Modifying Fibre Channel Port Settings

Fibre Channel (FC) port settings can be modified in the Settings tab of the details page for the port.

Do not alter default settings unless you are familiar with the options and aware of the affect your changes will have on performance. Only expert users should change advanced settings. Changing port settings requires the port to be re-initialized.

In this topic:

Changing SCSI mode

Changing maximum outstanding initiator/target commands

Using hard IDs

Changing connection mode

Changing data rate mode

Changing the port offline timeout

Enabling/disabling support for Brocade VM Insight

Also see these additional Fibre Channel settings topics:

Assigning Port Roles and Groups

Using Soft WWNs for Fibre Channel Ports

System Health Thresholds to set Busy Count per Second Thresholds

Changing SCSI Mode

The SCSI mode is automatically set by the software based on the server port roles assigned. This setting can be manually modified if one port role is mirror (MR). When changed, the port will have to be re-initialized for the change to take effect.

1. In the Settings tab of the port details page, under SCSI Settings, set the SCSI mode for the port.
2. Click Apply.
3. Click Yes on the message to re-initialize the port.

Changing Maximum Outstanding Initiator/Target Commands

The initiator and target maximum outstanding I/O settings determine the number of I/O commands that a port will allow to be processed at any given time.

The default settings are based on the card capabilities and the mode of the port (target, initiator, or both). A port acting as either target or initiator is unidirectional, and a port acting as both initiator and target is bidirectional. When unidirectional, all resources are configured for that mode, and when bidirectional, resources are configured to split the capabilities at 50% initiator and 50% target.

Take care when modifying these values as these changes can limit the amount of I/O being processed. Typically, initiators limit the amount of I/O sent per target LUN, but not per target port. Configurations should be designed to limit the number of initiators and LUNs keeping I/O maximums in mind. When the number of I/Os exceeds the limits that the port supports the port will attempt to throttle the /IO, but if I/O maximums are consistently exceeded it may cause the port to reset—significantly affecting I/O throughput to all attached initiators. Similar issues exist for DataCore SANsymphony initiator ports. The number of LUNs sharing ports should be limited to control the amount of I/O being sent out. Customized maximum outstanding initiator and target command numbers will be validated by the driver, but performance ramifications will not be verified.

Do not customize maximum outstanding initiator/target command settings unless you are aware of the affect your changes will have on performance.

1. In the Settings tab of the port details page, under SCSI Settings, select the Use Defaults check box or clear the check box to enter customized numbers for Max outstanding initiator commands or the Max outstanding target commands.
2. Click Apply.
3. Click Yes on the message to re-initialize the port.

Using Hard IDs

This setting allows a fixed loop ID to be used for a port. The default setting is disabled.

The loop ID must be unique. Port re-initialization will fail if another port in the server group is bound to this ID.

1. In the Settings tab of the port details page, click Advanced Options.
2. In the Use hard ID box, select the setting.
   • Default allows the port to choose the optimal Loop ID.
   • Enabled assigns the loop ID of the port. Select Enabled and then specify the hard ID in the Hard assigned ID box. The connection mode must be set to Loop.
   • Disabled allows the port to negotiate the Loop ID.
3. Click Apply.
4. Click Yes on the message to re-initialize the port.

Changing Connection Mode

The settings that are available will depend on the capabilities of the port and may include: Point to Point, Loop, Loop preferred, otherwise P2P, and Default.

The Default mode allows the port to set the connection mode. The default setting for the connection mode is Default.

1. In the Settings tab of the port details page, click Advanced Options.
2. In the Connection mode box, select the connection mode for the preferred topology.
3. Click Apply.
4. Click Yes on the message to re-initialize the port.

Changing Data Rate Mode

This setting assigns the link speed.

The Automatic mode allows the port to set the data rate by sensing the current data rate on the link (if the port has this feature).

The Default mode allows the port to set the data rate. The default setting for the data rate mode is Default.

1. In the Settings tab of the port details page, click Advanced Options.
2. In the Data rate mode box, select the maximum number required.
3. Click Apply.
4. Click Yes on the message to re-initialize the port.

Changing Port Offline Timeout

The port offline timeout setting controls the delay in seconds before a port is considered offline and will be logged off. The default value is 30 seconds. Maximum value is 120 seconds.

1. In the Settings tab of the port details page, click Advanced Options.
2. In the Port offline timeout box, select the maximum number required.
3. Click Apply.
4. Click Yes on the message to re-initialize the port.

Enabling Support for Brocade VM Insight

Brocade VM Insight is a feature that monitors performance of virtual machines running on ESXi hosts using Brocade Fibre Channel switches in a VMware vCenter environment.

The Brocade VM Insight switch feature is supported in this software by setting a Fibre Channel server port property for selected server ports.

Setting the Virtual Machine ID mode for a Fibre Channel Port:

1. In the Settings tab of the port details page, click Advanced Options.
2. In the Virtual Machine ID box, select Brocade to enable support or None to disable support.
3. Click Apply.
4. Click Yes on the message to re-initialize the port.