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MDS-Specific FICON Advantages
S e n d d o c u m e n t a t i o n c o m m e n t s t o m d s f e e d b a c k - d o c @ c i s c o . c o m .
While you can configure up to 256 VSANs in any Cisco MDS switch, you can enable FICON in eight
Note
of these VSANs.
FCIP Support
The multilayer architecture of the Cisco MDS 9000 Family enables a consistent feature set over a
protocol-agnostic switch fabric. Cisco MDS 9500 Series and 9200 Series switches transparently
integrate Fibre Channel, FICON, and Fibre Channel over IP (FCIP) in one system. The FICON over
FCIP feature enables cost-effective access to remotely located mainframe resources. With the Cisco
MDS 9000 Family platform, storage replication services such as IBM PPRC and XRC can be extended
over metro to global distances using ubiquitous IP infrastructure and simplifying business continuance
strategies.
When write acceleration is enabled in an FCIP interface, a FICON VSAN will not be enabled in that
Caution
interface. Likewise, if a FCIP interface is up in a FICON VSAN, write acceleration cannot be enabled
on that interface.
See
PortChannel Support
The Cisco MDS implementation of FICON provides support for efficient utilization and increased
availability of inter-switch links necessary to build stable large-scale SAN environments. PortChannels
ensure an enhanced ISL availability and performance in Cisco MDS switches.
See
VSANs for FICON and FCP Intermixing
Cisco MDS 9000 Family FICON-enabled switches simplify deployment of even the most complex
intermix environments. Multiple logical FICON, Z-Series Linux/FCP, and Open-Systems FCP fabrics
can be overlaid onto a single physical fabric by simply creating VSANs as required for each service.
VSANs provide both hardware isolation and protocol specific fabric services, eliminating the
complexity and potential instability of zone-based intermix schemes.
By default, the FICON feature is disabled in all switches in the Cisco MDS 9000 Family. When the
FICON feature is disabled, FC IDs can be allocated seamlessly. Intermixed environments are addressed
by the Cisco SAN-OS software. The challenge of mixing Fibre Channel Protocol (FCP) and FICON
protocols are addressed by Cisco MDS switches when implementing VSANs.
Switches and directors in the Cisco MDS 9000 Family support FCP and FICON protocol intermixing at
the port level. If these protocols are intermixed in the same switch, you can use VSANs to isolate FCP
and FICON ports.
Tip
When creating an intermix environment, place all FICON devices in one VSAN (other than the default
VSAN) and segregate the FCP switch ports in a separate VSAN (other than the default VSAN). This
isolation ensures proper communication for all connected devices.
Cisco MDS 9000 Family Configuration Guide
24-4
Chapter 37, "Configuring IP Storage"
Chapter 13, "Configuring PortChannels"
for more information on FCIP.
for more information on PortChannels.
OL-6973-03, Cisco MDS SAN-OS Release 2.x
Chapter 24
Configuring FICON
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