Technical data

Fabric OS Administrator’s Guide B-3
Publication Number: 53-0000518-09
Configuration Recommendations
B
• QuickLoop Fabric Assist
• Remote Switch
• Extended Fabrics
• Trunking
• Alias Server
• Platform Service
• Virtual Channels
• FC-IP
Configuration Recommendations
The following is recommended when configuring an interoperable fabric:
• Avoid domain ID conflicts before fabric reconfiguration. Every switch in the fabric must have a
unique domain ID.
• When you are configuring multiple switches, you should wait for a fabric reconfiguration after
adding or removing each switch.
Configuration Restrictions
In interoperable fabrics, the following restrictions apply:
• Do not use Extended Edge PID mode.
• There is an architecture maximum of 31 switches.
• Domain IDs must be in the 97 to 127 value range for successful connection to McData switches.
The firmware automatically assigns a valid domain ID, if necessary, when the interopmode
command is enabled on the switch.
• The fabricShow command only shows the WWN and domain ID for McDATA switches. No IP
address or switch name information is provided. Brocade switches show all parameters.
• If you are managing zoning from Brocade switches, then all Brocade switches must have at least
one direct connection to another Brocade switch. For example, you cannot have a McDATA switch
between two Brocade switches if you are managing zoning from the Brocade switches.
• LC IBM GBICs are not supported if they are connected to a McData ISL.
• When a Brocade switch gets a new domain ID assigned through a fabric reconfiguration, the new
domain ID is written to nonvolatile memory and the old domain ID value is overwritten. When a
McDATA switch gets a new domain ID assigned through a fabric reconfiguration, it keeps the
original domain ID in nonvolatile memory.
In this scenario, when the domain ID of both a McDATA switch and a Brocade switch are changed
via fabric reconfiguration, on the next and subsequent fabric reconfiguration(s), the Brocade switch
attempts to use the new ID (from the nonvolatile memory) while McDATA attempts to use its old
ID (from the nonvolatile memory). This situation might cause a domain ID overlap to occur during
multiple fabric reconfigurations. Domain ID overlap is not supported for Brocade/McDATA
interoperability.