How do I connect 100BASE-T (iDRAC6) hosts into a Nexus 2232PP via SFP+?

Solution 1:

What we did for a similar situation (HP iLO, not iDRAC) was to have a dedicated switch for such management traffic. Since very little traffic goes to them, that switch got a GigE uplink (or in your case, SFP+), and then connected to the iLO ports. The switch was unmanaged because we put all such links on a single subnet anyway. Worked well for us.

Solution 2:

I'm glad you found my blog helpful and thanks for the plug, petrus.

Whether you go with 2224TP or Cat2960 for your management connection, consider the airflow carefully.

The screwed-up airflow of the catalyst (side intake, rear exhaust) won't cause your environment any problems, but it might get cooked by your servers.

FEXes should be installed with Panduit CDE2 (or equivalent). The Cat2960 should be installed with Panduit CDE1 (or equivalent). Going without these ducts is risky in a typical passive-ly cooled cabinet. See here: http://www.fragmentationneeded.net/2011/03/hot-hot-hot-nexus-fexes.html