Data Center Fabric Manager Enterprise User Manual v10.3.X (53-1001357-01, November 2009)

372 DCFM Enterprise User Manual

53-1001357-01

FCIP configuration guidelines

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

first before you can successfully configure a working FCIP connection from the Management

application:

• 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. Maximum Transmission rate and

MTU size configuration parameters are negotiated over an active connection.

• 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 virtual ports before you configure them. Ports on a new extension

switch or extension blade are persistently disabled by default. On an extension switch or blade

that has already been installed and configured, check the VE_Port status using the

portcfgshow command, and persistently disable the ports before you configure them.

• The Ethernet port associated with the tunnel should also be disabled. Disabling the Ethernet

port will disable all tunnels on the port. Before disabling an Ethernet port, be sure there are no

other tunnels active on the port.

• If you are interconnecting fabrics through the tunnel, determine if you want to prevent the

fabrics from merging. Defining a VEX_Port on one end of the tunnel can prevent Fabrics from

merging.

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

implement those features. Table 21 summarizes feature support per FCIP platform.