FCIP Compression between MDS 9222i and 9216i

[reagleston]

Has anyone been able to get FCIP compression to work between a 9222i(NX-OS 5)  and a 9216i(NX-OS 4.2)?   I was told it would work when I purchased the 9222i, but have not been able to use FCIP compression between the two .   The FCIP interfaceon both  go down immediatley after enabling compression regardless of what compression setting is used.   The 9222i reason for the downed interface is "admin changed" and the 9216i's reason is "connection closed be peer".

Any  feedback is appreciated!

[maminhas]

when using features like compression / TA/ WA  etc you need to make sure  hardware and software matches to avoid any inconsistency.

For FCIP between two sites,We suggest using the same type of Hardware module (e.g 18+4 on both ends) as well as same SAN OS code across for fabric consistency.

usually 14+2 mod on 9216 switch uses software compression and 18+4 mod on 9222i uses hardware compression, so there might be inconsistency of hardware v/s software compression. It would probably work if you have same type of Hardware on both ends.

Are you able to isolate it by disabling "compression" on FCIP. If it works.  then you may need to consider placing another 9222i on the other end instead of 9216.

[reagleston]

Thanks for the response.   Since my last post I downgraded the software on the 9222i to be the same version as the 9216i,  NX-OS 4.2.7d.   Compression still does not work.  I turn off compression and and FCIP link comes right up. 

As far as the hardware being different, the following is quoted straight from Cisco's fcip config guide:

"The Cisco MDS 9216i and 9222i Switches also supports the IP compression feature. The integrated supervisor module has the same hardware components that are available in the MPS-14/2 module"

The only reason I bought the 9222i was for fcip compression to an existing 9216i.  I was told by Cisco engineers that this would work.

[maminhas]

The Cisco MDS 9216i and 9222i Switches also supports the IP compression feature

This is true, however the difference here is 14+2 v/s 18+4 chipset. the 18+4 support hardware based compression where as 14+2 does software compression.The fact that as you mentioned ,once  I turn off compression and and FCIP link comes right up.  clealy indicates there is a mismatch of compression type between 18+4 and 14+2 module.

[reagleston]

I got it working finally.  I tried different versions of software.    Some worked and some didn't.   The  best performing configuration  was the following.

MDS 9222i  -   version   SAN OS 3.3.5a    -  Compression set to Auto,  but all modes work

MDS 9216i      version   SAN OS 4.2.7d    -  Compression set to Auto, but all modes work

I am getting 7:1  tx  compression

Hope this helps someone else....

[kenk]

Hello,

Thank you for providing the combination that worked between the the 9222i and 9216i...that will

be helpful information going forward.

Regards,

Ken

[Filiph Westman]

FYI - compression modes 1 & 3 were deprecated in NX-OS 5.x and 4.2x, so 9222i lost compatibility with a peer 9216i switch.