HP StorageWorks 2/32 - SAN Switch Instruction Manual

hp StorageWorks
common software and switch options
version 3.0.x/4.0.x
release notes
Part Number: AV-RTQUA-TE
First Edition (October 2002)
Product Version: V3.0.x/V4.0.x
This document contains last-minute and supplemental information
about your common software and switch options. In the event of
conflicting information between these Release Notes and other
documents contained in this product release, the Release Notes
contents take precedence.
For the latest version of these Release Notes and other product
documentation, visit the StorageWorks website at:
http://www.compaq.com/storage/index.html.

2Common Software and Switch Options Version 3.0.x/4.0.x Release Notes
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Common Software and Switch Options Version 3.0.x/4.0.x Release Notes
First Edition (October 2002)
Part Number: AV-RTQUA-TE

Release Notes Contents
Common Software and Switch Options Version 3.0.x/4.0.x Release Notes 3
Release Notes Contents
These Release Notes cover the following major topics:
• Common Software Descriptions
— “Diagnostics and Error Messages Overview,” page 5
— “Fabric OS Procedures Overview,” page 5
— “Fabric OS Reference Overview,” page 5
— “Web Tools Overview,” page 6
— “Zoning Overview,” page 6
• Switch Options Descriptions and Requirements
— “Advanced Performance Monitoring Overview,” page 7
— “Extended Fabric Overview and Configuration Support,” page 7
— “Fabric Watch Overview and Information,” page 10
— “ISL Trunking Overview and Requirements,” page 10
— “QuickLoop Fabric Assist Overview and Support,” page 12
— “Remote Switch Overview and Limitations,” page 13
NOTE: All of the switch options listed above are either a preconfigured feature or a saleable option,
depending on the product configuration purchased.
Intended Audience
This document is intended for customers who purchased HP StorageWorks SAN or HP
StorageWorks Core switches.
Related Documentation
The common software and switch options documentation includes the following documents:
•HP StorageWorks Advanced Performance Monitoring Version 3.0.x/4.0.x User Guide, part
number AA-RTS4A-TE
•HP StorageWorks Common Software and Switch Options V3.0.x/V4.0.x Release Notes
(this document), part number AV-RTQUA-TE
•HP StorageWorks Diagnostic and System Error Message Version 3.0.x/4.0.x Reference
Guide, part number AA-RS22A-TE

Release Notes Contents
4Common Software and Switch Options Version 3.0.x/4.0.x Release Notes
•HP StorageWorks Extended Fabric Version 3.0.x/4.0.x User Guide,
part number AA-RTSDA-TE
•HP StorageWorks Fabric OS Version 3.0.x/4.0.x Reference Guide,
part number AA-RS24A-TE
•HP StorageWorks Fabric Operating System Procedures Version 3.0.x/4.0.x User Guide,
part number AA-RS23A-TE
•HP StorageWorks Fabric Watch Version 3.0.x/4.0.x User Guide,
part number AA-RTSGA-TE
•HP StorageWorks ISL Trunking Version 3.0.x/4.0.x User Guide,
part number AA-RTSAA-TE
•HP StorageWorks Quickloop Fabric Assist Version 3.0.x User Guide,
part number AA-RTS1A-TE
•HP StorageWorks Remote Switch Version 3.0.x/4.0.x User Guide,
part number AA-RTS7A-TE
•HP StorageWorks SAN Switch 2/32 Version 4.0.x Release Notes,
part number AV-RTT4A-TE
•HP StorageWorks Web Tools Version 3.0.x/4.0.x User Guide,
part number AA-RS25A-TE
•HP StorageWorks Zoning Version 3.0.x/4.0.x User Guide,
part number AA-RS26A-TE
Additional documentation is available via the HP website at: http://www.compaq.com/
storage/saninfrastructure.html

Common Software Descriptions
Common Software and Switch Options Version 3.0.x/4.0.x Release Notes 5
Common Software Descriptions
The descriptions included in this section apply to the software and information that ships with
all HP StorageWorks switches that run Fabric OS. Common software products include:
• Diagnostics and Error Messages Overview
• Fabric OS Procedures Overview
• Fabric OS Reference Overview
• Web Tools Overview
• Zoning Overview
Refer to the HP StorageWorks SAN Switch 2/32 Version 4.0.x Release Notes for late-breaking
information relating to these products.
Diagnostics and Error Messages Overview
The HP StorageWorks Diagnostic and System Error Message Version 3.0.x/4.0.x Reference
Guide supports Fabric OS V3.0.x and Fabric OS V4.0.x, including software error messages
and hardware error messages.
Fabric OS Procedures Overview
The HP StorageWorks Fabric Operating System Procedures Version 3.0.x/4.0.x User Guide
provides operating procedures for HP StorageWorks SAN and HP StorageWorks Core
switches, including:
• Setting the initial configuration
• Basic configuration procedures
• Operating the SAN Core Switch 2/64
• Working with the Management Server
• Diagnostics and Status
Fabric OS Reference Overview
The HP StorageWorks Fabric OS Version 3.0.x/4.0.x Reference Guide provides a detailed
description of the commands in Fabric OS V3.0.x and V4.0.x. This guide also describes the
Fabric OS commands for licensed products and provides a Fabric OS version comparison.

Common Software Descriptions
6Common Software and Switch Options Version 3.0.x/4.0.x Release Notes
Web Tools Overview
Web Tools provides a graphical interface that allows the administrator to monitor and manage
entire fabrics and individual switches and ports from a standard workstation. It is a standard
product that runs on all StorageWorks switches running the V3.0.x or 4.0.x firmware streams.
Web Tools is documented in the HP StorageWorks Web Tools Version 3.0.x/4.0.x User Guide.
Zoning Overview
Advanced Zoning allows partitioning of Storage Area Network (SAN) into logical groupings
of devices that access each other. You can also arrange fabric-connected devices into logical
groups, or zones, over the physical configuration of the fabric.
Zones can be configured dynamically and can vary in size depending on the number of fabric
connected devices. Devices can also belong to more than one zone. Because zone members
can access only other members of the same zone, a device not included in a zone is not
available to members of that zone.
Zoning is documented in the HP StorageWorks Zoning Version 3.0.x/4.0.x User Guide.

Switch Options Descriptions and Requirements
Common Software and Switch Options Version 3.0.x/4.0.x Release Notes 7
Switch Options Descriptions and Requirements
The descriptions and requirements in this section apply to the licensed options in Fabric OS,
including:
• Advanced Performance Monitoring Overview
• Extended Fabric Overview and Configuration Support
• Fabric Watch Overview and Information
• ISL Trunking Overview and Requirements
• QuickLoop Fabric Assist Overview and Support
• Remote Switch Overview and Limitations
NOTE: All of the switch options listed in this section are either a preconfigured feature or a saleable
option, depending on the product configuration purchased.
Advanced Performance Monitoring Overview
Advanced Performance Monitoring is a comprehensive tool for monitoring the performance of
networked storage resources. This tool helps reduce total cost of ownership and
over-provisioning while enabling SAN performance tuning, reporting of service level
agreements, and greater administrator productivity. Advanced Performance Monitoring is an
optionally licensed product and is documented in the HP StorageWorks Advanced
Performance Monitoring Version 3.0.x/4.0.x User Guide.
Extended Fabric Overview and Configuration Support
Extended Fabric uses Fibre Channel technology to create a fabric interconnected at distances
greater than 10 kilometers for 1 Gigabit or 5 kilometers for 2 Gigabit Inter Switch Links.
Extended Fabric is an optionally licensed product that runs on:
• StorageWorks 1 Gigabit SAN switch series with version 2.0.x installed,
• StorageWorks 2 Gigabit SAN switch series with version 3.0.x installed, or
• HP StorageWorks ore Switch 2/64 (Core Switch 2/64) switches with version 4.0.x
installed.
Extended Fabric requires the use of Long Wave GBIC or SFP transceivers to go beyond 500
meters for 1 Gigabit and 300 meters for 2 Gigabit links respectively.

Switch Options Descriptions and Requirements
8Common Software and Switch Options Version 3.0.x/4.0.x Release Notes
The maximum number of 'HOPS' or inter-switch links allowed in a Fabric is seven and only
one of these links can be a very long Extended Link (> 10 kilometers). The maximum distance
for a very long Extended Link 1 Gigabit Link is 100 kilometers. Given these limits the
maximum of 160 kilometers is possible with one 100-kilometer link and six 10-kilometer
links.
Extended Fabric Compatibility Support
HP has three series of switches as listed above; these switches can be divided into two classes
based on the internal ASIC technology used in the switch. The two classes are switches limited
to 1 Gigabit and those that are 2 Gigabit capable.
An extend fabric link can only exist between two switches of the same technology, meaning a
StorageWorks 1 Gigabit SAN series switch can only have an extended fabric link to another
StorageWorks 1 Gigabit SAN series switch. The StorageWorks 2 Gigabit SAN series switch
can only have an extended fabric link to another StorageWorks 2 Gigabit SAN series or a HP
StorageWorks Core Switch 2/64 switch. A StorageWorks 2 Gigabit SAN series or a HP
StorageWorks Core Switch 2/64 switch cannot a have an extended fabric link to a
StorageWorks 1 Gigabit SAN series switch.
PortcfgLongDistance Setting
Extended Fabric optimizes the internal buffering algorithm for StorageWorks switches, which
results in line speed performance of close to full Fibre Channel speed. The
"PortcfgLongDistance" setting is used to configure the port with the appropriate amount of
buffers based on the speed and distance of the extended link. The possible settings are:
• L0: 1 Gigabits links up to 10 kilometers or 2 Gigabit links up to 5 kilometers
No Extended Fabric license required (Also referred to as an "E-Port")
• LE: 2 Gigabit links between 5 and 10 kilometers
No Extended Fabric license required
• L1: Extended Links greater than 10 kilometer but not more than 50 kilometers Extended
Fabric license required
• L2: Extended Links greater than 50 kilometer but not more than 100 kilometers Extended
Fabric license required
These port settings modify the number of Buffer-To-Buffer credits a particular port is allocated
and there are limited numbers of these credits available. Buffer-To-Buffer credits are allocated
to a group of 4 ports or what is referred to as a "Quad". A quad consists of ports 0 through 3, 4
through 7, 8 through 11, 12 through 15 and so on. The following table lists the configuration
limits for a "Quad".

Switch Options Descriptions and Requirements
Common Software and Switch Options Version 3.0.x/4.0.x Release Notes 9
Fabric Long Distance Bit Setting
The Fabric Long Distance Bit needs to be set on all switches in the fabric when any pair of
StorageWorks 1 Gigabit SAN series switches have an extended link greater than 10 kilometers
(PortcfgLongDistance = L1 or L2).
Whenever a pair or pairs of StorageWorks 2 Gigabit SAN series or HP StorageWorks Core
Switch 2/64 switches have a port configured for LE, L1, or L2 then the Fabric Long Distance
Bit must be off.
In other words you cannot have an extended link of greater than 10 kilometers between a pair
of StorageWorks 1 Gigabit SAN series switches and an extended link greater than 5 kilometer
between a pair of StorageWorks 2 Gigabit SAN series or HP StorageWorks Core Switch 2/64
switches in the same fabric.
You can have extended links of up to 10 kilometers (PortcfgLongDistance = L0) between a
pair of StorageWorks 1 Gigabit SAN series switches and any length extended link between a
pairs of StorageWorks 2 Gigabit SAN series or HP StorageWorks Core Switch 2/64 switches
in the same fabric. Likewise you can have an extended link over 10 kilometers between
StorageWorks 1 Gigabit SAN series switches as long as there are no Inter Switch Links greater
than 5 kilometers between a pairs of StorageWorks 2 Gigabit SAN series or HP StorageWorks
Core Switch 2/64 switches in the same fabric.
Speed Port a Port b Port c Port d
1 Gigabit/second L2 L1/L0 Fx/LE X
1 Gigabit/second L2 Fx/LE Fx/LE Fx/LE
1 Gigabit/second L1/L0 L1/L0 L1/L0 L1/L0
1 Gigabit/second Fx/LE Fx/LE Fx/LE Fx/LE
2 Gigabit/second L2 X X X
2 Gigabit/second L1 Fx/L0/LE/L1 X X
2 Gigabit/second L1 L0/LE L0/LE/Fx X
2 Gigabit/second L1 Fx Fx Fx
2 Gigabit/second L0/LE/Fx L0/LE/Fx L0/LE/Fx L0/LE/Fx
Legend: Fx = Fabric port L0, LE, L1, L2 = Inter Switch Links

Switch Options Descriptions and Requirements
10 Common Software and Switch Options Version 3.0.x/4.0.x Release Notes
Fabric Watch Overview and Information
Fabric Watch software monitors the performance and status of StorageWorks SAN switches,
and can alert storage area network (SAN) managers when problems arise. The real-time alerts
from Fabric Watch software help SAN managers solve problems before they become costly
failures. SAN managers can configure Fabric Watch software to monitor any of the following:
• Fabric events (such as topology reconfigurations and zone changes)
• Physical switch conditions (such as fans, power supplies, and temperature)
• Port behavior (such as state changes, errors, and performance)
• SFPs (for switches equipped with SMART SFPs)
Fabric Watch is documented in the HP StorageWorks Fabric Watch Version 3.0.x/4.0.x User
Guide. Fabric Watch default settings can be found at the following HP website:
http://www.compaq.com/storage/saninfrastructure.html
Fabric Watch Profiles
The following Fabric Watch file is supported:
Refer to the HP StorageWorks Fabric Watch Version 3.0.x/4.0.x User Guide for more
information.
Fabric Watch Daemon
During switch startup or reboot, the Fabric Watch daemon is one of the last processes to
become active. Depending on the size of the fabric, Fabric Watch may take several minutes to
complete its start up sequence. Before Fabric Watch is completely active, it cannot monitor
events occurring in the fabric. During this time, the switchstatuspolicyshow
command shows the default settings instead of any custom settings.
ISL Trunking Overview and Requirements
Interswitch Link (ISL) Trunking is an optionally licensed product available on the
StorageWorks 2 Gb SAN switches running Fabric OS V3.0.x, and the StorageWorks SAN
switches and StorageWorks Core switches running Fabric OS V4.0.x. ISL Trunking is
managed using telnet commands or the Advanced Web Tools interface. ISL Trunking
simplifies network design and reduces the cost of storage management by optimizing
bandwidth use and enabling load sharing of traffic at the frame-level.
FW232.TXT 11/13/2002

Switch Options Descriptions and Requirements
Common Software and Switch Options Version 3.0.x/4.0.x Release Notes 11
The ISL Trunking feature connects up to four ISLs, between two switches through an
Expansion Port (E_Port), to merge logically into one link. With ISL Trunking, high speed
links ensure that server-to-storage performance is efficient and shared under heavy network
loads. When using ISL Trunking to aggregate bandwidth of up to four ports, the speed of the
ISLs between switches in a fabric is quadrupled. For example, at 2 Gbps speeds, ISL Trunking
delivers ISL throughput of up to 8 Gbps.
ISL Trunking is documented in the HP StorageWorks ISL Trunking Version 3.0.x/4.0.x User
Guide.
Trunking Requirements
The following sections describe Trunking requirements.
Installation Requirements
There are no installation requirements as ISL Trunking is a built-in component of Fabric OS
v3.0, Fabric OS v4.0, and later releases on all StorageWorks 2 Gbit/sec switches based on third
generation HP ASIC technology. This includes:
• StorageWorks 2 Gb SAN switches
• StorageWorks Core switch
Configuration Requirements
No software configuration is required to invoke ISL Trunking since it is enabled on any E_Port
for which it is supported. To invoke Trunking, plug in ISLs and follow the following
configuration guidelines:
• An ISL trunking license is required for each switch that participates in a trunked
connection.
• ISL trunks must be established in port groups driven by a common ISL Trunking hardware
driver. Trunking hardware drivers are connected to contiguous 4-port groups such as 0-3,
4-7, 8-11, and 12-15.
• ISL trunk groups can be established by using two, three, or four ISLs between
switches--which enables ISLs capable of 4, 6, or 8 Gbit/sec of total throughput.
• Ports must be set to 2 Gbit/sec or auto-negotiate (AN).
You can easily build meshed switch fabrics by connecting trunk groups to any number of
adjacent switches.

Switch Options Descriptions and Requirements
12 Common Software and Switch Options Version 3.0.x/4.0.x Release Notes
Administration Requirements
You can administer ISL Trunking through Web Tools or through Fabric OS CLI.
Cable Length Requirements
The switches exchange a set of Extended Link Service to calibrate the latency of each link
between them. In order to ensure optimal performance, the lengths of the shortest ISL in a
trunk and longest should differ by no more than 30 meters; if they differ by more than 400
meters, they will not be included in the trunk.
Long Distance Trunking
Trunking is not supported with LE, L1, and L2 portcfglongdistance modes. Trunking
is supported for normal E_Ports (referred to as L0 in portcfglongdistance command)
with LWL media up to 5 km at the full speed permitted by the link. With LWL media, the
throughput begins to fall off beyond 5 km, due to normal latency effects.
QuickLoop Fabric Assist Overview and Support
QuickLoop is an optionally licensed product that allows arbitrated loops to be attached to a
fabric. Without modifying their drivers, private storage devices on the arbitrated loops can be
accessed by public or private hosts elsewhere on the fabric.
With the Zoning license that is provided by default, the set of storage devices visible to
specific hosts can be carefully administered. QuickLoop Fabric Assist mode is also enabled,
which allows private hosts on an arbitrated loop port to access any public or private storage
device within the fabric, provided that they are assigned to a Fabric Assist mode zone.
The QuickLoop and Zoning combination allows a private host to fully participate in a Storage
Area Network (SAN).
QuickLoop Fabric Assist is documented in the HP StorageWorks Quickloop Fabric Assist
Version 3.0.x User Guide.
QuickLoop is not Supported on Core Switches
The StorageWorks Core switch and the StorageWorks SAN Switch 2/32 do not support
Quickloop, in either its original hub emulation mode, or its Fabric Assist mode. This means
that direct attachment of private hosts to the StorageWorks Core switch or the StorageWorks
SAN Switch 2/32 is not supported.
NOTE: Fabric or loop targets attached to the StorageWorks Core switch may be included in Fabric
Assist Zones for private hosts attached to other switches in the fabric.

Switch Options Descriptions and Requirements
Common Software and Switch Options Version 3.0.x/4.0.x Release Notes 13
Zoning Licensing
HP provides Zoning as a standard feature on its SAN and Core Fibre Channel switches. This
means that the Zoning license is factory installed on each of these switches. You should ignore
references in the product documentation to installing the Zoning license or to Zoning being an
optionally purchased product.
Remote Switch Overview and Limitations
The Remote Switch fabric functions with the aid of a "bridging device" or network-bridge.
The network-bridge supports both a Fibre Channel physical interface, as well as a secondary
non-Fibre Channel FCIP physical interface.
There are currently the following Remote Switch support limitations:
• The network-bridge supports both a Fibre Channel physical interface, as well as a
secondary non-Fibre Channel IP physical interface.
• Remote Switch is currently supported with the CNT UltraNet Edge Model 1001 (firmware
version 1.4) gateway device.
IMPORTANT: Remote Switch is supported when used with HP StorageWorks Data Replication
Manager (DRM) only.