HP Mainframe Connectivity Design Guide

Model naming
The C-series Fibre Channel switches are named MDS 9xnn and SNn000C.
TypeSwitch
Director or coreSN8000C and SN8500C (Multilayer Directors)
Entry-levelSN6000C
Director or coreMDS 95nn
1
Mid-rangeMDS 92nn
2
Entry-levelMDS 91nn
2
Entry-level 4 Gb/s switch (Multilayer Fabric switch)MDS 9020
3
1
In this switch, nn indicates the number of slots available for supervisors and port modules.
2
In this switch, nn indicates the number of fixed ports.
3
In this switch, 20 indicates the number of fixed ports.
Multi-protocol products are designated with the “i” suffix (such as the MDS 9216i), as IP Storage
Services Modules (such as the IPS-4 and IPS-8), or as Multi-protocol Services Modules (such as the
14/2 Multi-protocol Services Module). For IPS products, the number indicates the total number of
IP ports available. For example, the IPS-4 has four IP ports; the IPS-8 has eight IP ports. The 14/2
has 14 FICON/FCP ports and two IP ports.
The 4 Gb/s and 2 Gb/s director ports autonegotiate the signaling speed. For example, when you
connect a 4 Gb/s or 2 Gb/s port directly to a 1 Gb/s port, both ports run at 1 Gb/s in each
direction. If the ports are not directly connected, the fabric director that connects the ports determines
the signaling speed.
The 8 Gb/s director ports autonegotiate the signaling speed to 8, 4, or 2 Gb/s. The 8 Gb/s ports
do not support 1 Gb/s.
The 16 Gb/s director ports autonegotiate the signaling speed to 16, 8, or 4 Gb/s. The 16 Gb/s
ports do not support 1 and 2 Gb/s.
NOTE: Some 1 Gb/s CUs may not be able to autonegotiate with the 4 Gb/s or 2 Gb/s director
ports. If this occurs, you must configure the director ports to run at 1 Gb/s.
Director models
Table 14 (page 49) describes the C-series FICON directors and Table 15 (page 49) describes the
legacy C-series FICON directors. HP supports all C-series directors in a fabric if you:
• Use the firmware versions listed in Table 14 (page 49) and Table 15 (page 49). All FICON
directors in the same fabric or SAN must use the same firmware version. When updating
director firmware, you can use two successive firmware versions temporarily in the same fabric
or SAN.
• Follow the fabric rules. See “Fabric rules” (page 58).
For the latest information on supported C-series FICON directors and firmware versions, see the
HP SPOCK website at http://www.hp.com/storage/spock. You must sign up for an HP Passport
to enable access. On the left side of the home page, under Other Hardware, click Switches to
access the switch streams. The FICON switch streams are located at the bottom of the web page.
C-series FICON directors 47