Aggregating multiple fiber ports on MDS directors

shaiksamir · ‎08-03-2009

Hi All,

Going forward our new servers will have the capability of aggregating multiple fiber ports into fewer connections on the SAN switch. I am told that there is a particular setting that needs to be enable on the switch for this functionality to work, kindly let me know more details on this?

What we intend is to reduce the port usage on Cisco MDS9509 like in map in many hba's to few physical ports instead of one to one?

regards,

Samir

Roman Rodichev · ‎08-03-2009

Switch-Server port channeling feature was added in MDS NX-OS 4.1(3). Make sure your MDS at least runs that release.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/switches/datacenter/mds9000/sw/4_1/configuration/guides/cli_4_1/pc.html#wp1291942

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/switches/datacenter/mds9000/sw/4_1/configuration/guides/cli_4_1/pc.html#wp1209658

Regards,

Roman

bhedlund · ‎08-03-2009

Samir,

Are your new servers blade servers by chance? If so, you might have an FC switch device in the blade enclosure that is operating in an NPV mode. If so, the MDS port connecting to the NPV blade switch device needs to be enabled for NPIV.

http://cisco.com/en/US/docs/storage/san_switches/mds9000/sw/rel_3_x/configuration/guides/cli_3_3/npv.html#wp1568470

Cheers,

Brad

p.s. Please rate if helpful

shaiksamir · ‎08-03-2009

In our current environment we have around 400 servers attached on SAN..with 6 MDS9509 we're moving towards virtualization and thus would also like to aggregate our current fiber connection to reduce port usage.

With NPIV and NPV enabled on core and edge switch benefit us in reduction of number of port usage...and how would be able to migrate from current to few port usage?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

regards,

Samir