Cisco interoperability with emc storage and FC brocade switch

[sergioadalid]

Hi, I'm trying to validate a connection that I want to do with a Hyperflex solution with a san storage emc2 (cx4-120) that is connected to a couple of brocade FC switches (m5424) The scenario has the following devices: * 2 Nexus 93180YC-EX * 2 FI 6296UP * 3 HX24C hyperflex nodes * 1 chassis 5108 with 3 blades b200 and 2 FEX2208XP I have understood that the only device that support FC is the FI6296, so I want to know if there is any special requirement to do this connection.

[Matt Breitbach]

You will be able to allow the 3 b200 blades to connect to the SAN storage, but they hyperflex nodes (unless you add FC adapters) will not be able to access the EMC SAN storage.  Connecting the UCS infrastructure to the brocade SAN is pretty straightforward, and is well documented here : https://supportforums.cisco.com/sites/default/files/attachments/discussion/cisco_ucs_brocade_connectivity_guide.pdf

Edit - I should caveat that with the following - if you're connecting the HyperFlex nodes to the UCS fabric, then you should be able to configure them with virtual FC HBA's and allow them to access the SAN storage also.  The same interconnectivity described in the above link applies.

[Clifford Aldan]

Adding to Matt's comments, the UCS FIs support FC across all its models, not just the 6296

• They all have unified ports that can do Ethernet and FC 
• You would convert them to FC uplink ports in UCS Manager, and they will consume port licenses 

When you're connecting the FIs to your northbound FC switch, be aware that the FIs are in End Host Mode (npv) for Ethernet and FC, so your northbound switches would need to have npiv enabled to support this 

When deploying HX with 1.8, you will need to create vHBAs, VLANs, VSANs, WWNN and WWPN pools 

• Refer to the Attaching External Storage chapter of the Cisco HyperFlex Systems Getting Started Guide, Release 1.8 for more information about this 

Lastly, confirm interoperability using the UCS HW and SW Compatibility and go over the HyperFlex Pre-Install Checklist