Spinfab - Brocade Communications Systems A7533A - Brocade 4Gb SAN Switch Base Command Reference Manual

spinFab

Runs functional test of interswitch link (ISL) cabling and trunk group operation.
Synopsis spinfab [-nmegs count][-ports itemlist][-setfail mode]
Description Use this command to verify the intended functional operation of the interswitch links (ISLs)
between switches at the maximum speed by setting up the routing hardware so that test frames
received by each E_Port are retransmitted on the same E_Port. Several frames are subsequently
sent to the neighbor port attached to each active E_Port specified. Because the default action for
such frames is to route them back to the sender, which never occurs for normal traffic, the frames
circulate until the test stops them.
The frames are continuously transmitted and received in all ports in parallel. The port LEDs flicker
green rapidly while the test is running.
M->N/M->M loopback ports are tested as well, using the same algorithm, if loopback cables or
loopback plugs are present in the switch.
While the frames are circulating, the RX frame count and port CRC and encoder error statistics are
monitored, and error messages may be generated if a port stops or a low-level error occurs. Every
one million frames, the circulating frames are captured to verify that they are still circulating and
that they are still in order. In this manner, the test can verify the entire path to the remote switch as
well as the proper in-order delivery operation of any trunk groups present.
The switch remains in normal operation while this test is running. However, some performance
degradation may occur due to the ISLs being saturated with test frames. For this reason, use
caution when running this test on live fabrics. Consider testing only one trunk group or ISL at a
time, and do not run the tests for extended periods of time.
Combine this test with portLoopBackTest for ISL link failure isolation. If spinFab fails, replace the
cable with a loopback plug and run portLoopBackTest to verify the local switch and media. If these
pass, the fault lies in the cable, the remote switch, or media.
The frame size depends on the amount of buffer credit available on the port. There are eight
possible frames that can be sent. Especially with trunking groups, all eight possible frames are
used unless there is extensive traffic running on the link. The payload size of those eight frames
are 1024, 12, 8, 1024, 512, 1024, 12, and 1024.
Notes On platforms that are enabled for Virtual Fabrics, this test can only be executed from the default
switch. Ports that are not on the default switch cannot be tested. Valid port connections for this test
are:
•
•
To ensure coverage of all ports, it is recommended that you run spinFab before enabling Virtual
Fabrics on the switch.
Ports in extended link configurations cannot be tested by spinFab.
The spinFab test does not run correctly on shared-area ports. Make sure that the list of ports
specified in the -ports parameter does not include shared-area ports. Use nshsow to determine if a
port belongs to a shared area.
Fabric OS Command Reference
53-1001186-01
From the default switch to legacy switches that do not support Virtual Fabrics.
From the default switch to a switch that supports Virtual Fabrics but has the VF feature
disabled.
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spinFab
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