User Manual

Fabric OS 5.0.0 procedures user guide 219
B Configuring interoperability mode
This appendix contains the following sections:
• Vendor switch requirements, page 219
• HP StorageWorks switch requirements, page 219
• Supported HP StorageWorks features, page 220
• Unsupported HP StorageWorks features, page 220
• Configuration recommendations, page 221
• Configuration restrictions, page 221
• Enabling and disabling interoperability mode, page 222
This appendix provides information on setting up a heterogeneous fabric that includes HP StorageWorks
switches and switches from other manufacturers.
The interoperability mode enables HP StorageWorks switches and others to exchange interoperability
parameters, allowing their fabrics to merge into one fabric with one principal switch and unique
domain IDs.
The interopmode command must be executed on all HP StorageWorks switches in the fabric. Each HP
StorageWorks switch must be rebooted after changing interoperability mode.
Switches from other manufacturers may also require the execution of one or more commands to set up
interoperability mode. Refer to their documentation for details.
In a heterogeneous fabric, each HP StorageWorks switch must have interoperability mode enabled (see
”Enabling and disabling interoperability mode” on page 222).
To provide maximum compatibility between switches, several features are not available in heterogeneous
fabrics (see ”Supported HP StorageWorks features” on page 220 and ”Unsupported HP StorageWorks
features” on page 220).
Vendor switch requirements
To determine whether or not a mixed-vendor SAN is supported, work with the switch provider to
determine if your SAN design is valid. Important variables that determine the supportability of a
particular mixed vendor SAN include the number of switches, version of Fabric OS, the topology, number
of ISLs, number of connected devices, and hop count. For interoperability rules, refer to HP StorageWorks
SAN design reference guide.
HP StorageWorks switch requirements
The following are the HP StorageWorks software requirements:
• 1 GB switches must be running Fabric OS v2.6.0 or later.
• 2 GB switches must be running Fabric OS v3.1.0 or later.