HP StorageWorks 8/8 - SAN Switch Release Note page 27

When connecting to an extension device that does not support ARB primitives (such as some TDM
products), the following configuration must be used:
portcfgqos -disable <port>
portcfgcreditrecovery –disable <port>
portCfgLongDistance <port><LD|LD>0<distance>
The fabric parameter fabric.ops.mode.longdistance is now deprecated and should not be
used.
8-Gb link initialization and fill words
This section describes the portCfgfillWord command that was added to 6.2.x firmware beginning
with Fabric OS 6.2.0d.
Overview
The FC Physical Interfaces (FC-PI) standard defines the requirements for a physical layer. It considers
all aspects of transmit, receive, and cable-plant performance requirements for optical and electrical
links. The FC-PI standard has been modified to support new physical-layer variants that operate at
higher data rates than those specified in FC-PI-2. The standard enables interoperability of transmitter
devices, receiver devices, interconnects, and components from different manufacturers.
New variants include support for an 800 MB/s data rate. The previous implementation by Brocade
was to use IDLE for Link Init and as fill words, which works for 1-Gb, 2-Gb, 4-Gb, and most 8-Gb
devices. However, some of the new 8-Gb devices have problems with the IDLE/IDLE sequence at 8
Gb. 8-Gb switches, HBAs, and smaller mid-range 8-Gb storage devices are using the IDLE/IDLE
sequences without any problems. Some of the new 8-Gb devices require that the ARB (FF)/ARB (FF)
sequence have successful Link Initialization. Brocade has developed an implementation of ARB (FF)/ARB
(FF) for initialization and fill words. The portcfgfillword command, first introduced in Fabric OS
6.1.2 for 6.1x firmware and 6.2.0d for 6.2.x firmware, configures the ARB(FF)/ARB(FF)
implementation.
portCfgFillWord command
The new command portCfgFillWord configures the ARB/ARB implementation for initialization
and fill words for a single 8-Gb FC port.
Syntax: portcfgfillword [slotnumber/]portnumber, mode
Description: Use this command to configure the fill word of an 8-Gb FC port. This command is not
applicable to non 8-Gb FC ports. This command disables and re-enables the port and the port
comes online with the new fill word setting. The configuration is stored in nonvolatile memory and
is persistent across switch reboots or power cycle.
To display user-configured fill word settings, use the portCfgShow command
NOTE:
• This configuration can not be set on VE_Ports or VEX_Ports.
• The execution of the portcfgfillword command is subject to Admin Domain or Virtual
Fabric restrictions that may be in place.
Operands: The portcfgfillword has the following operands:
HP StorageWorks Fabric OS 6.2.0g release notes 27