HP StorageWorks Fabric Interoperability: Merging Fabrics Based on C-Series and M-Series Fibre Channel Switches Application Notes (AA-RVH9J-TE, May 2008)

Introduction
18 Fabric Interoperability: Merging Fabrics Based on C-Series and M-Series Fibre Channel Switches Application Notes
Interoperability mode behavior summary by Switch Type
The following is a summary of interoperability mode behavior on C-series switches.
C-Series
M-Series
The following is a summary of interoperability mode behavior on M-series switches.
Table 1: C-Series Interoperability Mode Summary
Minimum Firmware Level 1.3.4(a)
Supported M-series Switches M-Series, see Table 3
VSANs Only VSANs explicitly set for “interop
mode” are affected. All others maintain their
independence.
High Availability Fully redundant dual supervisor modules
maintain full functionality.
Domains Domain IDs restricted to 97-127.
Port-Channels and TE ports. Can still be used to directly connect two
MDS-9000 switches together, even while in
interoperability mode. However, they cannot
be used to directly connect to a non-MDS
switch. Standard E ports are required to
connect to non-MDS switches.
Zones and Zonesets Only the active zoneset is propagated. Up to
2000 zones can be supported by the
MDS-9000.
The “default zone” policy changes to “deny.”
Fabric Manager and Element Manager Can still be used to fully manage the
MDS-9000, and create zones to be
distributed to the non-MDS platforms. FM
can still view the entire mixed topology.
Security Ssh, telnet, snmp-v3 are supported.
Device Support Fabric pt2pt F-mode
Table 2: M-Series Interoperability Mode Summary
Minimum Firmware Level 05.02.00-13
Supported Switches C-Series, see Table 4
HAFM HAFM can be used as the management tool
in the interoperating fabric, identifies
C-series switches as generic switches
High Availability Fully redundant dual supervisor modules
maintain full functionality.