Contents

Managing FLOGI, Name Server, FDMI, and RSCN Databases

This chapter contains the following sections:

Managing FLOGI, Name Server, FDMI, and RSCN Databases

Information About Fabric Login

In a Fibre Channel fabric, each host or disk requires an FC ID. Use the show flogi command to verify if a storage device is displayed in the fabric login (FLOGI) table as in the following examples. If the required device is displayed in the FLOGI table, the fabric login is successful. Examine the FLOGI database on a switch that is directly connected to the host HBA and connected ports.

The following example shows how to verify the storage devices in the fabric login (FLOGI) table:

switch# show flogi database
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERFACE  VSAN    FCID            PORT NAME               NODE NAME
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
fc2/3      1     0xb200e2  21:00:00:04:cf:27:25:2c  20:00:00:04:cf:27:25:2c
fc2/3      1     0xb200e1  21:00:00:04:cf:4c:18:61  20:00:00:04:cf:4c:18:61
fc2/3      1     0xb200d1  21:00:00:04:cf:4c:18:64  20:00:00:04:cf:4c:18:64
fc2/3      1     0xb200ce  21:00:00:04:cf:4c:16:fb  20:00:00:04:cf:4c:16:fb
fc2/3      1     0xb200cd  21:00:00:04:cf:4c:18:f7  20:00:00:04:cf:4c:18:f7
vfc3/1     2     0xb30100  10:00:00:05:30:00:49:63  20:00:00:05:30:00:49:5e
Total number of flogi = 6.

The following example shows how to verify the storage devices attached to a specific interface:

switch# show flogi database interface vfc1/1
INTERFACE  VSAN    FCID            PORT NAME               NODE NAME 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
vfc1/1     1     0x870000  20:00:00:1b:21:06:58:bc  10:00:00:1b:21:06:58:bc     
Total number of flogi = 1.

The following example shows how to verify the storage devices associated with VSAN 1:

switch# show flogi database vsan 1

Name Server Proxy

The name server functionality maintains a database containing the attributes for all hosts and storage devices in each VSAN. Name servers allow a database entry to be modified by a device that originally registered the information.

The proxy feature is useful when you need to modify (update or delete) the contents of a database entry that was previously registered by a different device.

About Registering Name Server Proxies

All name server registration requests come from the same port whose parameter is registered or changed. If it does not, then the request is rejected.

This authorization enables WWNs to register specific parameters for another node.

Registering Name Server Proxies

To register the name server proxy, perform this task:

SUMMARY STEPS

    1.    switch# configuration terminal

    2.    switch(config)#fcns proxy-port wwn-id vsan vsan-id


DETAILED STEPS
     Command or ActionPurpose
    Step 1 switch# configuration terminal
     

    Enters configuration mode.

     
    Step 2 switch(config)#fcns proxy-port wwn-id vsan vsan-id
     

    Configures a proxy port for the specified VSAN.

     

    About Rejecting Duplicate pWWNs

    You can prevent malicious or accidental log in using another device’s pWWN by enabling the reject-duplicate-pwwn option. If you disable this option, these pWWNs are allowed to log in to the fabric and replace the first device in the name server database.

    Rejecting Duplicate pWWNs

    To reject duplicate pWWNs, perform this task:

    SUMMARY STEPS

      1.    switch# configuration terminal

      2.    switch(config)# fcns reject-duplicate-pwwn vsan vsan-id

      3.    switch(config)# no fcns reject-duplicate-pwwn vsan vsan-id


    DETAILED STEPS
       Command or ActionPurpose
      Step 1 switch# configuration terminal
       

      Enters configuration mode.

       
      Step 2 switch(config)# fcns reject-duplicate-pwwn vsan vsan-id
       

      Logs out devices when they log into the fabric if the pWWNs already exist.

       
      Step 3 switch(config)# no fcns reject-duplicate-pwwn vsan vsan-id
       

      Overwrites the first device’s entry in the name server database with the new device having the same pWWN (default).

       

      About Name Server Database Entries

      The name server stores name entries for all hosts in the FCNS database. The name server permits an Nx port to register attributes during a PLOGI (to the name server) to obtain attributes of other hosts. These attributes are deregistered when the Nx port logs out either explicitly or implicitly.

      In a multiswitch fabric configuration, the name server instances running on each switch shares information in a distributed database. One instance of the name server process runs on each switch.

      Displaying Name Server Database Entries

      The following example shows how to display the name server database for all VSANs:

      switch# show fcns database
      
      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
      FCID        TYPE  PWWN                    (VENDOR)        FC4-TYPE:FEATURE
      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
      0x010000    N     50:06:0b:00:00:10:a7:80                   scsi-fcp fc-gs 
      0x010001    N     10:00:00:05:30:00:24:63 (Cisco)           ipfc 
      0x010002    N     50:06:04:82:c3:a0:98:52 (Company 1)       scsi-fcp 250 
      0x010100    N     21:00:00:e0:8b:02:99:36 (Company A)       scsi-fcp 
      0x020000    N     21:00:00:e0:8b:08:4b:20 (Company A)
      0x020100    N     10:00:00:05:30:00:24:23 (Cisco)           ipfc 
      0x020200    N     21:01:00:e0:8b:22:99:36 (Company A)       scsi-fcp 

      The following example shows how to display the name server database and statistical information for a specified VSAN:

      switch# show fcns database vsan 1
      
      VSAN 1:
      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
      FCID        TYPE  PWWN                    (VENDOR)        FC4-TYPE:FEATURE
      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
      0x030001    N     10:00:00:05:30:00:25:a3 (Cisco)         ipfc
      0x030101    NL    10:00:00:00:77:99:60:2c (Interphase)
      0x030200    N     10:00:00:49:c9:28:c7:01
      0xec0001    NL    21:00:00:20:37:a6:be:14 (Seagate)       scsi-fcp
      Total number of entries = 4

      The following example shows how to display the name server database details for all VSANs:

      switch# show fcns database detail
      

      The following example shows how to display the name server database statistics for all VSANs:

      switch# show fcns statistics
      

      FDMI

      Cisco Nexus 5000 Series switches provide support for the Fabric-Device Management Interface (FDMI) functionality, as described in the FC-GS-4 standard. FDMI enables management of devices such as Fibre Channel host bus adapters (HBAs) through in-band communications. This addition complements the existing Fibre Channel name server and management server functions.

      Using the FDMI functionality, the switch software can extract the following management information about attached HBAs and host operating systems without installing proprietary host agents:

      • Manufacturer, model, and serial number

      • Node name and node symbolic name

      • Hardware, driver, and firmware versions

      • Host operating system (OS) name and version number

      All FDMI entries are stored in persistent storage and are retrieved when the FDMI process is started.

      Displaying FDMI

      The following example shows how to display all HBA details for a specified VSAN:

      switch# show fdmi database detail vsan 1
      

      RSCN

      The Registered State Change Notification (RSCN) is a Fibre Channel service that informs hosts about changes in the fabric. Hosts can receive this information by registering with the fabric controller (through a State Change Registration (SCR) request). These notifications provide a timely indication of one or more of the following events:

      • Disks joining or leaving the fabric

      • A name server registration change

      • A new zone enforcement

      • IP address change

      • Any other similar event that affects the operation of the host

      About RSCN Information

      A switch RSCN (SW-RSCN) is sent to registered hosts and to all reachable switches in the fabric.


      Note


      The switch sends an RSCN to notify registered nodes that a change has occurred. It is up to the nodes to query the name server again to obtain the new information. The details of the changed information are not delivered by the switch in the RSCN sent to the nodes.


      Displaying RSCN Information

      The following example shows how to display registered device information:

      switch# show rscn scr-table vsan 1
      

      Note


      The SCR table is not configurable. It is populated when hosts send SCR frames with RSCN information. If hosts do not receive RSCN information, then the show rscn scr-table command will not return entries.


      About the multi-pid Option

      If the RSCN multi-pid option is enabled, then RSCNs generated to the registered Nx ports may contain more than one affected port IDs. In this case, zoning rules are applied before putting the multiple affected port IDs together in a single RSCN. By enabling this option, you can reduce the number of RSCNs. For example, you have two disks (D1, D2) and a host (H) connected to switch 1. Host H is registered to receive RSCNs. D1, D2, and H belong to the same zone. If disks D1 and D2 are online at the same time, one of the following actions applies:

      • The multi-pid option is disabled on switch 1— Two RSCNs are generated to host H: one for the disk D1 and another for disk D2.

      • The multi-pid option is enabled on switch 1—A single RSCN is generated to host H, and the RSCN payload lists the affected port IDs (in this case, both D1 and D2).


      Note


      Some Nx ports may not support multi-pid RSCN payloads. If so, disable the RSCN multi-pid option.


      Configuring the multi-pid Option

      To configure the multi-pid option, perform this task:

      SUMMARY STEPS

        1.    switch# configuration terminal

        2.    switch(config)# rscn multi-pid vsan vsan-id


      DETAILED STEPS
         Command or ActionPurpose
        Step 1 switch# configuration terminal
         

        Enters configuration mode.

         
        Step 2 switch(config)# rscn multi-pid vsan vsan-id
         

        Sends RSCNs in a multi-pid format for the specified VSAN.

         

        Suppressing Domain Format SW-RSCNs

        A domain format SW-RSCN is sent whenever the local switch name or the local switch management IP address changes. This SW-RSCN is sent to all other domains and switches over the ISLs. The remote switches can issue GMAL and GIELN commands to the switch that initiated the domain format SW-RSCN to determine what changed. Domain format SW-RSCNs can cause problems with some non-Cisco SAN switches.

        To suppress the transmission of these SW-RSCNs over an ISL, perform this task:

        SUMMARY STEPS

          1.    switch# configuration terminal

          2.    switch(config)# rscn suppress domain-swrscn vsan vsan-id


        DETAILED STEPS
           Command or ActionPurpose
          Step 1 switch# configuration terminal
           

          Enters configuration mode.

           
          Step 2 switch(config)# rscn suppress domain-swrscn vsan vsan-id
           

          Suppresses transmission of domain format SW-RSCNs for the specified VSAN.

           

          Clearing RSCN Statistics

          You can clear the counters and later view the counters for a different set of events. For example, you can keep track of how many RSCNs or SW-RSCNs are generated on a particular event (such as ONLINE or OFFLINE events). You can use these statistics to monitor responses for each event in the VSAN.

          The following example shows how to clear the RSCN statistics for the specified VSAN:

          switch# clear rscn statistics vsan 1
          

          After clearing the RSCN statistics, you can view the cleared counters by entering the show rscn statistics command:

          switch# show rscn statistics vsan 1
          

          Configuring the RSCN Timer

          RSCN maintains a per VSAN event list queue, where the RSCN events are queued as they are generated. When the first RSCN event is queued, a per VSAN timer starts. Upon time-out, all the events are dequeued and coalesced RSCNs are sent to registered users. The default timer values minimize the number of coalesced RSCNs sent to registered users. Some deployments require smaller event timer values to track changes in the fabric.


          Note


          The RSCN timer value must be the same on all switches in the VSAN.



          Note


          Before performing a downgrade, make sure that you revert the RCSN timer value in your network to the default value. Failure to do so will disable the links across your VSANs and other devices.


          To configure the RSCN timer, perform this task:

          SUMMARY STEPS

            1.    switch# configuration terminal

            2.    switch(config)# rscn distribute

            3.    switch(config)# rscn event-tov timeout vsan vsan-id

            4.    switch(config)# no rscn event-tov timeout vsan vsan-id

            5.    switch(config)# rscn commit vsan vsan-id


          DETAILED STEPS
             Command or ActionPurpose
            Step 1 switch# configuration terminal
             

            Enters configuration mode.

             
            Step 2 switch(config)# rscn distribute
             

            Enables RSCN timer configuration distribution.

             
            Step 3 switch(config)# rscn event-tov timeout vsan vsan-id
             

            Sets the event time-out value in milliseconds for the specified VSAN. The range is 0 to 2000 milliseconds. Setting a zero (0) value disables the timer.

             
            Step 4 switch(config)# no rscn event-tov timeout vsan vsan-id
             

            Reverts to the default value (2000 milliseconds for Fibre Channel VSANs).

             
            Step 5 switch(config)# rscn commit vsan vsan-id
             

            Commits the RSCN timer configuration to be distributed to the switches in the specified VSAN.

             

            Verifying the RSCN Timer Configuration

            You verify the RSCN timer configuration using the show rscn event-tov vsan command. The following example shows how to clear the RSCN statistics for VSAN 10:

            switch# show rscn event-tov vsan 10
            
            Event TOV : 1000 ms

            RSCN Timer Configuration Distribution

            Because the timeout value for each switch is configured manually, a misconfiguration occurs when different switches time out at different times. This means different N-ports in a network can receive RSCNs at different times. Cisco Fabric Services (CFS) infrastructure alleviates this situation by automatically distributing the RSCN timer configuration information to all switches in a fabric. This also reduces the number of SW-RSCNs.

            RSCN supports two modes, distributed and nondistributed. In distributed mode, RSCN uses CFS to distribute configuration to all switches in the fabric. In nondistributed mode, only the configuration commands on the local switch are affected.


            Note


            All configuration commands are not distributed. Only the rscn event-tov tov vsan vsan command is distributed.



            Caution


            Only the RSCN timer configuration is distributed.


            The RSCN timer is registered with CFS during initialization and switchover. For high availability, if the RSCN timer distribution crashes and restarts or a switchover occurs, it resumes normal functionality from the state prior to the crash or switchover.

            Related Information
            Using Cisco Fabric Services

            Enabling RSCN Timer Configuration Distribution

            To enable RSCN timer configuration distribution, perform this task:

            SUMMARY STEPS

              1.    switch# configuration terminal

              2.    switch(config)# rscn distribute

              3.    switch(config)# no rscn distribute


            DETAILED STEPS
               Command or ActionPurpose
              Step 1 switch# configuration terminal
               

              Enters configuration mode.

               
              Step 2 switch(config)# rscn distribute
               

              Enables RSCN timer distribution.

               
              Step 3 switch(config)# no rscn distribute
               

              Disables (default) RSCN timer distribution.

               

              Locking the Fabric

              The first action that modifies the database creates the pending database and locks the feature in the VSAN. Once you lock the fabric, the following situations apply:

              • No other user can make any configuration changes to this feature.

              • A copy of the configuration database becomes the pending database along with the first active change.

              Committing the RSCN Timer Configuration Changes

              If you commit the changes made to the active database, the configuration is committed to all the switches in the fabric. On a successful commit, the configuration change is applied throughout the fabric and the lock is released.

              To commit RSCN timer configuration changes, perform this task:

              SUMMARY STEPS

                1.    switch# configuration terminal

                2.    switch(config)# rscn commit vsan timeout


              DETAILED STEPS
                 Command or ActionPurpose
                Step 1 switch# configuration terminal
                 

                Enters configuration mode.

                 
                Step 2 switch(config)# rscn commit vsan timeout
                 

                Commits the RSCN timer changes.

                 

                Discarding the RSCN Timer Configuration Changes

                If you discard (abort) the changes made to the pending database, the configuration database remains unaffected and the lock is released.

                To discard RSCN timer configuration changes, perform this task:

                SUMMARY STEPS

                  1.    switch# configuration terminal

                  2.    switch(config)# rscn abort vsan timeout


                DETAILED STEPS
                   Command or ActionPurpose
                  Step 1 switch# configuration terminal
                   

                  Enters configuration mode.

                   
                  Step 2 switch(config)# rscn abort vsan timeout
                   

                  Discards the RSCN timer changes and clears the pending configuration database.

                   

                  Clearing a Locked Session

                  If you have changed the RSCN timer configuration and have forgotten to release the lock by either committing or discarding the changes, an administrator can release the lock from any switch in the fabric. If the administrator performs this task, your changes to the pending database are discarded and the fabric lock is released.

                  The pending database is only available in the volatile directory and are subject to being discarded if the switch is restarted.

                  To use administrative privileges and release a locked DPVM session, use the clear rscn session vsan command in EXEC mode. The following example shows how to clear the RSCN session for VSAN 10:

                  switch# clear rscn session vsan 10
                  

                  Displaying RSCN Configuration Distribution Information

                  The following example shows how to display the registration status for RSCN configuration distribution:

                  switch# show cfs application name rscn
                  
                   Enabled        : Yes
                   Timeout        : 5s
                   Merge Capable  : Yes
                   Scope          : Logical

                  Note


                  A merge failure results when the RSCN timer values are different on the merging fabrics.


                  The following example shows how to display the set of configuration commands that would take effect when you commit the configuration:


                  Note


                  The pending database includes both existing and modified configuration.


                  switch# show rscn pending
                  
                  rscn event-tov 2000 ms vsan 1
                  rscn event-tov 2000 ms vsan 2
                  rscn event-tov 300 ms vsan 10

                  The following example shows how to display the difference between pending and active configurations:

                  switch# show rscn pending-diff vsan 10
                  
                  - rscn event-tov 2000 ms vsan 10
                  + rscn event-tov 300 ms vsan 10

                  Default RSCN Settings

                  The following table lists the default settings for RSCN.

                  Table 1  Default RSCN Settings

                  Parameters

                  Default

                  RSCN timer value

                  2000 milliseconds for Fibre Channel VSANs

                  RSCN timer configuration distribution

                  Disabled


                  Managing FLOGI, Name Server, FDMI, and RSCN Databases

                  Contents

                  Managing FLOGI, Name Server, FDMI, and RSCN Databases

                  This chapter contains the following sections:

                  Managing FLOGI, Name Server, FDMI, and RSCN Databases

                  Information About Fabric Login

                  In a Fibre Channel fabric, each host or disk requires an FC ID. Use the show flogi command to verify if a storage device is displayed in the fabric login (FLOGI) table as in the following examples. If the required device is displayed in the FLOGI table, the fabric login is successful. Examine the FLOGI database on a switch that is directly connected to the host HBA and connected ports.

                  The following example shows how to verify the storage devices in the fabric login (FLOGI) table:

                  switch# show flogi database
                  
                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  INTERFACE  VSAN    FCID            PORT NAME               NODE NAME
                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  fc2/3      1     0xb200e2  21:00:00:04:cf:27:25:2c  20:00:00:04:cf:27:25:2c
                  fc2/3      1     0xb200e1  21:00:00:04:cf:4c:18:61  20:00:00:04:cf:4c:18:61
                  fc2/3      1     0xb200d1  21:00:00:04:cf:4c:18:64  20:00:00:04:cf:4c:18:64
                  fc2/3      1     0xb200ce  21:00:00:04:cf:4c:16:fb  20:00:00:04:cf:4c:16:fb
                  fc2/3      1     0xb200cd  21:00:00:04:cf:4c:18:f7  20:00:00:04:cf:4c:18:f7
                  vfc3/1     2     0xb30100  10:00:00:05:30:00:49:63  20:00:00:05:30:00:49:5e
                  Total number of flogi = 6.

                  The following example shows how to verify the storage devices attached to a specific interface:

                  switch# show flogi database interface vfc1/1
                  
                  INTERFACE  VSAN    FCID            PORT NAME               NODE NAME 
                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  vfc1/1     1     0x870000  20:00:00:1b:21:06:58:bc  10:00:00:1b:21:06:58:bc     
                  Total number of flogi = 1.

                  The following example shows how to verify the storage devices associated with VSAN 1:

                  switch# show flogi database vsan 1
                  

                  Name Server Proxy

                  The name server functionality maintains a database containing the attributes for all hosts and storage devices in each VSAN. Name servers allow a database entry to be modified by a device that originally registered the information.

                  The proxy feature is useful when you need to modify (update or delete) the contents of a database entry that was previously registered by a different device.

                  About Registering Name Server Proxies

                  All name server registration requests come from the same port whose parameter is registered or changed. If it does not, then the request is rejected.

                  This authorization enables WWNs to register specific parameters for another node.

                  Registering Name Server Proxies

                  To register the name server proxy, perform this task:

                  SUMMARY STEPS

                    1.    switch# configuration terminal

                    2.    switch(config)#fcns proxy-port wwn-id vsan vsan-id


                  DETAILED STEPS
                     Command or ActionPurpose
                    Step 1 switch# configuration terminal
                     

                    Enters configuration mode.

                     
                    Step 2 switch(config)#fcns proxy-port wwn-id vsan vsan-id
                     

                    Configures a proxy port for the specified VSAN.

                     

                    About Rejecting Duplicate pWWNs

                    You can prevent malicious or accidental log in using another device’s pWWN by enabling the reject-duplicate-pwwn option. If you disable this option, these pWWNs are allowed to log in to the fabric and replace the first device in the name server database.

                    Rejecting Duplicate pWWNs

                    To reject duplicate pWWNs, perform this task:

                    SUMMARY STEPS

                      1.    switch# configuration terminal

                      2.    switch(config)# fcns reject-duplicate-pwwn vsan vsan-id

                      3.    switch(config)# no fcns reject-duplicate-pwwn vsan vsan-id


                    DETAILED STEPS
                       Command or ActionPurpose
                      Step 1 switch# configuration terminal
                       

                      Enters configuration mode.

                       
                      Step 2 switch(config)# fcns reject-duplicate-pwwn vsan vsan-id
                       

                      Logs out devices when they log into the fabric if the pWWNs already exist.

                       
                      Step 3 switch(config)# no fcns reject-duplicate-pwwn vsan vsan-id
                       

                      Overwrites the first device’s entry in the name server database with the new device having the same pWWN (default).

                       

                      About Name Server Database Entries

                      The name server stores name entries for all hosts in the FCNS database. The name server permits an Nx port to register attributes during a PLOGI (to the name server) to obtain attributes of other hosts. These attributes are deregistered when the Nx port logs out either explicitly or implicitly.

                      In a multiswitch fabric configuration, the name server instances running on each switch shares information in a distributed database. One instance of the name server process runs on each switch.

                      Displaying Name Server Database Entries

                      The following example shows how to display the name server database for all VSANs:

                      switch# show fcns database
                      
                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      FCID        TYPE  PWWN                    (VENDOR)        FC4-TYPE:FEATURE
                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      0x010000    N     50:06:0b:00:00:10:a7:80                   scsi-fcp fc-gs 
                      0x010001    N     10:00:00:05:30:00:24:63 (Cisco)           ipfc 
                      0x010002    N     50:06:04:82:c3:a0:98:52 (Company 1)       scsi-fcp 250 
                      0x010100    N     21:00:00:e0:8b:02:99:36 (Company A)       scsi-fcp 
                      0x020000    N     21:00:00:e0:8b:08:4b:20 (Company A)
                      0x020100    N     10:00:00:05:30:00:24:23 (Cisco)           ipfc 
                      0x020200    N     21:01:00:e0:8b:22:99:36 (Company A)       scsi-fcp 

                      The following example shows how to display the name server database and statistical information for a specified VSAN:

                      switch# show fcns database vsan 1
                      
                      VSAN 1:
                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      FCID        TYPE  PWWN                    (VENDOR)        FC4-TYPE:FEATURE
                      --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      0x030001    N     10:00:00:05:30:00:25:a3 (Cisco)         ipfc
                      0x030101    NL    10:00:00:00:77:99:60:2c (Interphase)
                      0x030200    N     10:00:00:49:c9:28:c7:01
                      0xec0001    NL    21:00:00:20:37:a6:be:14 (Seagate)       scsi-fcp
                      Total number of entries = 4

                      The following example shows how to display the name server database details for all VSANs:

                      switch# show fcns database detail
                      

                      The following example shows how to display the name server database statistics for all VSANs:

                      switch# show fcns statistics
                      

                      FDMI

                      Cisco Nexus 5000 Series switches provide support for the Fabric-Device Management Interface (FDMI) functionality, as described in the FC-GS-4 standard. FDMI enables management of devices such as Fibre Channel host bus adapters (HBAs) through in-band communications. This addition complements the existing Fibre Channel name server and management server functions.

                      Using the FDMI functionality, the switch software can extract the following management information about attached HBAs and host operating systems without installing proprietary host agents:

                      • Manufacturer, model, and serial number

                      • Node name and node symbolic name

                      • Hardware, driver, and firmware versions

                      • Host operating system (OS) name and version number

                      All FDMI entries are stored in persistent storage and are retrieved when the FDMI process is started.

                      Displaying FDMI

                      The following example shows how to display all HBA details for a specified VSAN:

                      switch# show fdmi database detail vsan 1
                      

                      RSCN

                      The Registered State Change Notification (RSCN) is a Fibre Channel service that informs hosts about changes in the fabric. Hosts can receive this information by registering with the fabric controller (through a State Change Registration (SCR) request). These notifications provide a timely indication of one or more of the following events:

                      • Disks joining or leaving the fabric

                      • A name server registration change

                      • A new zone enforcement

                      • IP address change

                      • Any other similar event that affects the operation of the host

                      About RSCN Information

                      A switch RSCN (SW-RSCN) is sent to registered hosts and to all reachable switches in the fabric.


                      Note


                      The switch sends an RSCN to notify registered nodes that a change has occurred. It is up to the nodes to query the name server again to obtain the new information. The details of the changed information are not delivered by the switch in the RSCN sent to the nodes.


                      Displaying RSCN Information

                      The following example shows how to display registered device information:

                      switch# show rscn scr-table vsan 1
                      

                      Note


                      The SCR table is not configurable. It is populated when hosts send SCR frames with RSCN information. If hosts do not receive RSCN information, then the show rscn scr-table command will not return entries.


                      About the multi-pid Option

                      If the RSCN multi-pid option is enabled, then RSCNs generated to the registered Nx ports may contain more than one affected port IDs. In this case, zoning rules are applied before putting the multiple affected port IDs together in a single RSCN. By enabling this option, you can reduce the number of RSCNs. For example, you have two disks (D1, D2) and a host (H) connected to switch 1. Host H is registered to receive RSCNs. D1, D2, and H belong to the same zone. If disks D1 and D2 are online at the same time, one of the following actions applies:

                      • The multi-pid option is disabled on switch 1— Two RSCNs are generated to host H: one for the disk D1 and another for disk D2.

                      • The multi-pid option is enabled on switch 1—A single RSCN is generated to host H, and the RSCN payload lists the affected port IDs (in this case, both D1 and D2).


                      Note


                      Some Nx ports may not support multi-pid RSCN payloads. If so, disable the RSCN multi-pid option.


                      Configuring the multi-pid Option

                      To configure the multi-pid option, perform this task:

                      SUMMARY STEPS

                        1.    switch# configuration terminal

                        2.    switch(config)# rscn multi-pid vsan vsan-id


                      DETAILED STEPS
                         Command or ActionPurpose
                        Step 1 switch# configuration terminal
                         

                        Enters configuration mode.

                         
                        Step 2 switch(config)# rscn multi-pid vsan vsan-id
                         

                        Sends RSCNs in a multi-pid format for the specified VSAN.

                         

                        Suppressing Domain Format SW-RSCNs

                        A domain format SW-RSCN is sent whenever the local switch name or the local switch management IP address changes. This SW-RSCN is sent to all other domains and switches over the ISLs. The remote switches can issue GMAL and GIELN commands to the switch that initiated the domain format SW-RSCN to determine what changed. Domain format SW-RSCNs can cause problems with some non-Cisco SAN switches.

                        To suppress the transmission of these SW-RSCNs over an ISL, perform this task:

                        SUMMARY STEPS

                          1.    switch# configuration terminal

                          2.    switch(config)# rscn suppress domain-swrscn vsan vsan-id


                        DETAILED STEPS
                           Command or ActionPurpose
                          Step 1 switch# configuration terminal
                           

                          Enters configuration mode.

                           
                          Step 2 switch(config)# rscn suppress domain-swrscn vsan vsan-id
                           

                          Suppresses transmission of domain format SW-RSCNs for the specified VSAN.

                           

                          Clearing RSCN Statistics

                          You can clear the counters and later view the counters for a different set of events. For example, you can keep track of how many RSCNs or SW-RSCNs are generated on a particular event (such as ONLINE or OFFLINE events). You can use these statistics to monitor responses for each event in the VSAN.

                          The following example shows how to clear the RSCN statistics for the specified VSAN:

                          switch# clear rscn statistics vsan 1
                          

                          After clearing the RSCN statistics, you can view the cleared counters by entering the show rscn statistics command:

                          switch# show rscn statistics vsan 1
                          

                          Configuring the RSCN Timer

                          RSCN maintains a per VSAN event list queue, where the RSCN events are queued as they are generated. When the first RSCN event is queued, a per VSAN timer starts. Upon time-out, all the events are dequeued and coalesced RSCNs are sent to registered users. The default timer values minimize the number of coalesced RSCNs sent to registered users. Some deployments require smaller event timer values to track changes in the fabric.


                          Note


                          The RSCN timer value must be the same on all switches in the VSAN.



                          Note


                          Before performing a downgrade, make sure that you revert the RCSN timer value in your network to the default value. Failure to do so will disable the links across your VSANs and other devices.


                          To configure the RSCN timer, perform this task:

                          SUMMARY STEPS

                            1.    switch# configuration terminal

                            2.    switch(config)# rscn distribute

                            3.    switch(config)# rscn event-tov timeout vsan vsan-id

                            4.    switch(config)# no rscn event-tov timeout vsan vsan-id

                            5.    switch(config)# rscn commit vsan vsan-id


                          DETAILED STEPS
                             Command or ActionPurpose
                            Step 1 switch# configuration terminal
                             

                            Enters configuration mode.

                             
                            Step 2 switch(config)# rscn distribute
                             

                            Enables RSCN timer configuration distribution.

                             
                            Step 3 switch(config)# rscn event-tov timeout vsan vsan-id
                             

                            Sets the event time-out value in milliseconds for the specified VSAN. The range is 0 to 2000 milliseconds. Setting a zero (0) value disables the timer.

                             
                            Step 4 switch(config)# no rscn event-tov timeout vsan vsan-id
                             

                            Reverts to the default value (2000 milliseconds for Fibre Channel VSANs).

                             
                            Step 5 switch(config)# rscn commit vsan vsan-id
                             

                            Commits the RSCN timer configuration to be distributed to the switches in the specified VSAN.

                             

                            Verifying the RSCN Timer Configuration

                            You verify the RSCN timer configuration using the show rscn event-tov vsan command. The following example shows how to clear the RSCN statistics for VSAN 10:

                            switch# show rscn event-tov vsan 10
                            
                            Event TOV : 1000 ms

                            RSCN Timer Configuration Distribution

                            Because the timeout value for each switch is configured manually, a misconfiguration occurs when different switches time out at different times. This means different N-ports in a network can receive RSCNs at different times. Cisco Fabric Services (CFS) infrastructure alleviates this situation by automatically distributing the RSCN timer configuration information to all switches in a fabric. This also reduces the number of SW-RSCNs.

                            RSCN supports two modes, distributed and nondistributed. In distributed mode, RSCN uses CFS to distribute configuration to all switches in the fabric. In nondistributed mode, only the configuration commands on the local switch are affected.


                            Note


                            All configuration commands are not distributed. Only the rscn event-tov tov vsan vsan command is distributed.



                            Caution


                            Only the RSCN timer configuration is distributed.


                            The RSCN timer is registered with CFS during initialization and switchover. For high availability, if the RSCN timer distribution crashes and restarts or a switchover occurs, it resumes normal functionality from the state prior to the crash or switchover.

                            Related Information

                            Enabling RSCN Timer Configuration Distribution

                            To enable RSCN timer configuration distribution, perform this task:

                            SUMMARY STEPS

                              1.    switch# configuration terminal

                              2.    switch(config)# rscn distribute

                              3.    switch(config)# no rscn distribute


                            DETAILED STEPS
                               Command or ActionPurpose
                              Step 1 switch# configuration terminal
                               

                              Enters configuration mode.

                               
                              Step 2 switch(config)# rscn distribute
                               

                              Enables RSCN timer distribution.

                               
                              Step 3 switch(config)# no rscn distribute
                               

                              Disables (default) RSCN timer distribution.

                               

                              Locking the Fabric

                              The first action that modifies the database creates the pending database and locks the feature in the VSAN. Once you lock the fabric, the following situations apply:

                              • No other user can make any configuration changes to this feature.

                              • A copy of the configuration database becomes the pending database along with the first active change.

                              Committing the RSCN Timer Configuration Changes

                              If you commit the changes made to the active database, the configuration is committed to all the switches in the fabric. On a successful commit, the configuration change is applied throughout the fabric and the lock is released.

                              To commit RSCN timer configuration changes, perform this task:

                              SUMMARY STEPS

                                1.    switch# configuration terminal

                                2.    switch(config)# rscn commit vsan timeout


                              DETAILED STEPS
                                 Command or ActionPurpose
                                Step 1 switch# configuration terminal
                                 

                                Enters configuration mode.

                                 
                                Step 2 switch(config)# rscn commit vsan timeout
                                 

                                Commits the RSCN timer changes.

                                 

                                Discarding the RSCN Timer Configuration Changes

                                If you discard (abort) the changes made to the pending database, the configuration database remains unaffected and the lock is released.

                                To discard RSCN timer configuration changes, perform this task:

                                SUMMARY STEPS

                                  1.    switch# configuration terminal

                                  2.    switch(config)# rscn abort vsan timeout


                                DETAILED STEPS
                                   Command or ActionPurpose
                                  Step 1 switch# configuration terminal
                                   

                                  Enters configuration mode.

                                   
                                  Step 2 switch(config)# rscn abort vsan timeout
                                   

                                  Discards the RSCN timer changes and clears the pending configuration database.

                                   

                                  Clearing a Locked Session

                                  If you have changed the RSCN timer configuration and have forgotten to release the lock by either committing or discarding the changes, an administrator can release the lock from any switch in the fabric. If the administrator performs this task, your changes to the pending database are discarded and the fabric lock is released.

                                  The pending database is only available in the volatile directory and are subject to being discarded if the switch is restarted.

                                  To use administrative privileges and release a locked DPVM session, use the clear rscn session vsan command in EXEC mode. The following example shows how to clear the RSCN session for VSAN 10:

                                  switch# clear rscn session vsan 10
                                  

                                  Displaying RSCN Configuration Distribution Information

                                  The following example shows how to display the registration status for RSCN configuration distribution:

                                  switch# show cfs application name rscn
                                  
                                   Enabled        : Yes
                                   Timeout        : 5s
                                   Merge Capable  : Yes
                                   Scope          : Logical

                                  Note


                                  A merge failure results when the RSCN timer values are different on the merging fabrics.


                                  The following example shows how to display the set of configuration commands that would take effect when you commit the configuration:


                                  Note


                                  The pending database includes both existing and modified configuration.


                                  switch# show rscn pending
                                  
                                  rscn event-tov 2000 ms vsan 1
                                  rscn event-tov 2000 ms vsan 2
                                  rscn event-tov 300 ms vsan 10

                                  The following example shows how to display the difference between pending and active configurations:

                                  switch# show rscn pending-diff vsan 10
                                  
                                  - rscn event-tov 2000 ms vsan 10
                                  + rscn event-tov 300 ms vsan 10

                                  Default RSCN Settings

                                  The following table lists the default settings for RSCN.

                                  Table 1  Default RSCN Settings

                                  Parameters

                                  Default

                                  RSCN timer value

                                  2000 milliseconds for Fibre Channel VSANs

                                  RSCN timer configuration distribution

                                  Disabled