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Supported configuration rules and guidelines
24 Fabric Interoperability: Merging Fabrics Based on C-Series and B-Series Fibre Channel Switches Application Notes
Supported configuration rules and guidelines
The following fabric configuration rules apply when mixing the two fabrics:
■ Switches listed in Table 2 and Table 3 may be used together in a fabric.
■ Only the standards-based interoperability mode, Mode-1, is supported on MDS switches.
■ Use the C-Series Fabric Manager for all zoning administration. This includes creating,
modifying, enabling, and disabling zones in the combined fabric.
■ If you notice longer fabric reconfiguration times, select one of the B-series switches as the
principal switch.
■ If SAN boot is required and the HBA is connected to a B-Series switch, then lock the
switch port as a G-port using the portcfggport command. This prevents the HBA
coming up in loop topology.
■ Cisco NPV mode is supported starting with SAN-OS 3.2(1a).
Note: The NPV mode can be supported with Brocade fabric configured in INTEROP mode
or Native mode. If the MDS9124e NPV is connected to an external fabric comprising of only
Brocade switches, use Brocade Native mode only. If the MDS 9124e NPV is connected to an
external fabric with a mix of Brocade and Cisco switches, then Brocade (and Cisco) switches
need to be set to interopmode 1.
■ Brocade AG mode is supported starting with FOS-OS 5.2.1b.
Note: The AG mode can be supported with Cisco fabric configured in INTEROP mode or
Native mode.
If the AG is connected to an external fabric comprising of only Cisco switches, use
Cisco Native mode only. If the AG is connected to an external fabric with a mix of Cisco and
Brocade switches, then Brocade (and Cisco) switches need to be set to interopmode 1.
Brocade AG interoperability with Cisco is currently only supported with Emulex HBAs (no Qlogic
HBA support)
■ Continuous Access EVA and Continuous Access XP storage systems are supported in a
C-Series and B-Series interoperable heterogeneous switch fabric configurations. See
Table 5 for supported EVA and XP firmware versions.