102 BigIron RX Installation Guide53-1001811-01Configuring IP addresses4Configuring IP addressesThe BigIron RX Series switches implement separate data and control planes. This architectureaffects how you assign IP addresses. Table 14 outlines the interfaces to which you can assign IPaddresses.In this table, “in band” refers to an interface over which user packets are routed, while “out ofband” refers to an interface over which control packets related to system management areforwarded.This section describes the following:• BigIron RX Series support of sub-net masks• How to assign an IP address to a management interface• How to assign an IP address to an interface or virtual interface over which user packets areroutedSupport of sub-net masksThe BigIron RX Series switch supports both classical IP network masks (Class A, B, and C sub-netmasks, and so on) and Classless Interdomain Routing (CIDR) network prefix masks.• To enter a classical network mask, enter the mask in IP address format. For example, enter“209.157.22.99 255.255.255.0” for an IP address with a Class-C sub-net mask.• To enter a prefix number for a network mask, enter a forward slash ( / ) and the number of bitsin the mask immediately after the IP address. For example, enter “209.157.22.99/24” for anIP address that has a network mask with 24 significant (“mask”) bits.Assigning an IP address to a management interfaceInstead of assigning a global IP address to the BigIron RX Series switch for system managementpurposes, you now assign an IP address to the management interface. The IP address is assignedto the active management module port. If the active management module becomes unavailableand the redundant module becomes the active module, the IP address is assigned to the newactive management module port.TABLE 14 Assigning IP addressesInterface Associated physical port Out of band orin bandManagement interface Ethernet 10/100/1000 port on active orredundant management moduleOut of bandAny interface over which user packetsare routedAny interface module port In bandAny virtual interface over which userpackets are routedAny interface port In bandLoopback interface – In band
