HP StorageWorks Fabric Interoperability: Merging Fabrics Based on M-series and B-series Fibre Channel Switches Application Notes (AA-RUQQL-TE, November 2009)

Table 16 lists the switch authentication policy for a VE_Port connected to another VE_Port when the
secrets are unknown. In this case, two-way authentication by the B-series switches means that no
authenticated connections are going to be made.
Table 16 VE_Port-to-VE_Port Authentication Policy connections with unknown switch secrets
OffOnActivePassive
B-series switch
nl
VE_ to VE_Port
Yes
1
No
2
No
2
Yes
1
Passive
No
2
No
2
No
2
No
2
Active
No
2
No
2
No
2
No
2
On
Yes
1
No
2
No
2
Yes
1
Off
1
Connected without authentication (Fabric builds normally).
2
E_Port does not connect (Authentication Rejected). When the B-series switch generates the reject, it disables the B-series port.
When the M-series switch generates the reject, it enters an invalid attachment state.
Authentication of VEX_Port-to-VE_Port connections
VEX_Port authentication is basically the same as EX_Port authentication. However, VEX_Ports always
operate in Passive mode. This means that a VEX_Port connected to a VE_Port works the same as an
E_Port connected to an EX_Port. The B-series switch is on both sides of the connection.
Table 17 lists the switch authentication policy for a VEX_Port connected to a VE_Port.
Table 17 VEX_Port-to-VE_Port Authentication Policy connections with correct secrets
OffOnActivePassive
B-series switch
VEX_ to VE_Port
Yes
1
Yes
2
Yes
2
Yes
1
Passive
1
Connected without authentication (Fabric builds normally).
2
Connected with two-way authentication; both sides of the connection perform Authentication (Fabric builds normally).
Table 18 lists the switch authentication policy for a VEX_Port connected to a VE_Port with incorrect
secrets.
Table 18 VEX_Port-to-VE_Port Authentication Policy connections with incorrect secrets
OffOnActivePassive
B-series switch
VEX_ to VE_Port
Yes
1
No
2
No
2
Yes
1
Passive
1
Connected without authentication (Fabric builds normally).
2
E_Port does not connect (Authentication Rejected). When the B-series switch generates the reject, it disables the B-series port.
When the M-series switch generates the reject, it enters an invalid attachment state.
Authentication of VEX_Port-to-VEX_Port connections
When VEX_Ports are connected to each other, both ports operate in Passive mode and therefore, they
do not initiate authentication.
HP StorageWorks Fabric Interoperability: Merging Fabrics Based on M-series and B-series Fibre
Channel Switches Application Notes 29