Dell Brocade 6505 Brocade 6505 Hardware Reference Manual - Page 26

2 Fabric OS Native and Access Gateway modes • Access Gateway simplifies SAN deployment by using N_Port ID Virtualization (NPIV). NPIV provides Fibre Channel switch functions that improve switch scalability, manageability, and interoperability. For more information on Access Gateway, refer to the following: - For a list of F_Ports mapped to N_Ports by default, refer to "Access Gateway default port mapping" on page 37. - For general information and details on using Access Gateway, refer to the Brocade Access Gateway Administrator's Guide. - For specific instructions to prepare the edge fabric before connecting it to Access Gateway (because Access Gateway relies on NPIV technology for its connection to the edge fabric), refer to the Brocade Access Gateway Administrator's Guide. NOTE Access Gateway cannot be connected directly into an array; it requires a fabric to support NPIV. • Fabric OS features available to the Brocade 6505 depend on whether the switch is configured in Access Gateway or Fabric OS Native mode. For a list of available features for each mode, refer to the Brocade Access Gateway Administrator's Guide. • In Access Gateway mode, cascading is not available for the Brocade 6505. Refer to the Brocade Access Gateway Administrator's Guide for details on any other restrictions specific to the Brocade 6505. • In Fabric OS Native mode, the switch provides up to 48 external Fibre Channel ports. These universal and self-configuring ports are capable of becoming one of the following port types: - F_Port (fabric enabled) - FL_Port (fabric loop enabled) - E_Port (expansion port) - M_Port (mirror port) • In Access Gateway mode, the switch provides up to 48 external Fibre Channel ports. However, these ports are configured as N_Ports, and you cannot reconfigure these as any other port type. Disabling and enabling Access Gateway mode This section provides steps to disable and enable Access Gateway mode using Fabric OS commands. For more information on using these commands, refer to the Brocade Access Gateway Administrator's Guide or the Brocade Fabric OS Administrator's Guide. NOTE You can also disable and enable Access Gateway mode using Web Tools. Refer to the Web Tools Administrator's Guide for more information. Enabling Access Gateway mode Note the following when enabling Access Gateway mode: • After you enable Access Gateway mode, some fabric information is erased, such as the zone and security databases. • Enabling Access Gateway mode is disruptive because the switch is disabled and rebooted. 14 Brocade 6505 Hardware Reference Manual 53-1002449-01