Brocade 300 Switch Hardware Release Notes

Read this document so that you are aware of issues or requirements that can affect the installation and operation of the Brocade 300 switch in a Sun storage area network (SAN).



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This document contains the following sections:


Product Features

The Brocade 300 switch is an entry-level switch that is suited for small SAN deployments. The Brocade 300 switch can be purchased with or without Expansion port (E_port) capability enabled. All Brocade 300 switches have the following features:

When the Brocade 300 switch is purchased with E_port capability enabled (or with the purchase of a Fabric license), the switch can be installed in a Brocade or McDATA SAN.

Installing the Switch in a Brocade SAN

Installing the Switch in a McDATA SAN


Firmware Requirements

The Brocade 300 switch requires Brocade Fabric Operating System (FOS) 6.1.0 (minimum). Brocade FOS 6.1.0c is recommended, which is available as patch ID 138148-xx. The -xx suffix indicates the latest patch revision number. Separate firmware is not required for McDATA interoperability.

For a list of new features introduced in each Brocade FOS release, refer to the Brocade FOS release notes delivered with the patch. For further information, see Downloading and Installing Patches.



Note - The Brocade FOS release notes are also available from Brocade Connect: http://www.brocadeconnect.com/index.jsp

A login is required, but registration is free with a valid Brocade switch World Wide Name (WWN). Only customers that purchase a service plan from Brocade are able to download firmware from Brocade Connect.



Supported OS Software and Hardware

This section provides OS software and hardware support information for the Brocade 300 switch.

Operating System Requirements

The following operating systems running on hosts in the SAN are compatible with Brocade FOS versions.

Solaris

Linux

Microsoft Windows

Other

Supported Storage Platforms

The following storage platforms are compatible with the Brocade 300 switch.

Supported HBAs

The following HBAs are compatible with the Brocade 300 switch.

Supported Server Platforms

The following server platforms are compatible with the Brocade 300 switch.

Sun Fire x64 Servers

Sun Fire SPARC Servers


Installing the Switch in a Brocade SAN

Brocade FOS 6.1.0 is the minimum version required for installation in a Brocade SAN. For further information, see Firmware Requirements.



Note - Use of Expansion port (E_port) capability to create a larger fabric requires a Fabric license.


TABLE 1 summarizes the versions of the Brocade FOS that are supported in conjunction with this release. Use the current firmware version to optimize the benefits of a SAN. Brocade FOS releases are available as patches on SunSolve.


TABLE 1 Minimum Brocade FOS Requirements

Description

Silkworm 3200 and 3800

 

Silkworm 3250, 3850, 3900 and 24000

 

Brocade 4100

 

Brocade 4900

 

Brocade 200E and 48000

 

Brocade 5000

 

Brocade 5100 and 5300

 

Brocade 7500

 

Brocade 7500E

 

Silkworm 12000

 

Brocade DCX Backbone

 

Brocade Fabric Manager

 

General compatibility

 

3.2.1c

 

5.1

 

5.1.0

 

5.2.0

 

5.1.0

 

5.2.1

 

6.1.0c

5.1.0

 

6.1.0c

 

5.0.x

 

6.0.0

 

5.5.0

 

Recommended software versions

 

3.2.1c

5.3.1a

6.1.0c

6.1.0c

6.1.0c

6.1.0c

6.1.0c

6.1.0c

6.1.0c

 

5.0.5c

6.1.0c

5.5.0


Supported Switches in a Brocade SAN

The following switches are compatible with the Brocade 300 switch when operating in a Brocade SAN.

Software Used in a Brocade SAN

Several options are available for managing Brocade switches and directors. The following is a list of the available options and any operating requirements.



Note - When managing Brocade FOS-based switches with EFCM management software, EFCM 9.7.1 (minimum) should be used.


Supported Protocol

The Brocade 300 switch supports the following protocols:



Note - The Brocade 300 switch does not support Fiber Connectivity (FICON).



Installing the Switch in a McDATA SAN

Brocade FOS v6.1.0c enables the Brocade 300 switch to support both McDATA Fabric Mode "interopmode 2" and McDATA Open Fabric Mode "interopmode 3".

Interopmode 1 has been replaced by Interopmode 3 and is no longer supported.

TABLE 2 lists the McDATA switches and McDATA Enterprise OS (E-OS) minimum firmware versions supported by Brocade FOS v6.1.0c. Use the current firmware version to optimize the benefits of a SAN.


TABLE 2 Minimum McDATA E-OS Requirements for Interop Mode

Fabric OS Interoperability with Brocade Switches and Firmware

Brocade 300 switch

FOS v6.1.0c

Fabric OS Interoperability with McDATA Switches and Firmware

Intrepid 6140 and 10000

E-OS v9.6.2

Sphereon or M type 4300, 4400, 4500 and 4700

E-OS v9.6.2


Direct E_port attachment is only supported on the Intrepid directors and the Sphereon or M-type switches listed above.

Interoperability with M-type bladed switches is not supported and these switches should not be included in the fabric.

Supported Switches in a McDATA SAN

The following switches and directors are compatible with the Brocade 300 switch when operating in a McDATA SAN. The switches must run M-EOS(c,n) revision 9.6.2 (minimum).

Software Used in a McDATA SAN

Several options are available for managing Brocade switches and directors. The following is a list of the available options and any operating requirements.

Supported Protocol

The Brocade 300 switch supports the following protocols:



Note - The Brocade 300 switch does not support FICON.



Downloading and Installing Patches

The following tasks provide instructions for downloading and installing patches for the Brocade 300 switch. See Firmware Requirements for the required or recommended firmware versions and associated patch IDs.

Downloading Patches

1. Access the SunSolveSM web site at:

http://sunsolve.sun.com

2. Read and accept the terms and conditions of the License Agreement.

3. From the Support category, select Patches and Updates.

4. Under PatchFinder, type the patch ID and click Find Patch.

Do not type the -xx revision number. PatchFinder automatically finds the latest patch.

5. Verify that you have retrieved the correct patch.

6. Print the page.

Printing this page also prints the patch README file, which contains the installation instructions, special instructions, special guidelines, and notes.

7. Download the patch by clicking on either HTTP or FTP as shown in the following line:

Download Patch (nn,nnn,nnn bytes) HTTP FTP.

8. Click PatchFinder and repeat the process from Step 4 for each patch.

Installing Patches

When you are finished downloading all the patches, install the patches by following the instructions in each patch README file.


Related Documentation

Brocade documenation is available at Brocade Connect:

http://www.brocadeconnect.com/index.jsp

A login is required, but registration is free with a valid Brocade switch World Wide Name (WWN). The following Brocade documents are related to the Brocade 300 switch:

Sun documentation, including the Brocade SilkWorm Switch and SilkWorm Director Sun Rackmounting Guide, part number 817-0066-18, is available at:

http://www.sun.com/documentation


Service Contact Information

If you need help installing or using this product in the United States, call
1-800-USA-4SUN, or go to:

http://www.sun.com/service/contacting/index.xml

 


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