Release Notes HP C-series Fabric Switches for NX-OS 5.2(6a) (5697-2259, Jan 2013)

3 MDS 9000 Series Multilayer Director & Multilayer Fabric Switches Release Notes
CISCO MDS 9000 NX-OS RELEASE NOTES
This is not a mandatory upgrade, although HP recommends upgrading to this version because it
incorporates changes that correct issues identified in previous versions. As part of the NX-OS
5.2(6a) image updates provided by HP, the Cisco MDS 9000 Family Release Notes for Cisco
MDS NX-OS Release 5.2(6a) have been included in the bundle. For a complete list and detailed
description of features included in the NX-OS 5.2(6a) release, refer to the Cisco release notes as
appropriate.
As a part of NX-OS 5.2(6a) image updates provided by HP, Cisco Data Center Network Manager
(DCNM) Release 6.1(1a) has been included in the bundle. Cisco DCNM combines Cisco Fabric
Manager, which previously managed SANs, and Cisco DCNM, which previously managed only
LANs, into a unified product that can manage a converged data center fabric. As a part of the
product merger in Cisco DCNM, the name Cisco DCNM for SAN replaces the name Cisco Fabric
Manager. The name Cisco Fabric Manager still applies to Cisco Fabric Manager Release 5.0(x)
and all earlier versions. Cisco DCNM Release 6.1(1a) supports the Cisco Nexus product family
and the Cisco MDS 9000 product family.
DCNM for SAN introduces server-based licenses that will allow you to purchase a pool of
DCNM for SAN licenses instead of a switch-based Fabric Manager Server (FMS) license. The
installed base of existing FMS licenses are grandfathered into DCNM for SAN, which means that
you do not have to purchase a new license to use DCNM for SAN if you have an existing FMS
license. DCNM for SAN licenses are not currently available from HP, but HP will continue to
make FMS licenses available, which can be used to enable DCNM for SAN management for
switch products, until DCNM for SAN licenses become available from HP.
Note: For the latest supported HP storage products, refer to the HP Single Point of Connectivity
Knowledge (SPOCK) website at http://www.hp.com/storage/spock. You must sign up for an HP
Passport to be granted access.
Rebranding of SAN-OS to NX-OS
Cisco MDS 9000 SAN-OS software is rebranded to Cisco MDS 9000 NX-OS software starting
with release 4.1(1b). Software prior to NX-OS 4.1(1b) will continue using the name “SAN-OS”
and remain on the 3.x code stream. NX-OS is designed to interoperate with switches running
SAN-OS software.
When mixing NX-OS, SAN-OS, and FabricWare in the same fabric, HP strongly recommends
upgrading all fabric switches to the latest supported software version in order to maintain a
consistent version throughout the SAN. All switches in the same major NX-OS/SAN-
OS/FabricWare family must use the same software version. Two successive NX-OS/SAN-
OS/FabricWare versions can be used in a fabric temporarily while upgrading switch software.
Do not enable new switch features until the upgrade is complete. For new NX-OS features,
switch limitations, and caveats, refer to the Cisco MDS 9000 Family Release Notes.