Users Guide

594 Fabric OS Administrator’s Guide
53-1002920-02
FC-FC routing overview
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A Fibre Channel router (FC router) is a switch running the FC-FC routing service. The FC-FC routing
service can be simultaneously used as an FC router and as a SAN extension over wide area
networks (WANs) using FCIP.
You can set up QoS traffic prioritization over FC routers. Refer to “QoS” on page 415 for information
about QoS and instructions for setting traffic prioritization over an FC router.
ATTENTION
FC-FC routing is not supported on a Brocade 7800 that has been enabled for logical switches.
License requirements for FC-FC routing
The Integrated Routing license is required for FC-FC routing between Fabric OS fabrics and between
Fabric OS and M-EOS fabrics.
NOTE
The Integrated Routing license is not required for connectivity between Fabric OS and Brocade
Network OS fabrics or between Brocade Network OS fabrics connected by an FC router.
The Integrated Routing license allows 8-Gbps and 16-Gbps FC ports to be configured as EX_Ports
(or VEX_Ports) supporting FC-FC routing.
Enabling the Integrated Routing license and capability does not require a switch reboot.
NOTE
Brocade recommends that all FC routers in a backbone fabric either have the Integrated Routing
license or not. It is not recommended to mix licensed and unlicensed FC routers in the backbone
fabric.
Supported platforms for FC-FC routing
FC-FC routing is supported on the following platforms:
• Brocade 5100 switch
• Brocade 5300 switch
• Brocade 6510 switch
• Brocade 6520 switch
• Brocade VA-40FC switch
• Brocade 7800 Extension Switch
• Brocade Encryption Switch
• Brocade DCX and DCX 8510 Backbone families:
- 8-Gbps port blades (FC8-16, FC8-32, FC8-32E, FC8-48, FC8-48E, FC8-64)
- 16-Gbps port blades (FC16-32, FC16-48)
- FX8-24 DCX Extension Blade