HP StorageWorks Fabric OS 5.0.0 Command Reference Guide (AA-RW1MA-TE, May 2005)

Fabric OS 5.0.0 command reference guide 621
Runs functional test of switch-to-switch ISL cabling and trunk group operation.
Synopsis
spinfab [-nmegs count][-ports itemlist][-setfail mode][-domain value]
Availability
admin
Description
Use this command to verify the intended functional operation of the ISL links between switches. At the
maximum speed of 2 Gb/s, set the routing hardware such that test frames received by each E_Port
retransmit on the same E_Port. Next, send several frames to the neighbor port attached to each active
E_Port specified. The default action for such frames is to route them back to the sender, which never occurs
for normal traffic. The frames circulate until the test stops them.
The frames are continuously transmitted and received in all ports in parallel. The port LEDs flicker green
rapidly while the test is running. While the frames are circulating, the RX frame count and port CRC and
encoder error statistics are monitored and errors will be generated if a port stops or a low-level error
occurs. Every one million frames, the circulating frames are captured to verify that they are still circulating
and that they are still in-order. In this manner, the entire path to the remote switch might be verified, as can
be the proper in-order delivery operation of any trunk groups present.
The switch remains in normal operation while this test is running; however, some performance degradation
occurs due to the ISL links being saturated with test frames. Because of this, you should use caution when
running this test on live fabrics. Consider only testing one trunk group or ISL link at a time, and do not run
the tests for extended periods of time.
This test is best combined with the online crossPortTest for ISL link-failure isolation. If this test fails,
replace the cable with a loop-back plug and run crossPortTest to verify the local switch and media. If
these pass, the fault lies in the cable or remote switch and media.
The frames are continuously transmitted and received in all ports in parallel. The port LEDs flicker green
rapidly while the test is running.
NOTE: When trunk groups are present, the entire trunk group must be included in the range of ports to
test or false failures can occur. If multiple ISL links are present between two switches that support trunking,
then it is likely that trunk groups are present and all ports between the two switches should be tested at the
same time.
spinFab