Hp switch has a series of 3 fans that cool the power supplies. If any of these fans is not operating correctly, the fan light, located at the bottom of the light bank will be flashing and the fan housing needs to be replaced. Unless other fan housings are not available, due to the nature of its installation, it is not really feasible to change individual fans within the housing.
    • Remove the main port module (a) and the module immediately to its right (b).
    • Reach in to the switch housing through the opening that has been created by the removal of the 2 modules, and release the fan power cable by gently rocking the plug back and forth until it separates from the controller card.
    • Turn the switch around and loosen the four retaining screws on each of the power supplies on the back of the Hp switch.
    • Using the provided hand slots, gently pull out each of the power supplies and set them aside.
    • Loosen each of the 2 retaining screws that are on each side of the fan housing and let it gently let it come down. Holding the top of the fan unit lift it up so that it clears the slim grooves in which it rests. Grab the power cable from the back and remove the fan housing.
  • If any of the lights on the port modules are lit up after the self test, chances are that the controller card is faulty and the unit will need to be recycled. Remove port modules, power supplies, and fan unit and take the switch to the back for recycling.

3. Connecting the Switch to the Computer

• If you have not already done so, connect the serial cable from the front serial port on the switch to the rear serial port on the computer. Unplug the switch and then plug it back in.
• Once the self test on the switch has completed, open a terminal on the computer and type in the following command, screen /dev/ttys0 then hit "enter"
• The terminal window should go blank - after which, press enter two more times in rapid succession. This should initiate the connection and the message, "Connected at 9600 Baud" should appear.

4. Resetting the Switch

• Reset the switch to factory settings by approaching it physically with two small, pointed implements such as straightened paperclips. Simultaneously depress the small, recessed buttons labeled, “Reset" and “Clear".
• Release the Reset button, holding Clear only until the Self Test LED begins to blink. Release the Clear button. The switch will reboot with factory default settings.

5. Updating Firmware (C09.30)

• Check to see if the switch has an IP address. On the main management window select (2) then hit enter. Then select (1) IP configuration. See the Figure 2 for an illustration for the correct settings.
• Return to the main menu and select (7) "Download OS" and press "Enter". Fill out the Server address and File Name according to the information found in Figure 3.
• Press "Enter" to arrive at the bottom menu items and then move over to select eXecute, then press "Enter". The download should commence immediately.
• Once the download has completed the switch will restart and it will be ready for the ping test.
• Repeat the IP address step and take note of the IP address assigned to the Hp switch.

6. Port Testing with the ping command

• Remove the network cable from the computer that is connected to the free geek network and plug in a free cable from the computer to the Hp switch.
• Leave the terminal window open that is showing the IP address of the Hp switch and open another instance of the terminal window.
• In the terminal window type in the following command: sudo ping -c 5000 -f 192.168.2.xxx (IP address of the switch)
• The computer will flood 5000 packets to the IP address of the switch and will note how many were sent and received. If there is 0% percent loss, then;
• Remove the end of the network cable that is plugged into the switch and put in the next port on the switch - Repeat previous step for each of the 64 ports on the switch.