Getting Started with Mellanox Switches: First Configuration

Mellanox (now NVIDIA) switches run a different management model than classic enterprise gear, and the first hours with an SX1710 or SN2000 can trip up even experienced engineers — starting with the three MAC addresses printed on the label and the wizard-driven initial setup. This beginner guide, based on NVIDIA's official 'HowTo Get Started' article, takes you from console connection through the configuration wizard, DHCP on the management port, SSH access, and the first show commands. The examples use the SX1710 but the flow transfers to any Mellanox Ethernet or InfiniBand switch.

1. Connect to the Console

Connect the console port to a COM port (SX1710 baud rate: 115200). Default credentials are admin/admin.

2. Run the First Configuration Wizard

Mellanox configuration wizard
Do you want to use the wizard for initial configuration? y
Step 1: Hostname? [switch-5fa5a0] my-switch-hostname
Step 2: Use DHCP on mgmt0 interface? [yes]
Step 3: Enable IPv6? [yes] no
Step 4: Admin password (Enter to leave unchanged)?

3. Map MGT1 MAC to the DHCP Server

The label on the switch shows three MAC addresses — use the one labeled MGT1. Reserve a static DHCP lease for that MAC so the management IP is predictable.

4. Connect MGT1 and Verify

Plug MGT1 into the management network; the switch obtains its IP via DHCP. Then SSH in:

# ssh admin@10.20.2.54
my-switch-hostname > enable
my-switch-hostname # configure terminal

Check that the admin port and link are up, and confirm the assigned IP and MAC before proceeding.

5. Next Steps

• Set a static IP instead of DHCP: configure the mgmt0 interface manually and no shutdown.
• Configure SNMP, NTP and syslog for monitoring.
• Review the hardware user manual for your platform's LED and port conventions.

For configuration management and installation topics, see NVIDIA MLNX-OS configuration management and the ONIE/Onyx install guide. For link problems on split ports, read our breakout cable troubleshooting guide.

原文链接：https://enterprise-support.nvidia.com/s/article/howto-get-started-with-mellanox-switches