HP StorageWorks 8B - FC Entry Switch User manual

user's guide
version 3.0
distributed fabrics
www.hp.com

Notice
© Hewlett-Packard Company, 2001. All rights reserved.
Edition: E1201
Hewlett-Packard Company makes no warranty of any kind with
regard to this material, including, but not limited to, the implied
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Hewlett-Packard shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for
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This document contains proprietary information, which is protected
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Use, duplication, or disclosure by government is subject to
restrictions as set forth in subdivision (c) (1) (ii) of the Rights in
Technical Data and Computer Software Clause at DFARS
252.227.7013.
Warranty
If you have any questions about the warranty for this product,
contact your dealer or local Hewlett-Packard sales representative.
Trademarks
BROCADE, the Brocade B weave logo, Brocade: the Intelligent
Platform for Networking Storage, SilkWorm, and SilkWorm
Express, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Brocade
Communications Systems, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United
States and/or in other countries.
All other brands, product or service namesare or may be trademarks
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Safety notices
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performed only by authorized service-trained personnel.

Distributed Fabrics User’s Guide iii
Contents
Preface About This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
Related Publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
Getting Software Updates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
Chapter 1 Introducing Remote Switch
Chapter 2 Installing Remote Switch
Installing the Remote Switch Using Telnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-1
Installing the Remote Switch Using Web Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
Chapter 3 Using Remote Switch
Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Configuring a Remote Switch Fabric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
Accessing the Switch Using Telnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Chapter 4 Introducing Extended Fabrics
Chapter 5 Installing Extended Fabrics
Installing Extended Fabrics through Telnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
Installing Extended Fabrics using Web Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Chapter 6 Using Extended Fabrics
Supported Configurations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-1
Configuring Extended Fabrics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Setting the Extended Fabric Port Configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Glossary
Index

iv Distributed Fabrics User’s Guide

Distributed Fabrics User’s Guide v
Preface
Remote Switch and Extended Fabrics are licensed options and each product requires a
valid license key to function. Each license is supported for the HP Brocade 2400/2800 and
FC 6164 switches using Fabric OS version a2.4.1 or later, and the HP Surestore FC
1Gb/2Gb Entry Switch 8B, FC 1Gb/2Gb Switch 8B, and FC 1Gb/2Gb Switch 16B using
Fabric OS version 3.0.1b or later.
Remote Switch, in conjunction with a compatible Fibre Channel to asynchronous transfer
mode (ATM) gateway, enables two HP Brocade 2400/2800, FC 6164, FC Entry Switch
8B, FC Switch 8B, or FC 16B fabric switches to be connected over the ATM network
infrastructure. Extended Fabrics allows the use of Fibre Channel technology to create a
fabric interconnected at up to 100 kilometers.
About This Guide
This guide describes the Remote Switch and Distributed Fabrics features and is organized
as follows:
Section I - Remote Switch
Chapter 1
Introducing Remote Switch Provides an overview of Remote Switch.
Chapter 2
Installing Remote Switch Provides instructions for installing a Remote Switch license for customers who purchase the
license.
Chapter 3
Using Remote Switch Provides information for using Remote Switch.
Section II - Extended Fabrics
Chapter 4
Introducing Extended Fabrics Provides an overview of Extended Fabrics.
Chapter 5
Installing Extended Fabrics Provides instructions for installing a Extended Fabrics license for customers who purchase the
license.
Chapter 6
Using Extended Fabrics Provides information for using Remote Switch.

vi Distributed Fabrics User’s Guide
Related Publications
Related product information can be found in the following publications.
Provided with the FC Entry Switch 8B and FC Switch 8B:
•HP Surestore FC 1Gb/2Gb Entry Switch 8B and FC 1Gb/2Gb Switch 8B Getting
Started Guide (A7346-90902)
•HP Surestore FC 1Gb/2Gb Entry Switch 8B and FC 1Gb/2Gb Switch 8B
Documentation CD (A7346-11001)
Provided on the FC Entry Switch 8B and FC Switch 8B Documentation CD, and at the HP
Web site at http://www.hp.com/support/fc8B:
•HP Surestore FC 1Gb/2Gb Entry Switch 8B and FC 1Gb/2Gb Switch 8B Getting
Started Guide (A7346-90902)
•HP Surestore FC 1Gb/2Gb Entry Switch 8B and FC 1Gb/2Gb Switch 8B
Installation and Reference Guide
•Fabric OS Reference Manual, version 3.0
•Fabric OS Procedures Guide, version 3.0
•Fabric OS Version 3.0.1b Release Notes
•Fabric Watch User’s Guide, version 3.0
•QuickLoop User’s Guide, version 3.0
•Web Tools User’s Guide, version 3.0
•Distributed Fabrics User’s Guide, version 3.0
•Zoning User’s Guide, version 3.0
•MIB Reference Manual, version 3.0
•ISL Trunking User’s Guide, version 3.0
•Advanced Performance Monitoring User’s Guide, version 3.0
•Merging Heterogeneous Fabrics Instructions
Provided with the FC 16B:
•HP Surestore FC 1Gb/2Gb Switch 16B Quick Start Guide (A7340-96002)
•HP Surestore FC 1Gb/2Gb Switch 16B Documentation CD (A7340-11001)

Distributed Fabrics User’s Guide vii
Provided on the FC 1Gb/2Gb Switch 16B Documentation CD and at the HP Web site at
http://www.hp.com/support/fc16B:
•HP Surestore FC 1Gb/2Gb Switch 16B Quick Start Guide (A7340-96002)
•HP Surestore FC 1Gb/2Gb Switch 16B Installation and Reference Guide
•Fabric OS Reference Manual, version 3.0
•Fabric OS Procedures Guide, version 3.0
•Fabric OS Version 3.0.1 Release Notes
•Fabric Watch User’s Guide, version 3.0
•QuickLoop User’s Guide, version 3.0
•Web Tools User’s Guide, version 3.0
•Distributed Fabrics User’s Guide, version 3.0
•Zoning User’s Guide, version 3.0
•MIB Reference Manual, version 3.0
•ISL Trunking User’s Guide, version 3.0
•Advanced Performance Monitoring User’s Guide, version 3.0
•Merging Heterogeneous Fabrics Instructions
Information about Fibre Channel standards and Fibre Channel in general can be found on
the Fibre Channel Industry Association Web site, located at http://www.fibrechannel.com.
Getting Help
For information for the FC Entry Switch 8B and FC Switch 8B, visit the HP Web site at
http://www.hp.com/support/fc8B.For the most current technical support information for
the FC 16B, visit the HP Web site at http://www.hp.com/support/fc16B. This includes
hardware and software support, all repairs, and spare components.
Be prepared to provide the following information to the support personnel:
•Switch serial number
•Switch world wide name
•Output from the supportShow telnet command
•Detailed description of the problem
•Topology configuration
•Troubleshooting steps already performed
Getting Software Updates
For information on obtaining software updates contact your HP account representative or
technical support.

viii Distributed Fabrics User’s Guide

Distributed Fabrics User’s Guide 1-1
Chapter
1
Introducing Remote Switch
Remote Switch is an optionally licensed product that runs on HP Brocade 2400/2800 and
FC 6164 switches with Fabric OS version a2.4.1 or later, or on FC Entry Switch 8B, FC
Switch 8B, and FC 16B switches with Fabric OS version 3.0.1b or later.
The Remote Switch feature, in conjunction with a compatible Fibre Channel to
asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) gateway, enables two HP Brocade 2400/2800, FC
6164, FC Entry Switch 8B, FC Switch 8B, or FC 16B fabric switches to be connected over
an ATM connection, with a distance of up to 10 kilometers between each switch and the
respective ATM gateway. The two switches are cascaded together to form a fabric that,
from the viewpoint of the connected hosts and storage devices, interact the same as locally
connected switches. The performance limitations depend only on the type of ATM
connection used. Remote Switch supports a maximum of two switches in a fabric.
Remote Switch provides:
• Any-to-any connectivity
A host connected on the local or remote switch can communicate with storage devices
at either location.
• Coordinated fabric services
The Remote Switch fabric configuration fully supports all fabric services, the same as
a centralized fabric configuration. These services include Distributed Name Services,
Registered State Change Notifications, and Alias Services.
• Distributed management
Access to the management facilities (Web Tools, telnet, and SNMP) is available from
either the local or the remote switch. Interconnect for switch management is routed
through the Fibre Channel connection; no additional network connection is required
between sites.
• Ability to support multiple interswitch links (ISLs)
Sites requiring redundant configurations can connect multiple E_Ports to remote sites
by using multiple gateways. Standard Fabric OS routing facilities automatically
maximize throughput by using the E_Ports to load share traffic during normal
operation, with automatic failover and failback during interruption on the WAN
connection.

1-2 Distributed Fabrics User’s Guide
Introducing Remote Switch
1

Distributed Fabrics User’s Guide 2-1
Chapter
2
Installing Remote Switch
A Remote Switch fabric requires two switches that are HP Brocade 2400/2800 or FC 6164
switches with Fabric OS version a2.4.1 or later, or FC Entry Switch 8B, FC Switch 8B, or
FC 16B switches with Fabric OS version 3.0.1b or later installed, with the switches
configured the same.
Installing a Remote Switch requires the installation of a separate license on each of the
two switches. Licenses may have been installed on the switches at the factory. If not,
contact your switch supplier to obtain a license key.
You can install a Remote Switch license either through telnet or through Web Tools.
Installing the Remote Switch Using Telnet
To install a Remote Switch using Telnet:
1. Log on to the switch by telnet (refer to the Fabric OS Procedures Guide for details),
using an account that has administrative privileges.
2. To determine whether a Remote Switch license is already installed on the switch, type
licenseShow on the telnet command line.
A list displays of all the licenses currently installed on the switch. For example:
admin> licenseShow
cQebzbRdScRfcOiK:
Web license
Zoning license
AybbzQQ9edTzccOX:
Fabric license
If a Remote Switch license is correctly listed the feature is installed and immediately
available. Skip steps [3] and [4].
3. Enter the following on the command line:
licenseAdd “key”
where “key” is the license key provided to you, enclosed in double quotes. The
license key is case-sensitive and must be entered exactly as given. Also, a special
Remote Switch license needs to be installed.
4. Verify the license was added by entering the following on the command line:
licenseShow
If the Remote Switch license is listed, the feature is installed and immediately
available. If the license is not listed, repeat step [3].

2-2 Distributed Fabrics User’s Guide
Installing Remote Switch
2
Installing the Remote Switch Using Web Tools
To install Remote Switch using Webtools:
1. Launch the Web browser.
2. Enter the switch name or IP address in the Location/Address field, and press Enter.
Web Tools launches, displaying the Fabric View.
3. Click the Admin button on the relevant switch panel.
The logon window displays.
4. Enter a logon name and password with administrative privileges and press Enter.
The Administration View displays.
5. Select the License Admin tab.
6. Enter the license key in the License Key: field, and click Add License.
The Remote Switch feature is available as soon as the license key is added.

Brocade Distributed Fabrics User’s Guide 3-1
Chapter
3
Using Remote Switch
You can configure switches for use with Remote Switch through telnet or through Web
Tools. For information about using Web Tools to configure a switch, see the Web Tools
User’s Guide.
This chapter provides the following information:
•Overview on page 3-1
•Configuring a Remote Switch Fabric on page 3-1
•Accessing the Switch Using Telnet on page 3-2
Overview
The Remote Switch feature operates in conjunction with a Fibre Channel to ATM
gateway. The gateway provides both a Fibre Channel physical interface functioning as an
E_Port and an ATM physical interface.
The gateway accepts Fibre Channel frames from one side of a Remote Switch fabric,
transfers them across a WAN using ATM protocol, and passes them to the other side of the
Remote Switch fabric.
In order to transfer frames across a WAN using ATM protocol, the Fibre Channel frames
(from 256 to 2112 bytes) must be broken into smaller pieces (53 byte ATM cells) at the
local end of the ATM network. Once they are broken into smaller pieces, they are
tunnelled inside ATM cells to be transmitted across the ATM network. At the remote end
of the ATM network, these pieces are reassembled back into complete Fibre Channel
frames and transmitted through the remote Fibre Channel interface.
To accomplish this, the gateway provides an E_Port interface that links to the switch
E_Port. Once the link between the two E_Ports is negotiated, the gateway E_Port moves
to pass-through mode and passes Fibre Channel traffic from the switch E_Port to the ATM
network.
Configuring a Remote Switch Fabric
A Remote Switch fabric requires two HP Brocade 2400/2800, FC 6164, FC Entry Switch
8B, FC Switch 8B, or FC 16B switches with identical configurations. A separate extended
fabric license is not required to operate the switch at distances much greater than 100
kilometers. This can be achieved when the switch operates over ATM. Performance is
limited to the ATM link - 1.55 to 155 Mb/s. Other FC-ATM devices such as ADVA
DiskLink do not require a remote switch. The DiskLink does not perform e_port
connections, but rather imports devices from a remote SAN and appears as an n_port
device in the local SAN.

3-2 Brocade Distributed Fabrics User’s Guide
Using Remote Switch
3
In addition to normal switch configuration options, the following parameters must be
configured:
•Timeout values
The Resource Allocation Timeout Value (R_A_TOV) and Error Detect Timeout
Value (E_D_TOV) must be increased, as appropriate, for all switches participating in
the Remote Switch fabric. This provides for the possible increase in transit time
caused by the introduction of WAN links into the fabric. For more information about
timeout values, refer to Fabric OS Reference Manual.
•Data field size
All switches participating in the Remote Switch fabric must have the data field size
configured to a maximum of 2048 bytes to accommodate the maximum field size
supported by the ATM gateway. Data field sizes smaller than 2048 bytes can be set,
but they may cause significant performance degradation.
• Class F frame suppression
All switches participating in the Remote Switch fabric must have the Class F frame
suppression flag set. Class F frames are automatically converted to Class 2 frames.
• BB credit
The setting for BB credit must be the same on both switches.
To set the BB_Credit on a switch that is running with a Remote Fabric license:
1. Use the configure command. This will select the BB_Credit that will be used.
2. Say “Y” to the fabric parameters, and the second option is BB_credit. You may
then set the parameters to any allowed value.
Note: Currently the parameter values are set at 1-16, but the values will soon be changed
to allow any value from1-27. The parameters will thenbecome the BB_Credit that
is offered to all F_Ports, and any E_Ports that are using the Remote Fabric feature.
E_ports that are not remote fabric E_Ports will not be affected.
Note: You must set the sameBB_Credit value to all switches in the fabric. Switches with
a different value will segment.
Accessing the Switch Using Telnet
The telnet command configure is used to set the following:
• R_A_TOV and E_D_TOV values.
• Data field size.
• Class F frame suppression flag.
The switch must be disabled prior to entering the configure command.
Example:
switch:admin> configure
Configure. . .
Fabric parameters (yes, y, no, n): [no] yes

Brocade Distributed Fabrics User’s Guide 3-3
Using Remote Switch 3
Domain: (1. .239) [2]
BB credit: (1. .16) [16]
R_A_TOV: (4000. .120000) [10000]
E_D_TOV: (1000. .5000) [2000]5000
Data field size: (256. .2112) [2112] 2048
Non-SCSI Tachyon Mode: (0. .1) [0]
Disable Device Probing: (0. .1) [0]
Suppress Class F Traffic: (0. .1) [0] 1
In this example, the default value was accepted for R_A_TOV.
Note: The switch must be disabled prior to entering the configure command.

3-4 Brocade Distributed Fabrics User’s Guide
Using Remote Switch
3

Distributed Fabrics User’s Guide 4-1
Chapter
4
Introducing Extended Fabrics
Extended Fabrics uses Fibre Channel technology to create a fabric interconnected at a
distance of up to 100 kilometers. Extended Fabrics can increase the allowable distance
between two switches or between a switch and an ATM gateway used in a Remote Switch
configuration. It is an optionally licensed product that runs on HP Brocade 2400/2800 and
FC 6164 switches with Fabric OS version a2.4.1or later, or on FC Entry Switch 8B, FC
Switch 8B, and FC 16B switches with Fabric OS version 3.0.1b or later.
Extended Fabrics optimizes the internal buffering algorithm for these switches. It provides
maximum buffering between E_Ports connected over an extended distance through buffer
reconfiguration that results in line speed performance of close to full Fibre Channel speed
for switches interconnected at 100 kilometers, thus providing the highest possible
performance for transfers between switches. The Fibre Channelconnection extensions can
be provided by Extended Distance GBICs, Fibre Channel repeaters, or Wave Division
Multiplexing (WDM) devices.
Note: Performance may vary depending on the condition of the fiber optic
connections between the switches. Losses due to splicing, connectors,
tight bends, and other degradation canaffect the performanceover thelink
and the maximum distance possible.
To enable Extended Fabrics, an Extended Fabrics license has to be installed. If a fabric is
created with FC Entry Switch 8B, FC Switch 8B, or FC 16B switches, the long distance
extended fabric configuration has to be set only for the edge ports of the long distance
link. The edge port connector switch automatically works with the rest of the switches in
the fabric. There is no need for any fabric wide configuration change.
Note: To enable Extended Fabrics in a fabric created with HP Brocade 2400/2800 or
FC 6164 switches, each switch in the fabric must be configured individually.

4-2 Distributed Fabrics User’s Guide
Introducing Extended Fabrics
4

Distributed Fabrics User’s Guide 5-1
Chapter
5
Installing Extended Fabrics
The installation of Extended Fabrics involves the installation of a license on each switch
in the fabric. A license may have been installed in the switch at the factory. If not, contact
your switch supplier to obtain a license key.
Extended Fabrics licenses are installed using either telnet commands or Web Tools.
Installing Extended Fabrics through Telnet
To install Extended Fabrics using telnet:
1. Log on to the switch by telnet (refer to the Fabric OS Procedures Guide for details),
using an account that has administrative privileges.
2. To determine whether a Extended Fabrics license is already installed on the switch,
type licenseShow on the telnet command line.
A list displays of all the licenses currently installed on the switch. For example:
admin> licenseShow
1A1AaAaaaAAAA1a:
Web license
1AAAaAaaaAAAA1a:
Zoning license
1ABAaAaaaAAAA1a:
QuickLoop licens
1ACAaAaaaAAAA1a:
Fabric license
1ADAaAaaaAAAA1a:
Fabric Watch license
If an Extended Fabrics license is not included in the list, or is incorrect, continue with
step [3]. If an Extended Fabrics license is correctly listed, the feature is installed and
immediately available. Skip steps [3] and [4].
3. Enter the following on the command line:
licenseAdd “key”
where “key” is the license key provided to you, enclosed in double quotes. The
license key is case-sensitive and must be entered exactly as given.
4. Verify that the license was added by entering the following on the command line:
licenseShow
If the Extended Fabrics license is listed, the feature is installed and immediately
available. If the license is not listed, repeat step [3].

5-2 Distributed Fabrics User’s Guide
Installing Extended Fabrics
5
Installing Extended Fabrics using Web Tools
To install Extended Fabrics using Web Tools:
1. Launch the Web browser.
2. Enter the switch name or IP address in the Location/Address field, and press Enter.
Web Tools launches, displaying the Fabric View.
3. Click the Admin button on the relevant switch panel.
The logon window displays.
4. Enter a logon name and password with administrative privileges and press Enter.
The Administration View displays.
5. Select the License Admin tab.
6. Enter the license key in the License Key: field, and click Add License.
The Extended Fabrics feature is available as soon as the license key is added.