Brocade Network Advisor SAN User Manual v11.1x (53-1002167-01, May 2011)

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FCIP configuration guidelines

FCIP configuration always involves two or more extension switches. The following should take place

first before you configure a working FCIP connection from the Management application:

• The WAN link should be provisioned and tested for integrity.

• Cabling within the data center should be completed.

• Equipment should be physically installed and powered on.

• The Management application must have management port access to the extension switches.

• The Management application must be able to discover the fabrics the contain the extension

switches.

• The extension switches should be physically connected to the IP network they will be using to

pass data, and the connection should be active and working.

• Identify all the devices in the data path between the extension switches, including Ethernet

switches, Ethernet routers, firewalls, and common carrier equipment. A network diagram is

very helpful. Support engineers may ask you to provide a network diagram when

troubleshooting problems.

• Routers and firewalls must be configured to pass ARP, ICMP, and IP layer 3 protocols.

• Persistently disable the VE_ports before you configure them. Ports on a new extension switch

or extension blade are persistently disabled by default.

• Determine which features you are implementing, and gather the information needed to

implement those features. Table 38 summarizes feature support per FCIP platform.

Virtual Port Types

Virtual ports may be defined as VE_Ports or VEX_Ports.

VE_Ports

VE_Ports (virtual E_Ports) are used to create interswitch links (ISLs) through an FCIP tunnel. If

VE_Ports are used on both ends of an FCIP tunnel, the fabrics connected by the tunnel are

merged.

VEX_Port

A VEX_Port enables FC-FC Routing Service functionality over an FCIP tunnel. VEX_Ports enable

interfabric links (IFLs). If a VEX_Port is on one end of an FCIP tunnel, the fabrics connected by

the tunnel are not merged. The other end of the tunnel must be defined as a VE_Port.

Configuring an FCIP tunnel

When you configure an FCIP extension connection, you create FCIP tunnels and FCIP circuits,

between two extension switches.