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Updated:January 5, 2015
Bias-Free Language
The documentation set for this product strives to use bias-free language. For the purposes of this documentation set, bias-free is defined as language that does not imply discrimination based on age, disability, gender, racial identity, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and intersectionality. Exceptions may be present in the documentation due to language that is hardcoded in the user interfaces of the product software, language used based on RFP documentation, or language that is used by a referenced third-party product. Learn more about how Cisco is using Inclusive Language.
The Cisco MDS 9000 Series of Multilayer Directors and Fabric Switches provides industry-leading availability, scalability, security, and management, allowing you to deploy high-performance storage-area networks with lowest total cost of ownership. Layering a rich set of intelligent features onto a high-performance, protocol agnostic switch fabric, the Cisco MDS 9000 Series addresses the stringent requirements of large data center storage environments: uncompromising high availability, security, scalability, ease of management, and seamless integration of new technologies.
Cisco MDS 9000 NX-OS software powers the award-winning Cisco MDS 9000 Series Multilayer Switches. It is designed to create a strategic SAN platform with superior reliability, performance, scalability, and features. Formerly known as Cisco SAN-OS, Cisco MDS 9000 NX-OS software is fully interoperable with earlier Cisco SAN-OS versions and enhances hardware platform and module support.
Components Supported
Table 1 lists the NX-OS software part numbers and hardware components supported by the Cisco MDS 9000 Series.
Table 1 Cisco MDS 9000 Series Supported Software and Hardware Components
Component
Part Number
Description
Applicable Product
Software
M97S3K9-6.2.11
MDS 9700, NX-OS software
MDS 9700 Series only
M95S2K9-6.2.11
MDS 9500, NX-OS software
MDS 9500 Series only
M92S5K9-6.2.11
MDS 9250i NX-OS software
MDS 9250i Switch
M92S2K9-6.2.11
MDS 9222i, NX-OS software
MDS 9222i Switch
M91S3K9-6.2.11
MDS 9148, NX-OS software
MDS 9148 Switch
M91S5K9-6.2.11
MDS 9148S, NX-OS software
MDS 9148S Switch
Licenses
M9500SSE184K9z
Storage Services Enabler License for one MSM-18/4 module
MDS 9500 Series only
M9200ENT1K9
Cisco MDS 9200 Series Enterprise Package
MDS 9200 Series only
DCNM-SAN-M92-K9
Cisco Prime Data Center Network Manager
MDS 9250i Switch only
M9250IIOA
Cisco MDS 9250i I/O Accelerator Services package
MDS 9250i Switch only
M9250IDMMK9
Cisco MDS 9250i Data Mobility Manager package
MDS 9250i Switch only
M9250IDMMT6M
Cisco MDS 9250i DMM License - 6-month period M9200FIC1K9 Cisco MDS 9200 Series Mainframe Package
MDS 9250i Switch only
M9200XRC
Cisco MDS 9200 XRC Acceleration Package for IBM series z, spare
MDS 9250i Switch only
M9222ISSE1K9
Storage Services Enabler License
MDS 9222i Switch only
M9200SSE184K9
Storage Services Enabler License for one MSM-18/4 module
MDS 9200 Series only
M95DMM184K9
Data Mobility Manager License for one MSM-18/4 module
MDS 9500 Series only
M9222IDMMK9
Data Mobility Manager License for Cisco MDS 9222i
MDS 9222i Switch
M92DMM184K9
Data Mobility Manager License for one MSM-18/4 module
MDS 9200 Series only
M95DMM184TSK9
Data Mobility Manager for one MSM-18/4 module — Time limited to 180 days only
MDS 9500 Series only
M9222IDMMTSK9
Data Mobility Manager — Time limited to 180 days only
MDS 9222i Switch only
M92DMM184TSK9
Data Mobility Manager for one MSM-18/4 module — Time limited to 180 days only
MDS 9200 Series only
M92SSESSNK9
Cisco Storage Services Enabler License for SSN-16 (1 engine)
MDS 9200 Series only
M95SSESSNK9
Cisco Storage Services Enabler License for SSN-16 (1 engine)
MDS 9500 Series only
M92SMESSNK9
Cisco Storage Media Encryption License for SSN-16 (1 engine)
MDS 9200 Series only
M95SMESSNK9
Cisco Storage Media Encryption License for SSN-16 (1 engine)
MDS 9500 Series only
M92IOASSN
Cisco I/O Accelerator License for SSN-16 (1 engine)
MDS 9200 Series only
M95IOASSN
Cisco I/O Accelerator License for SSN-16 (1 engine)
MDS 9500 Series only
M92IOA184
Cisco I/O Accelerator License for MSM-18/4
MDS 9200 Series only
M95IOA184
Cisco I/O Accelerator License for MSM-18/4
MDS 9500 Series only
M9222IIOA
Cisco I/O Accelerator License for Cisco MDS 9222i base switch
MDS 9222i Switch only
M92EXTSSNK9
Cisco SAN Extension License for SSN-16 (1 engine)
MDS 9200 Series only
M95EXTSSNK9
Cisco SAN Extension License for SSN-16 (1 engine)
MDS 9500 Series only
M9200XRC
Cisco XRC Acceleration
MDS 9200 Series only
M9500XRC
Cisco XRC Acceleration
MDS 9500 Series only
Chassis
DS-C9710
Cisco MDS 9710 Multilayer Director (10-slot multilayer director with 2 half-width slots for Supervisor modules, with 8 slots available for switching modules — SFPs sold separately)
MDS 9710 switch
DS-C9706
Cisco MDS 9706 Multilayer Director (6-slot multilayer director with 2 half-width slots for Supervisor modules, with 4 slots available for switching modules — SFPs sold separately)
MDS 9706 switch
DS-C9513
Cisco MDS 9513 Multilayer Director (13-slot multilayer director with 2 slots for Supervisor modules, with 11 slots available for switching modules — SFPs sold separately)
MDS 9513 Switch
DS-C9509
Cisco MDS 9509 Multilayer Director (9-slot multilayer director with 2 slots for Supervisor modules, with 7 slots available for switching modules — SFPs sold separately)
MDS 9509 Switch
DS-C9506
Cisco MDS 9506 Multilayer Director (6-slot multilayer director with 2 slots for Supervisor modules, with 4 slots available for switching modules — SFPs sold separately)
MDS 9506 Switch
DS-C9250I-K9
The Cisco MDS 9250i offers up to forty 16-Gbps Fibre Channel ports, two 10 Gigabit Ethernet IP storage services ports, and eight 10 Gigabit Ethernet Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) ports in a fixed two-rack-unit (2RU) form factor.
MDS 9250i Switch
DS-C9222i-K9
Cisco MDS 9222i Multilayer Fabric Switch (3-rack-unit (3RU) semimodular multilayer fabric switch with 18 4-Gbps Fibre Channel ports, 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports, and a modular expansion slot for Cisco MDS 9000 Series Switching and Services modules)
Cisco MDS 9000 Series 16-Port Storage Services Node (SSN-16) — 16 fixed 1-Gbps Ethernet ports, plus 4 service engines that support 16-Gigabit Ethernet IP storage services ports.
MDS 9500 Series
MDS 9222i Switch
DS-X9304-18K9
Cisco MDS 9000 18/4-Port Multiservice Module (MSM-18/4) — 18-port, 4-Gbps Fibre Channel plus 4-port Gigabit Ethernet IP services and switching module with SFP LC connectors
MDS 9500 Series
MDS 9200 Series
External crossbar module
DS-X9710-FAB1
Cisco MDS 9710 Crossbar Switching Fabric 1 Module
MDS 9710 Switch
DS-X9706-FAB1
Cisco MDS 9706 Crossbar Switching Fabric 1 Module
MDS 9706 Switch
DS-13SLT-FAB2
Cisco MDS 9513 Switching Fabric 2 Module
MDS 9513 Switch
DS-13SLT-FAB3
Cisco MDS 9513 Switching Fabric 3 Module
MDS 9513 Switch
Power Supplies
DS-CAC-300W
300W AC power supply
MDS 9100 Series
DS-C24-300AC
300W AC power supply
MDS 9124 Switch
DS-CAC-845W
845W AC power supply for Cisco MDS 9200 Series
MDS9200 Series
DS-C50I-300AC
300W AC power supply
MDS 9250i Switch
DS-CAC-3000W
3000W AC power supply for Cisco MDS 9509
MDS 9509 Switch
DS-CAC-2500W
2500W AC power supply
MDS 9509 Switch
DS-CDC-2500W
2500W DC power supply
MDS 9509 Switch
DS-CAC-6000W
6000W AC power supply for Cisco MDS 9513
MDS 9513 Switch
DS-CAC-1900W
1900W AC power supply for Cisco MDS 9506
MDS 9506 Switch
9700 3000W AC
3000W AC power supply for Cisco MDS 9700 Series
MDS 9700 Series
DS-CDC97-3KW
3000W DC power supply for Cisco MDS 9700 Series
MDS 9700 Series
CompactFlash
MEM-MDS-FLD512M
External 512-MB CompactFlash memory for supervisor module
MDS 9500 Series
Port Analyzer Adapter
DS-PAA-2, DS-PAA
Standalone Fibre Channel-to-Ethernet adapter that allows for simple, transparent analysis of Fibre Channel traffic in a switched fabric
MDS 9000 Series
Smart Card Reader
DS-SCR-K9
Storage Media Encryption (SME) Smart Card Reader
MDS 9000 Series
Smart Card
DS-SC-K9
SME Smart Card
MDS 9000 Series
Table 2 lists the part numbers and optical components supported by the Cisco MDS 9000 Series.
8.Requires DS-13SLT-FAB3 or DS-13SLT-FAB2 in the MDS 9513.
9.Requires the Supervisor-2A module.
10.Requires DS-13SLT-FAB2 in the MDS 9513.
Software Download Process
Use the software download procedure to upgrade to a later version, or downgrade to an earlier version, of an operating system. This section describes the software download process for the Cisco MDS NX-OS software and includes the following topics:
To determine the version of Cisco MDS NX-OS or SAN-OS software currently running on a Cisco MDS 9000 Series switch using the CLI, log in to the switch and enter the show version EXEC command.
To determine the version of Cisco MDS NX-OS or SAN-OS software currently running on a Cisco MDS 9000 Series switch using Cisco DCNM for SAN, view the Switches tab in the Information pane, locate the switch using the IP address, logical name, or WWN, and check its version in the Release column.
Determining Software Version Compatibility
Table 7 lists the software versions that are compatible in a mixed SAN environment, the minimum software versions that are supported, and the versions that have been tested. We recommend that you use the latest software release supported by your vendor for all Cisco MDS 9000 Series products.
Table 7 Software Release Compatibility
Cisco NX-OS Software
Minimum NX-OS or SAN-OS Release
Tested NX-OS and SAN-OS Release
NX-OS Release 6.2(11)
NX-OS Release 6.2(x)
NX-OS Release 6.2(x)
NX-OS Release 5.2(x)
NX-OS Release 5.2(x)
NX-OS Release 5.0(1a) and later
NX-OS Release 5.0(1a) and later
NX-OS Release 4.2(3) and later
NX-OS Release 4.2(3) and later
SAN-OS Release 3.3(5) and later
SAN-OS Release 3.3(5) and later
Downloading Software
The Cisco MDS NX-OS software is designed for mission-critical high-availability environments. To realize the benefits of nondisruptive upgrades on the Cisco MDS 9700 Directors, Cisco MDS 9500 Directors, we highly recommend that you install dual supervisor modules.
To download the latest Cisco MDS NX-OS software, access the Software Center at this URL:
See the following sections in this release notes for details on how you can nondisruptively upgrade your Cisco MDS 9000 switch. Using the install all command from the CLI, or using Cisco DCNM for SAN to perform the downgrade, enables the compatibility check. The check indicates if the upgrade can happen nondisruptively or disruptively depending on the current configuration of your switch and the reason.
2 yes disruptive rolling Hitless upgrade is not supported
3 yes disruptive rolling Hitless upgrade is not supported
4 yes non-disruptive rolling
5 yes non-disruptive reset
6 yes non-disruptive reset
The show incompatibility system bootflash:system image filename command determines which additional features need to be disabled.
Note If you would like to request a copy of the source code under the terms of either GPL or LGPL, please send an e-mail to mds-software-disclosure@cisco.com.
Selecting the Software Image for an MDS 9148 Switch
The system and kickstart image that you use for an MDS 9148 switch is shown in Table 8.
Table 8 Software Images for MDS 9148 Switches
Cisco MDS 9148 Switch
Naming Convention
MDS 9148, Cisco MDS 8Gb Fabric Switch for HP c-Class BladeSystem
Filename begins with m9100-s3ek9
Selecting the Software Image for an MDS 9148S Switch
The system and kickstart image that you use for an MDS 9148S switch is shown in Table 8.
Table 9 Software Images for MDS 9148S Switches
Cisco MDS 9148S Switch
Naming Convention
MDS 9148S
Filename begins with m9100-s5ek9
Selecting the Software Image for an MDS 9222i Switch
The system and kickstart image that you use for an MDS 9222i switch is shown in Table 10.
Table 10 Software Images for MDS 9222i Switch
Cisco MDS 92221 Switch
Naming Convention
MDS 9222i
Filename begins with m9200-s2ek9
Selecting the Software Image for an MDS 9250i Switch
The system and kickstart image that you use for an MDS 9250i switch is shown in Table 11.
Table 11 Software Images for MDS 9250i Switch
Cisco MDS 9250i Switch
Naming Convention
MDS 9250i
Filename begins with m9250-s5ek9
Selecting the Software Image for an MDS 9500 Series Switch
The system and kickstart image that you use for an MDS 9500 Series switch with a Supervisor-2 or Supervisor-2A module is shown in Table 12. Cisco NX-OS Release 6.x, Release 5.x, and Release 4.x do not support the Supervisor-1 module.
Table 12 Software Images for MDS 9500 Series Switches
Cisco MDS 9500 Series Switch Type
Naming Convention
MDS 9513, 9509, and 9506
Filename begins with m9500-sf2ek9
Use the show module command to display the type of supervisor module in the switch. The following is sample output from the show module command on a Supervisor-2 module:
Selecting the Software Image for an MDS 9700 Series Switch
The system and kickstart image that you use for an MDS 9700 Series switch is shown in Table 13.
Table 13 Software Images for MDS 9700 Series Switch
Cisco MDS 9710 Switch
Naming Convention
MDS 9710 and 9706
Filename begins with m9700-sf3ek9
NPE Software Images
No payload encryption (NPE) images are available with Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(11) software. The NPE images are intended for countries who have import restrictions on products that encrypt payload data.
To differentiate an NPE image from the standard software image, the letters npe are included in the image name as follows:
m9100-s3ek9-kickstart-mz-npe.6.2.11.bin
m9100-s3ek9-mz-npe.6.2.11.bin
m9100-s5ek9-kickstart-mz-npe.6.2.11.bin
m9100-s5ek9-mz-npe.6.2.11.bin
m9200-s2ek9-kickstart-mz-npe.6.2.11.bin
m9200-s2ek9-mz-npe.6.2.11.bin
m9250-s5ek9-kickstart-mz-npe.6.2.11.bin
m9250-s5ek9-mz-npe.6.2.11.bin
m9500-sf2ek9-kickstart-mz-npe.6.2.11.bin
m9500-sf2ek9-mz-npe.6.2.11.bin
m9700-sf3ek9-kickstart-mz-npe.6.2.11.bin
m9700-sf3ek9-mz-npe.6.2.11.bin
When downloading software, ensure that you select the correct software images for you Cisco MDS 9000 Series switch. Nondisruptive software upgrades or downgrades between NPE images and non-NPE images are not supported.
Upgrading Your Cisco MDS NX-OS Software Image
This section lists the guidelines recommended for upgrading your Cisco MDS NX-OS software image and includes the following topics:
Note Before you begin the upgrade process, review the list of chassis and modules that Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(11) supports. See the “MDS 9000 Chassis and Module Support” section.
For detailed instructions for performing a software upgrade using Cisco DCNM, see the Cisco DCNM Release Notes, Release 6.2, which is available from the following website:
Follow these general guidelines before performing a software upgrade:
Review the nondisruptive upgrade path to Release 6.2(11) in Table 14.
Install and configure dual supervisor modules before the upgrade.
Issue the show install all impact upgrade-image CLI command to determine if your upgrade will be nondisruptive.
Be aware that some features impact whether an upgrade is disruptive or nondisruptive:
– Fibre Channel Ports : Fibre Channel ports can be nondisruptively upgraded without affecting traffic on the ports. See Table 14 for the nondisruptive upgrade path for all NX-OS and SAN-OS releases.
– Gigabit Ethernet Ports : Traffic on GigabitEthernet/IPStorage ports is disrupted during an upgrade or downgrade. This includes the Gigabit Ethernet ports on the MSM-18/4 module, the MDS 9222i switch, the MDS 9000 16-Port Storage Services Node (SSN-16), and the IPStorage ports in MDS 9250i. Those nodes that are members of VSANs traversing an FCIP ISL are impacted, and a fabric reconfiguration occurs. iSCSI initiators connected to the Gigabit Ethernet ports lose connectivity to iSCSI targets while the downgrade is in progress.
Note In addition to these guidelines, you may want to review the information in the “Limitations and Restrictions” section prior to a software upgrade to determine if a feature may possibly behave differently following the upgrade.
Note Upgrading from Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(9b) to Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(11x) is not supported due to the introduction of a new feature to support longer role names (a maximum of 64 characters) in the Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(9b).
Nondisruptive Upgrade Paths
Use Table 14 to determine your nondisruptive upgrade path to Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(11). Find the image release number you are currently using in the “Current Release” column of the table and follow the steps in the order specified to perform the upgrade.
Note The software upgrade information in Table 14 applies only to Fibre Channel switching traffic. Upgrading system software disrupts IP traffic and intelligent services traffic.
Nondisruptive Upgrade Path and Ordered Upgrade Steps
NX-OS:
All 6.2(x) and 5.2(x) releases
Upgrade directly to NX-OS Release 6.2(11).
Note Upgrading from Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(9b) to Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(11x) is not supported due to the introduction of a new feature to support longer role names (a maximum of 64 characters) in the Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(9b).
All 5.0(x) releases
1. Upgrade to NX-OS Release 5.2(8e).
2. Upgrade to NX-OS Release 6.2(11).
All 4.2(x) releases and 4.1(x) releases
1. Upgrade to NX-OS Release 5.0(8a).
2. Upgrade to NX-OS Release 5.2(8e).
3. Upgrade to NX-OS Release 6.2(11).
SAN-OS:
Release 3.3(2), 3.3(3), 3.3(4x), and 3.3(5x).
1. Upgrade to NX-OS Release 4.2(9).
2. Upgrade to NX-OS Release 5.0(8a).
3. Upgrade to NX-OS Release 5.2(8e).
4. Upgrade to NX-OS Release 6.2(11).
Release 3.3(1c), all 3.2(x), 3.1(x), and 3.0(x) releases)
1. Upgrade to SAN-OS Release 3.3(5b).
2. Upgrade to NX-OS Release 4.2(9).
3. Upgrade to NX-OS Release 5.0(8a).
4. Upgrade to NX-OS Release 5.2(8e).
5. Upgrade to NX-OS Release 6.2(11).
Release 2.1(3), 2.1(2e), 2.1(2d), and 2.1(2b)
1. Upgrade to SAN-OS Release 3.3(1c).
2. Upgrade to SAN-OS Release 3.3(5b).
3. Upgrade to NX-OS Release 4.2(9).
4. Upgrade to NX-OS Release 5.0(8a).
5. Upgrade to NX-OS Release 5.2(8e).
6. Upgrade to NX-OS Release 6.2(11).
Release 2.1(2), 2.1(1b), 2.1(1a), and 2.0(x)
1. Upgrade to SAN-OS Release 2.1(2b), 2.1(2d), 2.1(2e), or 2.1(3)
2. Upgrade to SAN-OS Release 3.3(1c).
3. Upgrade to SAN-OS Release 3.3(5b).
4. Upgrade to NX-OS Release 4.2(9).
5. Upgrade to NX-OS Release 5.0(8a).
6. Upgrade to NX-OS Release 5.2(x).
7. Upgrade to NX-OS Release 6.2(11).
Release 1.x
1. Upgrade to SAN-OS Release 1.3(4a).
2. Upgrade to SAN-OS Release 2.1(2b).
3. Upgrade to SAN-OS Release 3.3(1c).
4. Upgrade to SAN-OS Release 3.3(5b).
5. Upgrade to NX-OS Release 4.2(9).
6. Upgrade to NX-OS Release 5.0(8a).
7. Upgrade to NX-OS Release 5.2(x).
8. Upgrade to NX-OS Release 6.2(11).
FICON Supported Releases and Upgrade Paths
Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(11) is not a FICON-certified release.
Table 15 lists the SAN-OS and NX-OS releases that are certified for FICON. Refer to the specific release notes for FICON upgrade path information.
Table 15 FICON Supported Releases
FICON Supported Releases
NX-OS
Release 6.2(5a) Release 5.2(2)
Release 4.2(7b)
Release 4.2(1b)
Release 4.1(1c)
SAN-OS
Release 3.3(1c)
Release 3.2(2c)
Release 3.0(3b)
Release 3.0(3)
Release 3.0(2)
Release 2.0(2b)
Use Table 16 to determine the nondisruptive upgrade path for FICON-certified releases. Find the image release number you are currently using in the Current Release with FICON Enabled column of the table and follow the recommended path.
Table 16 FICON Nondisruptive Upgrade Path
Current Release with FICON Enabled
Upgrade Path
NX-OS Release 5.2(2)
You can nondisruptively upgrade directly to NX-OS Release 6.2(5a)
NX-OS Release 4.2(7b)
You can nondisruptively upgrade directly to NX-OS Release 5.2(2).
NX-OS Release 4.2(1b)
You can nondisruptively upgrade directly to NX-OS Release 4.2(7b).
NX-OS Release 4.1(1c)
You can nondisruptively upgrade directly to NX-OS Release 4.2(1b).
SAN-OS Release 3.3(1c)
You can nondisruptively upgrade directly to NX-OS Release 4.2(1b).
SAN-OS Release 3.2(2c), 3.0(3b), 3.0(3), and 3.0(2).
First upgrade to SAN-OS Release 3.3(1c), and then upgrade to NX-OS Release 4.2(1b).
Downgrading Your Cisco MDS SAN-OS Software Image
This section lists the guidelines recommended for downgrading your Cisco MDS SAN-OS software image and includes the following topics:
Follow these general guidelines before you perform a software downgrade:
Issue the system no acl-adjacency-sharing EXEC command to disable ACL adjacency usage on Generation 2 modules (Generation 2 modules or switches can have one or more ports in port groups that share common resources such as bandwidth and buffer credits.). If this command fails, reduce the number of zones, IVR zones, TE ports, or a combination of these in the system and issue the command again.
Disable all features not supported by the downgrade release. Use the show incompatibility system downgrade-image command to determine what you need to disable.
Use the show install all impact downgrade-image command to determine if your downgrade will be nondisruptive.
Be aware that some features impact whether a downgrade is disruptive or nondisruptive:
– Fibre Channel Ports : Fibre Channel ports can be nondisruptively downgraded without affecting traffic on the ports. See Table 17 for the nondisruptive downgrade path for all SAN-OS releases.
– Gigabit Ethernet Ports : Traffic on GigabitEthernet/IPStorage ports is disrupted during a downgrade. This includes the Gigabit Ethernet ports on the MSM-18/4 module, the MDS 9222i switch, the MDS 9000 16-Port Storage Services Node (SSN-16), and the IPStorage ports in MDS 9250i. Those nodes that are members of VSANs traversing an FCIP ISL are impacted, and a fabric reconfiguration occurs. iSCSI initiators connected to the Gigabit Ethernet ports lose connectivity to iSCSI targets while the downgrade is in progress.
Use Table 17 to determine the nondisruptive downgrade path from Cisco NX-OS Release 6.2(11). Find the NX-OS or SAN-OS image that you want to downgrade to in the To SAN-OS Release column of the table and follow the steps in the order specified to perform the downgrade.
Note The software downgrade information in Table 17 applies only to Fibre Channel switching traffic. Downgrading system software disrupts IP and intelligent services traffic.
Note Downgrading from Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(11x) to Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(9b) is not supported due to the introduction of a new feature to support longer role names (a maximum of 64 characters) in the Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(9b).
Table 17 Nondisruptive Downgrade Path from NX-OS Release 6.2(11)
To NX-OS or SAN-OS Release
Nondisruptive Downgrade Path and Ordered Downgrade Steps
NX-OS:
All 6.2(x) and 5.2(x) releases
Downgrade directly from NX-OS Release 6.2(11).
Note Downgrading from Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(11x) to Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(9b) is not supported due to the introduction of a new feature to support longer role names (a maximum of 64 characters) in the Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(9b).
All 5.0(x) releases
1. Downgrade from NX-OS Release 6.2(11).
2. Downgrade to NX-OS Release 5.2(8e).
3. Downgrade to NX-OS Release 5.0(x).
All 4.2(x) and 4.1(x) releases
1. Downgrade from NX-OS Release 6.2(11).
2. Downgrade to NX-OS Release 5.2(8e).
3. Downgrade to NX-OS Release 5.0(x).
4. Downgrade to NX-OS Release 4.2(x) or 4.1(x).
FICON Downgrade Paths
Table 18 lists the downgrade paths for FICON releases. Find the image release number that you want to downgrade to in the To Release with FICON Enabled column of the table and follow the recommended downgrade path.
Table 18 FICON Downgrade Path
To Release with FICON Enabled
Downgrade Path
NX-OS Release 5.2(2)
You can nondisruptively downgrade directly from NX-OS Release 6.2(5a)
NX-OS Release 4.2(7b)
You can nondisruptively downgrade directly from NX-OS Release 5.2(2).
NX-OS Release 4.2(1b)
You can nondisruptively downgrade directly from NX-OS Release 4.2(7b).
NX-OS Release 4.1(1c)
You can nondisruptively downgrade directly from NX-OS Release 4.2(1b).
New Hardware Features in Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(11)
There are no new hardware features introduced in Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(11).
New Software Features in Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(11)
This section briefly describes the new software features introduced in Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(11).
FC Scale Monitoring
Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(11) introduces default and configurable thresholds for some of the scalability metrics listed below. Syslog messages are generated using Embedded Event Manager (EEM policies) to alert users whenever these thresholds are exceeded.
– Logins per port, line-card, switch and fabric
– Zone database size, Zone-sets, Zones, Zone members
– FCNS database
For detailed information about this feature, see the following document:
Starting with Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(11), 80 domains (switches) are supported in a single physical fabric, which is a 33% increase over the previous limit of 60. All the nodes in a given fabric require Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(11) or higher to avail this scale.
For detailed information about this feature, see the following document:
The Generic Online Diagnostic System (GOLD) leverages a policy-based framework called Embedded Event Manager (EEM) to detect and handle failure conditions. The current default action through EEM includes generating alerts (callhome, syslog) and logging (OBFL, exception logs). Starting with Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(11), the default actions can be overridden to automate corrective and recovery actions such as supervisor switchover, module reload, port reset, etc.
For detailed information about this feature, see the following document:
New Hardware Features in Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(9)
This section briefly describes the new hardware features introduced in Cisco NX-OS Release 6.2(9).
Cisco MDS 9706 Director
The Cisco MDS 9706 (DS-C9706) supports up to 192 ports in a 6-slot modular chassis, with up to 768 ports in a single rack. You can configure ports as Fibre Channel (2/4/8-Gbps, 4/8/16-Gbps, or 10-Gbps), FCoE (10-Gbps), or a mix of both Fibre Channel and FCoE. The Cisco MDS 9706 supports the same Fibre Channel and FCoE switching modules as the Cisco MDS 9710 director for a high degree of system commonality.
The Cisco MDS 9148S Multilayer Fabric Switch (DS-C9148S48PK9) is the next generation of the highly reliable and flexible Cisco MDS 9100 Series switches. It combines high performance with exceptional flexibility and cost-effectiveness. A powerful compact one rack-unit (1RU) form factor can scale from 12 to 48 line-rate 16 Gbps Fibre Channel ports.
The Cisco MDS 48-Port 10-Gigabit Fibre Channel over Ethernet Module (DS-X9848-480K9) is designed for the Cisco MDS 9710 Directors. The Cisco MDS 9710 Director supports up to eight 10 Gigabit Ethernet modules. These modules are hot-swappable and they support 10-Gigabit Ethernet ports in SFP+ form factor.
The Cisco MDS 48-Port 10-Gigabit Ethernet module delivers integrated Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE), simplifies the network infrastructure and helps reduce costs. The FCoE module allows you to extend the existing Fibre Channel SANs by using FCoE. The Cisco MDS 48-Port 10-Gigabit Ethernet module supports connectivity to FCoE switching platforms and to FCoE devices. This module also supports connectivity to FCoE initiators and targets that only send FCoE traffic.
New Software Features in Cisco NX-OS Release 6.2(7)
This section briefly describes the new software features introduced in Cisco NX-OS Release 6.2(7).
Enhanced the scalability for zones, maximum devices in the fabric and maximum devices in the switch.
Forward Error Correction (FEC) for 16-Gbps ISL connections
Enhanced scalability for simultaneous FLOGIs for Cisco MDS 9500 Series switches
Restriction of the number of NPIV logins to not exceed the configuration limits in for Cisco MDS 9500 Series switches
Command-line interface (CLI) command changes:
– fcns bulk-notify
– rscn coalesce swrscn vsan
– switchport max-npiv-limit (new)
– switchport trunk-max-npiv-limit (new)
– switchport fec
– system port pacer mode F interface-login-threshold
– show fabric switch information vsan
New Hardware in Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(5)
This section briefly describes the new hardware introduced in Cisco NX-OS Release 6.2(5). For detailed information about the new hardware, see the Cisco MDS 9250i Hardware Installation Guide that is available from this URL:
The Cisco MDS 9250i Multiservice Fabric Switch (DS-C9250I-K9) is an optimized platform for deploying high-performance SAN extension solutions, distributed intelligent fabric services, and cost-effective multiprotocol connectivity for both open systems and mainframe environments.
The Cisco MDS 9250i switch is an ideal solution for local office and remote branch-office SANs and also in large-scale SANs operating the Cisco MDS 9700 and 9500 Series Multilayer director platforms.
The Cisco MDS 9250i switch offers 40 autosensing 2-, 4-, 8-, and 16-Gbps line-rate Fibre Channel ports, eight 10-Gigabit Ethernet Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) ports, and two 10-Gigabit Ethernet IP storage services ports in a fixed two-rack-unit (2RU) form factor.
New Software Features in Cisco NX-OS Release 6.2(5)
This section briefly describes the new software features introduced in Cisco NX-OS Release 6.2(5).
DMM support for Cisco MDS 9250i switch
FCIP support for Cisco MDS 9250i switch
FCR support for Cisco MDS 9250i switch
IOA support for Cisco MDS 9250i switch
Path Trace
Command-line interface (CLI) command changes:
– Changed the CLI output for the show ioa cluster flows command.
– Introduced the ioa-ping command.
– Introduced the ability to display IOA engine utilization.
– Introduced the ability to display hosts and targets by device alias in IOA.
New Software Features in Cisco NX-OS Release 6.2(3)
This section briefly describes the new software features introduced in Cisco NX-OS Release 6.2(3).
Cisco MDS Data Mobility Manager (DMM) supports logical unit numbers (LUN) sizes that are larger than 2 terabyte. The supported number of sessions per DMM job is more than 255. For more information, see the Cisco MDS 9000 Family Data Mobility Manager Configuration Guide.
FC-Redirect (FCR) support for Cisco MDS 9710 Director. For more information on IOA, see the Cisco MDS 9000 Family I/O Accelerator Configuration Guide. For more information on SME, see the Cisco MDS 9000 Family Storage Media Encryption Configuration Guide.
Command-line interface (CLI) command changes, including the following:
– Changed the CLI output for the show fcdomain vsan command.
– Deprecated the show interface counters performance command.
New Hardware in Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(1)
This section briefly describes the new hardware introduced in Cisco NX-OS Release 6.2(1). For detailed information about the new hardware, see the Cisco MDS 9710 Hardware Installation Guide that is available from this URL:
The Cisco MDS 9710 Director is a high-performance SAN switch that is designed to meet the requirements of enterprise data center storage environments. The Cisco MDS 9710 Director has a ten-slot chassis that supports up to eight 48-port, 16-Gbps switching modules, two supervisor modules, up to six fabric modules, three fan trays, and up to eight power supplies. Airflow is front-to-back in the Cisco MDS 9710 chassis.
Up to eight Cisco MDS 9000 48-Port 16-Gbps Fibre Channel switching modules can be used in the Cisco MDS 9710 Director. These modules are hot-swappable and compatible with 2-, 4-, 8-, 16- and 10-Gbps interfaces, and they support hot-swappable Enhanced Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP+) transceivers.
The Fibre Channel switching module has 12 4-port port groups. Each port group is capable of a speed of 64-Gbps in each direction simultaneously. Ports on this switching module support expansion port (E port), fabric port (F port), fabric loop port (FL port), SPAN destination port (SD port), and (TE port) port mode.
– Individual ports can be configured with Cisco 16-Gbps,8-Gbps or 10-Gbps shortwave or longwave SFP+ transceivers. Each port supports 500 buffer credits with no additional licensing required. With the Cisco Enterprise Package, up to 4095 buffer credits can be allocated to an individual port.
New Software Features in Cisco NX-OS Release 6.2(1)
This section briefly describes the new software features introduced in Cisco NX-OS Release 6.2(1).
Generic Online Diagnostics
Starting with Cisco NX-OS Release 6.2(1), the Cisco MDS 9000 Series supports the generic online diagnostics (GOLD) feature. With online diagnostics, you can test and verify the hardware functionality of a device while the device is connected to a live network. In particular, the online diagnostics help you verify that hardware and internal data paths are operating as designed so that you can rapidly isolate faults.
For more information about this feature, see the Cisco MDS 9000 System Management Configuration Guide at this URL:
Most Cisco MDS 9000 Series software features are included in the standard package. However, some features are logically grouped into add-on packages that must be licensed separately, such as the Cisco MDS 9000 Enterprise package, SAN Extension over IP package, Mainframe package, and Data Mobility Manager package. On-demand ports activation licenses are also available for the Cisco MDS 9250i Multiservice Fabric Switch, Cisco MDS 9148 48-Port Multilayer Fabric Switch, Cisco MDS 9148S 48-Port Multilayer Fabric Switch, and the Cisco MDS 8-Gb Fabric Switch for HP c-Class Blade System.
Note A license is not required to use the Cisco MDS 9000 8-port 10-Gbps Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) module (DS-X9708-K9) and the Cisco MDS 48-Port 10- Gigabit Fibre Channel over Ethernet Module (DS-X9848-480K9).
Additional information about licensed Cisco NX-OS software packages is available at this URL:
The standard software package that is bundled at no charge with the Cisco MDS 9000 Series switches includes the base set of features that Cisco believes are required by most customers for building a SAN. The Cisco MDS 9000 Series also has a set of advanced features that are recommended for all enterprise SANs. These features are bundled together in the Cisco MDS 9000 Enterprise package. Refer to the Cisco MDS 9000 Enterprise package fact sheet for more information.
SAN Extension over IP Package
The Cisco MDS 9000 SAN Extension over IP package allows the customer to use FCIP to extend SANs over wide distances on IP networks using the Cisco MDS 9000 Series IP storage services. Refer to the Cisco MDS 9000 SAN Extension over IP package fact sheet for more information.
Mainframe Package
The Cisco MDS 9000 Mainframe package uses the FICON protocol and allows control unit port management for in-band management from IBM S/390 and z/900 processors. FICON VSAN support is provided to help ensure true hardware-based separation of FICON and open systems. Switch cascading, fabric binding, and intermixing are also included in this package. Refer to the Cisco MDS 9000 Mainframe package fact sheet for more information.
Data Mobility Manager Package
The Cisco MDS 9000 Data Mobility Manager package enables data migration between heterogeneous disk arrays without introducing a virtualization layer or rewiring or reconfiguring SANs. Cisco DMM allows concurrent migration between multiple LUNs of unequal size. Rate-adjusted migration, data verification, dual Fibre Channel fabric support, and management using Cisco DCNM for SAN provide a complete solution that greatly simplifies and eliminates most downtime associated with data migration. Refer to the Cisco MDS 9000 Data Mobility Manager package fact sheet for more information. The Data Mobility Manager package is for use only with Cisco MDS 9000 Series switches.
On-Demand Port Activation License
On-demand ports allow customers to benefit from Cisco NX-OS Software features while initially purchasing only a small number of activated ports on the Cisco MDS 9250i Multiservice Fabric Switch, MDS 9148S 48-Port Multilayer Fabric Switch, MDS 9148 48-Port Multilayer Fabric Switch, and the Cisco MDS 8-Gb Fabric Switch for HP c-Class Blade System. As needed, customers can expand switch connectivity by licensing additional ports.
I/O Accelerator Package
The Cisco I/O Accelerator (IOA) package activates IOA on the Cisco MDS 9222i fabric switch, the Cisco MDS 9000 18/4 Multiservice Module (MSM-18/4), and on the SSN-16 module. The IOA package is licensed per service engine and is tied to the chassis. The number of licenses required is equal to the number of service engines on which the intelligent fabric application is used.The SSN-16 requires a separate license for each engine on which you want to run IOA. Each SSN-16 engine that you configure for IOA checks out a license from the pool managed at the chassis level. SSN-16 IOA licenses are available as single licenses.
XRC Acceleration License
The Cisco Extended Remote Copy (XRC) acceleration license activates FICON XRC acceleration on the Cisco MDS 9222i switch and on the MSM-18/4 in the Cisco MDS 9500 Series directors. One license per chassis is required. You must install the Mainframe Package and the SAN Extension over FCIP Package before you install the XRC acceleration license. The Mainframe Package enables the underlying FICON support, and the FCIP license or licenses enable the underlying FCIP support.
Deprecated and Changed Features
Zoning Features
LUN zoning, read-only zones, and broadcast zones are no longer supported. These features affect the following hardware:
You cannot bring up these modules if these features are already configured. You should completely remove all configurations that include these features before you attempt to bring up these modules. In addition, you cannot configure these features after you bring up these modules.
In addition, the following software features are not supported or are changed in Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(9):
Fibre Channel Security Protocol (FC-SP) is currently not supported on Cisco MDS 9250i Multiservice Fabric Switch.
Local switching is not supported on the Cisco MDS 9700 Series Director, but continues to be supported on the Cisco MDS 9500 Series.
Online Health Management System (OHMS)—The Generic Online Diagnostics (GOLD) system provides diagnostics for the Cisco MDS 9700 Series Director instead of the OHMS. In Cisco NX-OS Release 6.2, the GOLD system does not provide any support for automation of corrective actions, such as rebooting modules based on error thresholds.
Note OHMS is supported on Cisco MDS 9500 Series directors, Cisco MDS 9250i Multiservice Fabric Switch, Cisco MDS 9148S Multilayer Fabric Switch, and Cisco MDS 9148 Multilayer Fabric Switch.
Cisco NX-OS Release 6.2 does not support the following hardware:
Cisco MDS 9134 Fabric Switch
Cisco MDS 9124 Fabric Switch
Cisco MDS 4-Gbps Fabric Switch for HP c-Class BladeSystem
Cisco MDS 4-Gbps Fabric Switch for IBM BladeCenter
Limitations and Restrictions
This section lists the limitations and restrictions. The following limitations are described:
ASCII File Can Be Copied to the Startup Configuration
The copy bootflash:runnig-config.ascii startup-config command that was deprecated in an earlier Cisco NX-OS release is enabled from Cisco NX-OS Release 6.2(1).
Fibre Channel Security Protocol (FC-SP) Support
In Cisco NX-OS Release 6.2(9), the FC-SP feature is supported on Cisco MDS 9700 Series.
Install Module Command Changes
The install module module-number bios command is not supported on the Cisco MDS 9710 switch in Cisco NX-OS Release 6.2(1) and later releases. Use the install all command to upgrade the BIOS during a software upgrade.
The install module module-number bios command continues to be supported in Cisco NX-OS Release 6.2(1) on Cisco MDS 9500 Series switches.
Fabric Binding Error Message
When fabric binding is enabled, an error message appears whenever the Mainframe Package license is not installed, and also when the grace period is disabled. There is a functional impact associated with the error message, and the feature is enabled correctly.
IOA Scaling Support on Supervisor-2 Module
In Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 6.2(9), I/O Accelerator (IOA) scaling is supported only on the Supervisor-2A module and is not supported on the Supervisor-2 module.
Caveats
This section lists the open and resolved caveats for this release. Use Table 19 to determine the status of a particular caveat. In the table, “O” indicates an open caveat, “C” indicates a closed caveat, and “R” indicates a resolved caveat.
Table 19 Open Caveats and Resolved Caveats Reference
The documentation set for the Cisco MDS 9000 Series includes the documents listed in this section. To find a document online, access the following URL:
Cisco MDS 9000 Family Data Mobility Manager Configuration Guide
Cisco MDS 9000 Family Storage Media Encryption Configuration Guide
Troubleshooting and Reference
Cisco NX-OS System Messages Reference
Cisco MDS 9000 Family NX-OS Troubleshooting Guide
Cisco MDS 9000 Family NX-OS MIB Quick Reference
Cisco MDS 9000 Family NX-OS SMI-S Programming Reference
Obtaining Documentation and Submitting a Service Request
For information on obtaining documentation, submitting a service request, and gathering additional information, see the monthly What’s New in Cisco Product Documentation, which also lists all new and revised Cisco technical documentation, at:
Subscribe to the What’s New in Cisco Product Documentation as a Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feed and set content to be delivered directly to your desktop using a reader application. The RSS feeds are a free service and Cisco currently supports RSS version 2.0.
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