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QLOGIC SWITCH INTEROPERABILITY GUIDE PAGE 1
V
ERSION 1.0, MARCH 2003
Introduction
The QLogic Switch Interoperability Guide provides the details needed to configure and deploy
multi-vendor switched fabrics. Detailed switch configuration data and step-by-step configuration
procedures are provided to merge QLogic switches into existing Brocade, Cisco, IBM, INRANGE,
McDATA, and Sun Fibre Channel switched fabrics that comply with the second revision of the Fibre
Channel switch standard (FC-SW-2).
FC-SW-2 is an open standard for switch-to-switch communication, allowing end users to choose
best-in-class products with the assurance that these products can be deployed in multi-vendor
storage area networks (SANs). Fibre Channel switches complying with this standard communicate
connectivity and configuration information, path selection, and routing, as well as management
and event services using the same language. FC-SW-2 also provides standardized mechanisms
for SAN management. These applications can configure, manage, and monitor multi-vendor Fibre
Channel SANs from any particular point in the fabric.
QLogic switches, along with switches from Brocade, Cisco, IBM, INRANGE, McDATA, and Sun
can communicate across three specified FC-SW-2 levels, enabling end-users to deploy products
that best suit their needs.
Level 1 addresses switch connectivity and configuration by allowing Fibre Channel switches to
interoperate at the link level and by enabling switches to be configured as part of physical and
logical configurations (such as Zoning). Fabric Zones allow customers to partition their storage
network based on application requirements and to create virtual private SANs within a larger SAN.
Level 2 defines path selection and routing, which create interoperability at the operational level.
The fabric shortest path first (FSPF) selection process, which is a key element of FC-SW-2, allows
paths to be set up between end devices using multi-switch fabrics. This enables customers to
design and implement Fibre Channel configurations based on their individual requirements.
Level 3 specifies management and event services. These services allow Fibre Channel services
to be implemented using a distributed model, increasing availability and scalability throughout the
entire fabric. The Name Server and Management Server allow the physical and logical SAN
topology to be discovered through upper-level SAN management applications, thereby facilitating
resource management and capacity planning. Event services create the means for SAN
administrators to be notified in case of configuration changes, allowing them to take appropriate
action.