HP 8Gb Short Wave Fiber Channel SFP+ transceiver for a VC FlexFabric module.

[chuckk281]

Samy was helping a customer:

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We ordered 4 x AJ718A (HP 8Gb Short Wave Fiber Channel SFP+ 1 Pack) for a Virtual Connect FlexFabric module.

They are showing up as unsupported in the User Interface (UI).

Is there a special firmware for that transceiver or operation that need to happen for it to be connected properly?

VC FlexFabric is running 3.51 firmware.

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Help from Alex:

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By default ports X1-X4 are configured as Ethernet. If you plug-in FC SFPs into those ports they will show up as unsupported until you configure VC SAN fabric and include desired uplink ports as part of the Fabric definition.

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Reply from Samy:

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That is exactly the behavior we observed. 

This morning myself and a Technical Services professional had a Virtual Room session with the client, after turning the VC on and off, alternating between bay 1 and 2. Finally, Pierre (from HP) said, just for ‘fun’, let’s define a SAN Fabric;  And, wouldn’t you know it, it actually worked!  Worldwide name where assigned and away we went!

Thanks for the help.

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Other comments or input?

[chuckk281]

Input from Mark on this subject:

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Does it actually say “Unsupported”? Or does it actually say “Incompatible”?

If it says “Unsupported”, that is a defect, because it should actually say “Incompatible” in this condition.

If it says “Incompatible”, then this is not a defect and should not changed.

My suggestion would be Configure the port for FCoE before you plug in the SFP.

We have documented this is the User Guide since the product shipped.

Port status conditions

Port status information appears on several screens throughout the GUI.

• Incompatible—The port is populated with an SFP module that does not match the usage assigned to the

port, such as a Fibre Channel SFP connected to a port designated for Ethernet network traffic. A port

that is not assigned to a specific function is assumed to be designated for Ethernet network traffic.

An FCoE-capable port that has an SFP-FC module connected that is not yet assigned to a fabric or

network is designated for a network, and the status is "Incompatible." When a fabric is created on that

port, the status changes to "Linked."

• Unsupported—The port is populated with an SFP module that is not supported. For example:

o An unsupported module is connected.

o A 1Gb or 10Gb Ethernet module is connected to a port that does not support that particular speed.

o An LRM module is connected to a port that is not LRM-capable.

o An FC module is connected to a port that is not FC-capable.