HP B-series Fabric OS 6.3.2e Release Notes (5697-1816, March 2012) - includes all 6.3.2x versions

should be downgraded to a version of Fabric OS that does not recognize this new OUI. It is also
important to note that specific minimum requirements for recognition of the new OUI will neither
be validated nor enforced by Fabric OS.
Impact of products with the new OUI to existing fabrics/environments
In most situations, a switch that uses the new OUI can be seamlessly added to an existing fabric,
even if the other switches in that fabric are not using Fabric OS versions that are aware of the new
OUI value. However, there are some exceptions and limitations to consider before adding a switch
utilizing the new OUI to an existing fabric or environment.
• Fabrics with encryption products: If an HP encryption switch or blade using the new OUI is
added to an edge fabric of a Fibre Channel routed fabric, Frame Redirection capability could
be impacted across the FCR backbone, thus impacting the encryption functionality. Therefore,
the FC routers in the FCR backbone fabric will need to be upgraded to a firmware version
that supports the new OUI.
• Interopmode 2 and 3 fabrics: In an interopmode 2 or 3 fabric with VE ports, the switches on
both ends of the VE link must run a firmware version that supports the new OUI, or the VE
ports may not function correctly, resulting in unpredictable behavior.
HP SAN Network Advisor compatibility
HP SAN Network Advisor is a comprehensive SAN management application that enables end-to-end
management of HP B-series data center fabrics. It is the next generation product and the successor
to Data Center Fabric Manager (DCFM). HP Network Advisor is available in three versions (see
the HP Network Advisor release notes for full support details):
• HP Network Advisor Professional is an application bundled with B-series switches that is ideally
suited for small- and medium-size businesses that need a lightweight management product to
manage their smaller fabrics (one physical fabric at a time, up to 1,000 ports). HP Network
Advisor Professional supports DC04 SAN Director, and 4/256 SAN Director (but not DC
SAN Backbone Director), FC switches, FCIP switches, FCR switches/Integrated Routing (IR)
capabilities, FCoE/CEE switches, and Brocade HBAs.
• HP Network Advisor Professional Plus is a SAN management application designed for
medium-size businesses to manage up to four physical Fabric OS fabrics and up to 2,560
switch ports. HP Network Advisor Professional Plus supports DC04 SAN Director and 4/256
SAN Director, FC switches, FCIP switches, FCR switches/Integrated Routing (IR) capabilities,
FCoE/CEE switches, encryption switch and blade, and Brocade HBAs. Enterprise class
customers who want to manage departmental SANs can consider deploying this product.
• HP Network Advisor Enterprise is an application designed for enterprise-class customers that
provides unparalleled performance and scalability (24 physical fabrics, up to 9,000 switch
ports). HP Network Advisor Enterprise configures and manages the same switches and directors
as Professional and Professional Plus, but also adds support for the DC SAN Backbone Director.
HP Network Advisor Enterprise is required to manage FICON fabrics. Existing DCFM customers
that have active Maintenance and Support contracts are provided a seamless migration path
to HP Network Advisor Enterprise.
DCFM compatibility
Fabric OS 6.3.2e is fully compatible with DCFM 10.4.x management software. DCFM is a
comprehensive SAN management application that enables end-to-end management of HP B-series
data center fabrics. With the introduction of HP Network Advisor, DCFM has been put into sustaining
mode. DCFM is not qualified or supported for management of switches operating with Fabric OS
7.0.0a and later firmware versions.
IMPORTANT: You must first upgrade DCFM to Network Advisor 11.1.0 or later if you are planning
to upgrade devices to Fabric OS 7.0.0a, or you risk losing management connectivity.
Important notes 17