HBA Login poblem with HP SAN switch

[Ali Mohammad]

I have below configuration in my HP C-class blade.
HP BLC7000
8 x BLC480c server
HP BLC Emulex LPe1105
2 x Cisco MDS 9124e 12-ports SAN switch

I have an issue as described below.

When I connect the Ext ports of MDS 9124e to Storge, then all is ok and HBA in BLC480c login to SAN storage ports and can access LUNs. but when I connect the EXt ports of MDS 9124e t external HP Storagework SAN switch 2/8V then the HBAs are not able to login to SAN storage.

Also be informed that the E-ports in HP 2/8V SAN switch is blinking and is not on always.

Looking forward any help.

[Uwe Zessin]

You need to configure both switches for INTEROPerability.

There is a document

- HP StorageWorks Fabric Interoperability: Merging Fabrics Based on C-Series and B-Series Fibre Channel Switches Application Notes (AA-RV1ZP-TE, May 2009)

on this page:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DocumentIndex.jsp?contentType=SupportManual&locale=en_US&docIndexId=179911&taskId=101&prodTypeId=12169&prodSeriesId=406734

[Ali Mohammad]

Many thanks for the reply and document.

If license is an issue for 2/8V switches ?
I checked that slowly flashing green for the ISL ports between 2/8V and csco 9124E mean "loopback cable or incompatible switch"

What is the meaning of "loopback cable" ?

I will check the document for interoperability.

[Uwe Zessin]

Yes, the 2/8V needs a fabric license - you can check this with the "licenseshow" command.


A "loopback cable" or "loopback connector" is a special piece of hardware that is used to test the full data path including the transmitter/receiver's external connection.
It means that the signal the switch port is sending out is 'bend back' to the same port's receiver by this hardware.

[Ali Mohammad]

Many thanks for the loopback cable clarification.
So the message from flashing green is that incompatible switch. If this incompatibility is native for Cisco 9124 and 2/8V or if we do the interoperate setting the issue will be resolved?

[Uwe Zessin]

The interop-setting removes vendor-specific features so that both models are able to work together.