HP 3PAR AIX and IBM Virtual I/O Server Implementation Guide

HP 3PAR Coexistence
The HP 3PAR StoreServ Storage array can coexist with other HP array families.
For supported HP arrays combinations and rules, see the HP SAN Design Reference Guide, available
on the following website:
HP SAN Design Reference Guide
Configuration Guidelines for Fabric Vendors
Use the following fabric vendor guidelines before configuring ports on fabrics to which the HP
3PAR StoreServ Storage connects.
• Brocade switch ports that connect to a host server HBA port or to an HP 3PAR StoreServ
Storage port should be set to their default mode. On Brocade 3xxx switches running Brocade
firmware 3.0.2 or later, verify that each switch port is in the correct mode using the Brocade
telnet interface and the portcfgshow command, as follows:
brocade2_1:admin> portcfgshow
Ports 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
-----------------+--+--+--+--+----+--+--+--
Speed AN AN AN AN AN AN AN AN
Trunk Port ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON
Locked L_Port .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Locked G_Port .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Disabled E_Port .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
where AN:AutoNegotiate, ..:OFF, ??:INVALID.
The following fill-word modes are supported on a Brocade 8 G/s switch running FOS firmware
6.3.1a and later:
admin>portcfgfillword
Usage: portCfgFillWord PortNumber Mode [Passive]
Mode: 0/-idle-idle - IDLE in Link Init, IDLE as fill word (default)
1/-arbff-arbff - ARBFF in Link Init, ARBFF as fill word
2/-idle-arbff - IDLE in Link Init, ARBFF as fill word (SW)
3/-aa-then-ia - If ARBFF/ARBFF failed, then do IDLE/ARBFF
HP recommends that you set the fill word to mode 3 (aa-then-ia), which is the preferred
mode using the portcfgfillword command. If the fill word is not correctly set, er_bad_os
counters (invalid ordered set) will increase when you use the portstatsshow command
while connected to 8 G HBA ports, as they need the ARBFF-ARBFF fill word. Mode 3 will
also work correctly for lower-speed HBAs, such as 4 Gb/2 Gb HBAs. For more information,
see the Fabric OS command Reference Manual supporting FOS 6.3.1a and the FOS release
notes.
In addition, some HP switches, such as the HP SN8000B 8-slot SAN backbone director switch,
the HP SN8000B 4-slot SAN director switch, the HP SN6000B 16 Gb FC switch, or the HP
SN3000B 16 Gb FC switch automatically select the proper fill-word mode 3 as the default
setting.
• McDATA switch or director ports should be in their default modes as G or GX-port (depending
on the switch model), with their speed setting permitting them to autonegotiate.
• Cisco switch ports that connect to HP 3PAR StoreServ Storage ports or host HBA ports should
be set to AdminMode = FX and AdminSpeed = auto port, with the speed set to auto negotiate.
12 Configuring the HP 3PAR StoreServ Storage for Fibre Channel