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

You do not need to perform a reboot. Each Fabric OS switch automatically reboots when you change

modes.

Fabric OS 6.1.0a and later supports changing between interoperability modes using the following

interopmode command options:

• Interopmode 2 for McDATA Fabric mode, which supports M-series switches with firmware

9.7.2 and later running in Homogeneous or McDATA Fabric mode

• Interopmode 3 for McDATA Open Fabric mode, which supports M-series switches with firmware

9.7.2 and later running in Open Fabric mode

• Interopmode 0 for Brocade Native mode, which supports all standalone B-series fabrics, but

does not offer interoperability support

NOTE:

In HP M-series products, McDATA Fabric interoperability mode is called Homogeneous Fabric mode.

Interoperating with an M-EOS fabric using FC-to-FC Routing

The B-series FC router-based interoperability enables interoperability between B-series and M-series

fabrics without merging them into a single fabric.

The FC router interoperates with M-EOS fabrics in both McDATA Open mode 1 and McDATA Fabric

mode. Fabric OS 6.x allows you to configure any EX_Port to connect to a M-EOS fabric using an

E_Port, without disrupting existing services. All EX_Port functionality, such as fabric isolation and

device sharing, remains as if connected to an existing B-series fabric.

NOTE:

M-EOS fabrics are supported as edge fabrics only. They should not be connected directly to the

backbone.

For guidelines and information about supported configurations, see the HP StorageWorks Fabric OS

6.x Administrator Guide.

Understanding B-series and M-series interoperability

Fabric OS 6.x features may or may not be available for use in an M-series configuration, depending

on whether or not the feature is M-series-aware (that is, aware of the M-series environment). If a feature

is M-series-aware, some actions are possible fabric-wide. If a feature is M-series-unaware, some

actions cannot be taken.