A6795A with Silkworm2800 Problem

[Bernd Reize]

Hi,

we tried to connect a Superdome partition with A6795A FC-Cards to a fabric with Brocade Silkworm2800 switches.
Theoretically it works, the SD finds the attached XP256 Disk Array and it can access the mapped disks properly.
But while watching the switch, we saw a strange behavior: the SD attempts to relogin (FLOGI & PLOGI) every 30 seconds (see attached file).
Since we never saw this with Silkworm3800 switches, our first thought was, it could be a auto-negotiating problem. Although both the switch and the SD show '1GB' speeds.
A Hardware failure is unlikely, since we tried this with a different HBA, a different cable and even a different switch.

Has anyone any hints?

[Vincent Fleming]

First... have you checked your patch level to make sure you're up to date? You need to have Tachyon patch PHKL_23626 or later (only for HP-UX 11i).

Second... Are you zoning the switch? I've heard issues with some Silkworms with newer FW rev and zoning, but not your specific config.

Let us know how you make out.

Good luck!

[Bernd Reize]

Hi Vincent,

thanks for your help.
We use HP-UX 11i (64bit) and we have installed patch PHKL_23626.
Your are right, we use zoning (Port Level). Can you give me details about your mentioned issues?

Another thing is, the fcmsutil command has some new options, 'vpd' and 'get_mode' for example. But they seem not to be documented yet, neither in the man page nor in the release notes pdf. Do you know if there is something like a 'set_mode', to force the card to 1G speed?

[Vincent Fleming]

I saw a note that said Zoning and Auto-negotiate issues are expected to be fixed in the next FW release in Brocade 3X00's. Perhaps it's related since the FW you're running is pretty much the same rev as what's current on the 3800s. No details have were there. Can you run without Zones? If all disk arrays have Secure Manager or equiv. functionality, Zones are not really needed.

...sorry - no word on the new fcmsutil features.

It looks like your link integrity is failing... Have you tried changing the GBIC's?

Good luck!