EMC/Brocade 48000 switch firmware with Vir Conn FC

[Mike O.]

We have a EMC Connectrix (Brocade) ED48000 switch. We are starting to implement an HP C7000 system are are going to be using the Virtual Connect FC modules. I've updated the Virtual Connect firmware (both Enet and FC) to the current levels, but our SAN swtich firmware is really out of date and we're working with EMC to bring it up to a current level. According to the VC FC release notes, it says it works with the Brocade up to version 6.1.0g. The EMC tech we're working with says that EMC currently has 6.1.0h available. Is there any reason NOT to update the SAN switch to that version? I'm figuring that the 6.1.0h is just probably newer than the HP VC release notes, but is there any known issue with going beyond 6.1.0g? Frankly, it's a real pain (with our management, not EMC) to set up the firmware update, so I'd like to go with the latest EMC approved version, since it's that much longer before we have to do this again.

Any comments would be appreciated.
Mike O.

[gabbar]

that may be because 6.1.0h was released after latest VC FC firmware release. there have been further releases of switch f/w going upto 6.2.x.
if i were in your place i will not upgrade the switch simply because it is not listed as supported with VC FC f/w. You should get a word on compatibilty from HP support on this.

[IBaltay]

Hi,
it should be checked in SPOCK:
http://h20272.www2.hp.com/

[Mike O.]

I checked the "SPOCK" site, but it doesn't look like it's got any of the Blade items there. Also, the 48000 brocade switch isn't on the list.

[krusty]

Hi Mike,

You'll just have to pick one or the other. This is one of the problems with having a multivendor environment. The support matrices of the companies many times don't line up. You'll just have to pick one and be supported by one company and not the other.

BTW, I am an HP employee, and I have seen this many times - It's not usually an issue, but just the way it is. Many times it's not a direct choice, it's from an aquisition or merger. You'll just have to expect this. All companies can't support all versions of firmware.

Cheers,

Curt

[Greg Vaidman]

SPOCK does have the Brocade 48000 under its' HP OEM name (HP 4/256 SAN Director, or some such), and does have the Blade Servers under Server>HP>ProLiant, but it's not of much help here if you have an EMC disk array.

I did check in PowerLink's EMC Services Partner Web, and EMC does have Brocade firmware 6.1.0h (2/6/09) as the latest, but they also have 6.1.0f (11/6/08) if you want to stick with what HP says.

Of course, you'll also have to make sure you meet the requirements of your storage array, which you didn't mention. If you go into Elab Navigator on PowerLink, you can punch in all your details (servers, HBAs, OS, Switch, Array, etc.) and see what you need to get it work together.