HP StorageWorks 8/80 HP StorageWorks Fabric OS 6.1.2b release notes (5697-0351 - Page 17

Topic Port Fencing Description The default settings for Port Fencing reflect very low thresholds and may cause fence ports to experience errors. HP recommends increasing these threshold values for use in production environments. Different platforms may require different threshold settings for optimum behavior. When the Port Fencing feature is enabled for ITW or CRC errors, the first set of errors detected on an active link that meet the custom high threshold level set by the user (or the default threshold level) is always ignored to account for expected link transition errors. The port is disabled only upon detection of a second set of errors, that is, the next time the user-set threshold level (or default threshold level) is reached. This prevents a port from being disabled due to normal link transition behaviors. Port Fencing is only supported on E_Port and F_Port classes. Port Fencing is available with the optional Fabric Watch license. Port Mirroring Proper behavior of Port Mirroring requires that the entire frame path contain only 8-Gb ASICs or only 4-Gb ASICs. If a frame path contains a mix of 8-Gb and 4-Gb ASICs, this functionality will not work as intended. Licensing behavior When operating a switch with Fabric OS 6.1.0a or later, some licenses may display as Unknown. this is due to changes in licensing requirements for some features that no longer require a license key. When upgrading an HP 4/256 SAN Director that has the FCIP license installed, the licenseshow output may falsely indicate that Integrated Routing is available. DCFM compatibility Fabric OS 6.1.2b is fully compatible with the Data Center Fabric Manager (DCFM) management software. DCFM is a comprehensive network management application that enables end-to-end management of HP data center fabrics. It is the next generation product that is the successor to existing HP management products, namely HP Fabric Manager (FM) and Enterprise Fabric Connectivity Manager (EFCM). DCFM is available in two versions: DCFM Professional, a complimentary application that is ideally suited for small and medium size businesses that need a light-weight management product to manage their smaller fabrics (one physical fabric at a time, up to 1,000 ports); and DCFM Enterprise, that is designed for enterprise-class customers and showcases unparalleled performance and scalability (24 physical fabrics, up to 9,000 switch ports). DCFM Enterprise configures and manges DCX backbones, along with HP StorageWorks directors, routers, and switches. Existing EFCM and FM customers that have active Maintenance and Support contracts are provided a seamless migration path to DCFM Enterprise. Fabric OS compatibility Table 2 on page 12 lists the earliest versions of HP software supported in this release; these are the earliest supported software versions that interoperate. HP recommends using the latest software versions to get the greatest benefit from the SAN. 10-Gb interoperability 10-Gb interoperability between FC10-6 and McDATA blades is not supported due to a HW limitation, however, the FC10-6 is supported in chassis running in Interopmode 2 or 3 (FC10-6 to FC10-6 connections only). An FC10-6 blade will not synchronize with a McDATA 10-Gb blade, but will not negatively affect the system. HP StorageWorks Fabric OS 6.1.2b release notes 17