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8 GB Brocade FC HBA 804: How to configure BfS (Boot from SAN)

 
chuckk281
Trusted Contributor

8 GB Brocade FC HBA 804: How to configure BfS (Boot from SAN)

Terri had a Boot From SAN question:

 

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Hello all,

 

This is my first real 8 GB Brocade FC HBA and of course its BfS. Best reference I found so far for configuration is this install and ref guide:

 

http://bizsupport1.austin.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c01962745/c01962745.pdf

 

BUT…it only talks about configuring the adapter with software loaded under an OS. I do a lot of BfS with Emulex and Qlogic, does this Brocade card literally not have a BIOS to configure from POST?

 

I found the BCU (BIOS Configuration Utility) mentioned. How do you get to it?

 

BCU runs in two modes:

• Direct mode, where you type the command at the command prompt. For example:

bcu port --topology <port_id> <auto|p2p>

• Shell mode, accessed using the bcu shell; for example,

bcu> port --topology <port_id> <auto|p2p>.

- To access the shell mode, type bcu shell.

- To exit out of shell mode, type exit.

 

To access the shell mode, type bcu shell     Where?

 

 

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Linar pointed Terri some some useful info:

 

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Business as usual, hit Alt-B or Ctrl-B at boot time to access BIOS settings.

 

This whitepaper could be helpful too:

 

http://www.brocade.com/downloads/documents/solution_briefs/Deploying%20Brocade%208%20Gbps%20with%20VMware%20Virtua%20Infrastructure.pdf

 

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ANy other help or input for Terri?

1 REPLY 1
richard429
Regular Advisor

Re: 8 GB Brocade FC HBA 804: How to configure BfS (Boot from SAN)

Clarification:

 

BCU as referenced in this post does not refer to the HP BIOS Config Utility.

 

               "I found the BCU (BIOS Configuration Utility) mentioned. How do you get to it?"

 

Brocade has its own utility referred to as BCU.

 

A Google search of the string - "brocade command line utility bcu download" returns a link to a Brocade Adapter Drivers page.  The current information (Jan 2014) on this page indicates the Brocade Command line Utility is included with the drivers.

 

The HP BIOS Config Utility is commonly referred to as BCU in HP Community Forums.

This HP utility allows an admin to change or update various BIOS settings on supported HP notebooks, desktops and workstations. 

Historically, systems must have an HP developed BIOS to support use of the utility.  An outsourced or ODM developed BIOS might not contain the proper code to support an IT administrator controlling BIOS settings.

It will not work on any Brocade product.

 

The original reference to BCU mixes two different utilties.

 

Richard