Chapter 7. Understanding Access Gateway - IBM Brocade FCoE Installation And User Manual

Chapter 7. Understanding Access Gateway

The Brocade FCoE Switch Module can function in either Fabric OS Native mode or Brocade Access
Gateway (AG) mode. Brocade Access Gateway is a Fabric OS feature that lets you configure your
Enterprise fabric to handle additional N_Ports instead of domains. By reducing the number of
domain IDs and ports you simplify configuration and management in a large fabric.
NOTE
The Brocade FCoE Switch Module cannot be used as a core AG, only as an edge AG. However, there
is no limit as to how many Brocade FCoE Switch Modules can be connected to a core AG.
Switch modules in AG mode are logically transparent to the host and the fabric. You can increase
the number of hosts that have access to the fabric without increasing the number of switch
modules.
The switch is shipped in Fabric OS Native mode by default.
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For a list of available features in Access Gateway mode, refer to the Brocade Access Gateway
Administrator's Guide and the Release Notes accompanying the Brocade FCoE Switch Module.
You can enable AG mode using Fabric OS commands or Web Tools.
When you enable AG mode, you can use the default F_Port-to-N_Port mappings or change this
mapping using command line interface (CLI) or Web Tools after you configure an IP address.
AG simplifies SAN deployment by using N_Port ID Virtualization (NPIV). NPIV provides Fibre
Channel switch functions that improve switch scalability, manageability, and interoperability.
For more information on AG, refer to the following:
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For general information and details on using Access Gateway, refer to the Brocade Access
Gateway Administrator's Guide and the Release Notes accompanying the Brocade FCoE
Switch Module.
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For specific instructions to prepare the edge fabric before connecting it to Access Gateway
(since Access Gateway relies on NPIV technology for its connection to the edge fabric),
refer to the SAN TECH NOTE – Preparing to Install the Brocade Access Gateway).
NOTE
An Access Gateway cannot be connected directly into an array; it requires a fabric to support
NPIV.
In Fabric OS Native mode, the switch provides up to eight external Fibre Channel ports. These
universal and self-configuring ports are capable of becoming one of the following port types:
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F_Port (fabric enabled)
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FL_Port (fabric loop enabled)
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E_Port (expansion port)
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M_Port (mirror port)
In AG mode, the switch also provides up to eight external Fibre Channel ports. However, these
ports are configured as N_Ports, and you cannot reconfigure these as any other port type.
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