Mellanox

This guide covers Mellanox Ethernet and InfiniBand switches running MLNX-OS and legacy Voltaire switches.

MLNX-OS

MLNX-OS runs on Mellanox SN- and SX-series Ethernet switches and IB-series InfiniBand switches.

Create a backup account. Create a dedicated local user — for example netwatch-backup — in the CLI or the web management interface. MLNX-OS provides role-based accounts; a monitor (read-only) role can log in and run show commands, but displaying the full running configuration requires privileged (enable) mode, so in practice assign the admin role or provide the enable credentials along with the account.

Enable SSH. The SSH server is enabled by default on MLNX-OS; verify you can log in from the Netwatch collector. If you use the platform's management interface ACLs or an upstream firewall, permit SSH from the collector's IP address only.

Platform notes. QUARK enters privileged mode automatically when the enable password is supplied with the device credentials. Configuration retrieval is read-only; no configuration mode access is used.

Voltaire

Voltaire is the legacy management software on Voltaire-branded InfiniBand switches acquired by Mellanox.

Create a backup account. Create a dedicated administrator in the switch's management interface. These platforms predate fine-grained role separation, so the account typically needs full administrative access to display the complete configuration; QUARK only issues read commands.

Enable SSH. Enable the SSH management service in the switch's management settings and confirm the switch is reachable from the Netwatch collector. Voltaire switches offer little management ACL support, so restrict access with an upstream firewall or a dedicated management VLAN.

Platform notes. These are end-of-life devices; old firmware may negotiate only legacy SSH algorithms. The Netwatch collector accepts legacy algorithms for such devices, but keep them on an isolated management network.

Enable backup in Netwatch

Once the device is prepared, open its host in Netwatch (Data collection > Hosts) and add the Config Backup macros — the supported status flag, the model code for this platform, and the credentials you created. See Getting started for the full macro list and values.