Dell PowerConnect Switch

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

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

Requirements

Make sure the switches can be accessed via SSH.

Role Variables

dell_powerconnect_switch_provider contains the authentication details for the switch, similar to what you'd use in the provider argument for the dellos modules. It should include:

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

dell_powerconnect_switch_config is a list of configuration commands to apply to the switch, which is empty by default.

dell_powerconnect_switch_interface_config holds configurations for specific interfaces. It maps switch interface names to their configuration information. Each configuration can include:

• description: a description for the interface.
• name: the name for the VLAN interface, if you're setting up a VLAN.
• config: a list of commands for that specific interface.

dell_powerconnect_switch_write_memory is a flag that, when true, will save the current configuration to the startup file. This ensures the settings remain after a restart or power loss. By default, this is set to false.

dell_powerconnect_switch_write_command is the command used when dell_powerconnect_switch_write_memory is true. The default command is "write memory".

Dependencies

None

Example Playbook

This playbook sets up hosts in the dell-powerconnect-switches group. It assumes each switch has variables for hostnames, usernames, and passwords. It applies a global configuration for LLDP, enables two 10G Ethernet interfaces for switching, and saves the configuration changes.

---
- name: Ensure Dell PowerConnect switches are configured
  hosts: dell-powerconnect-switches
  gather_facts: no
  roles:
    - role: dell-powerconnect-switch
      dell_powerconnect_switch_write_memory: yes
      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"
        "vlan 1234":
          name: "mytestvlan"
          config:
            - "ip address 192.168.1.254 255.255.255.0"

Author Information

• Mark Goddard (mark@stackhpc.com)