Firmware upgrade on DS16B2

[Stuart5]

I have two fabrics consisting of DS16B2 switches. I need to upgrade on these switches from v3.2.0 to v3.2.1b, and I have found a source for the firmware. My questions have to deal with interoperability between this firmware version, and firmware with another switch type (Brocade 4020) that is part of one of our fabrics, and the HBA's on our hosts.
Does anyone know of a link that would provide that information. I haven't found anything on Brocade's site.

Stuart

[JasonBailey · Accepted solution]

Yes the EMC Support Matrix "Switched Fabric Topology Parameters" chapter covers firmware interoperability.

http://www.emc.com/interoperability/matrices/EMCSupportMatrix.pdf

In the Feb ESM try page 3239, row 140. It looks like the Brocade 4020 is referred to as one of these:
IBM Brocade 10−port 4Gb SAN Switch Module for BladeCenter Servers (32R1813),
IBM Brocade 20−port 4Gb SAN Switch Module for BladeCenter Servers (32R1812),
IBM Brocade Enterprise SAN switch module (90P0165)

According to this page 3.2.1b is supported with IBM Blade switch firmware 5.0.3a & 5.0.5

[Stuart5]

Jason,

Thanks for the help. I believe this document will provide all the information I need.

Stuart

[Stuart5]

My second question wasn't answered, but I need to rephrase it: Will changing the switch firmware have any impact on the connectivity of the HBA's to the storage array; in my case two Clariion 4700's?

Stuart

[JasonBailey]

Upgrading Brocade firmware in the 3.x family requires a switch reboot (i.e. disruptive)

[sysmgr1]

I did this firmware leap and the only disruption was the switch reboot. However, if you have redundant fabrics and are setup in a high availabity architecture, then you "should" not have any outtages.