Brocade Fabric OS v6.4.3f Release Notes v1.0

Fabric OS v6.4.3f Release Notes v1.0 Page 148 of 149
Area
Comments
Manageability
It is suggested that Port Fencing be used to avoid taking ports down for normal fabric
events. The recommended fencing criteria and settings are:
Criteria
Value
ITW (Invalid Transmission Words)
25
CRC (Cyclical Redundancy Check)
3
Protocol Errors
2
State Change
7
Note: In a FICON environment, the time base polling interval MUST be set to one
minute for granular control and response. By default, Port Fencing time base is set
to one hour.
Manageability
Firmware download must be executed sequentially if DCFM is used for downloading
code to Brocade MEOS and FOS non-bladed platforms.
Manageability
As a "Best Practice" for deploying FOS switches/directors into a FICON environment,
verify the FOS version shipped with the most current FOS recommendation. It is
recommended to update all FOS switch/directors to the same FOS levels for
production.
Manageability
FMS must be enabled on the local switch for the remote CUP to work.
Optics
Brocade recommends using 50 micron multimode fiber optic cabling rated at 2000
MHz-km (OM3 or OM4 fiber) for connecting to 8 Gb/sec short wavelength (SX) small
form factor pluggable optics (SFPs). Other 50 micron and 62.5 micron multimode
fiber may be used as an alternative, but distance limitations may exist.
Serviceability
Performance of optical links depends upon the cleanliness of the cables and
connectors, especially at 8 Gb/sec or higher speeds. Consult with your switch and
cable vendors for proper cable maintenance.
Serviceability
The 48 port blade (FC8-48) is supported as follows:
• The switch, or logical switch, must be configured for Brocade Native mode
(interopmode 0).
• It is only supported on VF enabled chassis on the DCX
• It is not supported in the default switch on the DCX.
• DCX-4S does not need to be in VF mode to support the 48 port blade
Traffic Isolation
Zones
Enable Lossless DLS when activating Traffic Isolation (TI) Zones to avoid any traffic
disruption.
Traffic Isolation
Zones
Traffic Isolation (TI) Zoning with FICON supports enabling or disabling of the failover
option. Assistance from service support should be sought before attempting to
enable this feature.
Traffic Isolation
Zones
Activating TI Zone with failover disabled may cause IFCC's. Enable failover prior to
activating/deactivating TI Zone to avoid IFCCs.
Three or More
Switches In A
Fabric
There are some configuration considerations in certain circumstances where there
are three or more switches (domain IDs) in a FICON fabric. Assistance from service
support should be sought to ensure proper configuration.
Note: Please refer to the Firmware Upgrades and Downgrades section of this document when planning an
upgrade to a fabric that includes the 7500 or 7800, or has any FR4-18i or FX8-24 blades in a 48k, DCX-
4S, or DCX chassis.