IBM Tape Solutions for Storage Area Networks and FICON

Chapter 3. SAN building blocks 51

Simple Network Management Protocol

SNMP allows network devices to be monitored, controlled, and configured remotely from a

network management station running a network manager program. SNMP agent code in the

network device allows management by transferring data that is specified by a Management

Information Base (MIB).

The 2109 Model F16 switch agent supports:

򐂰 SNMPv1 manager

򐂰 Command line utilities to provide access to and command the agent

򐂰 MIB-II system group, interface group, and SNMP group

򐂰 Fabric-element MIB

򐂰 IBM-specific MIBs

򐂰 Standard generic traps

򐂰 IBM-specific traps

Diagnostics

The 2109 Model F16 switch supports a set of POSTs, as well as tests that can be invoked

using Telnet commands. These diagnostics are used during the manufacturing process and

for fault isolation of the product in customer installations.

Diagnostic environment

Most diagnostics are written to run in the VxWorks environment. However, because VxWorks

does not run without a working SDRAM, a SDRAM/boot EEPROM test is run as part of the

pre-VxWorks startup code to verify that the basic processor-connected memories are

functioning properly.

Hardware support

Loop-back paths for frame traffic are provided in the hardware for diagnostic purposes. A

loop-back path within the ASIC, at the final stages of the Fibre Channel interface, can verify

that the internal Fibre Channel port logic is functioning properly, as well as paths between the

interface and the central memory. In addition, the SerialLink macro within the ASIC includes a

serial data loop-back function that can be enabled through a register in the corresponding

ASIC.

Diagnostics are provided to allow traffic to be circulated between two switch ports that are

connected with an external cable. This allows the diagnostics to verify the integrity of the final

stage of the SERDES interface, as well as the media interface module.

Diagnostic coverage

The POST and diagnostic commands concentrate on the Fibre Channel ports and verify

switch functionality of the 2109 Model F16 switch.

3.6.4 Interoperability

The sections discuss:

򐂰 Switch interoperability

򐂰 HBA interoperability

򐂰 Operating system support

Switch interoperability

The 2109 Model F16 switch supports both 1 Gbps and 2 Gbps transmit and receive rates with

auto-negotiation. The actual data signaling rate that is used on a port is automatically sensed,

and is set to the rate that is supported by a device or devices that are attached to the port.

The 2109 Model F16 has been tested and is compliant with the current FC standards. The

52 IBM Tape Solutions for Storage Area Networks and FICON

2109 Model F16 is compatible with most current-generation switches N_ports, NL_ports, and

E_ports, as well as host adapters, Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID) storage

devices, hubs, and Fibre-SCSI bridge devices, including the 3534 and 2109 series of

switches.

Implementation in existing environments

Because the 2109 Model F16 switch has a compatible 1 Gbps auto-negotiated signaling rate

on each port, it can be used as a replacement for current 3534 and 2109 series switches. As

newer technology is added to existing systems that support 2 Gbps signaling, the ports can

accept these devices and interoperate with existing 1 Gbps devices. If the 2109 Model F16 is

connected to a third-party device but is unable to negotiate the signaling rate, the 2109 Model

F16 allows you to manually set the speed of each port through the management interfaces.

Heterogeneous inter-switch operations

Fabric OS 3.0 supports interoperability for the following functions:

򐂰 Basic switch functions

– Link initialization

– Principal switch selection

– Routing (FSPF)

򐂰 Basic services

– Simple name service

– State change notification

– Worldwide Name (WWN) zoning (typically referred to as

soft zoning or name server

zoning

)

The following facilities are switch-based facilities and continue to function on any 2109 switch:

򐂰 SNMP facilities

򐂰 Simple QuickLoops with no zoning

򐂰 Translative mode (private target support on fabrics)

򐂰 Trunking (only functions between two IBM switches)

򐂰 Enhanced performance metrics

The following facilities are IBM value-added facilities that are not supported in a multivendor

fabric. Use of these facilities causes the fabric to segment.

򐂰 QuickLoop zones

򐂰 QuickLoop Fabric assist mode

򐂰 Port, protocol, or LUN zoning

IBM is not aware of any areas of non-compliance with any ratified standards at this time.

Host bus adapter interoperability

The 2109 Model F16 has been tested with the following host bus adapters (HBAs) from the

following vendors:

򐂰 Emulex

– LP6000

– LP7000

– LP8000

– LP850

– LP952

– LP9000