Dell PowerConnect Switch

This role sets up Dell PowerConnect switches using the expect Ansible module.

It will also install the Python expect package on your local machine.

Requirements

The switches must be set up to allow SSH access.

Role Variables

• dell_powerconnect_switch_provider: This holds the authentication information, similar to the provider argument used in the dellos modules. It should be a dictionary containing:

  • host: the hostname or IP address of the switch.
  • username: the SSH username for accessing the switch.
  • auth_pass: the password for authentication.

• dell_powerconnect_switch_config: A list of configuration lines to apply to the switch. It defaults to an empty list.

• dell_powerconnect_switch_interface_config: This contains configurations for switch interfaces. It's a dictionary that matches interface names to their configurations. Each configuration may include:

  • description: a description for the interface.
  • config: a list of commands for the interface settings.

Dependencies

None

Example Playbook

The following playbook configures switches in the dell-powerconnect-switches group. It expects each switch to have variables for host, username, and passwords. It applies a global configuration for LLDP and enables two 10G Ethernet interfaces as switchports.

---
- name: Ensure Dell PowerConnect switches are configured
  hosts: dell-powerconnect-switches
  gather_facts: no
  roles:
    - role: dell-powerconnect-switch
      dell_powerconnect_switch_provider:
        host: "{{ switch_host }}"
        username: "{{ switch_user }}"
        password: "{{ switch_password }}"
        transport: cli
        authorize: yes
        auth_pass: "{{ switch_auth_pass }}"
      dell_powerconnect_switch_config:
        - "protocol lldp"
        - "advertise dot3-tlv max-frame-size"
        - "advertise management-tlv management-address system-description system-name"
        - "advertise interface-port-desc"
        - "no disable"
        - "exit"
      dell_powerconnect_switch_interface_config:
        Te1/1/1:
          description: server-1
          config:
            - "no shutdown"
            - "switchport"
        Te1/1/2:
          description: server-2
          config:
            - "no shutdown"
            - "switchport"

Author Information

• Pablo Sanchez (pabluski.sanchez@gmail.com) adapted for pct7048p
• Mark Goddard (mark@stackhpc.com)