MDS configuration for port channel

Question

I've tried to set up the new FC port channel upload to a pair of MDS 9124s, but as I don't know enough about the MDS side I can't get the link to come up. Are there any references available anywhere that tell you blow by blow exactly how to configure the MDS side of the port channel? Or perhaps a sample working config?
Thanks

Answer 1

Simon,
A few items:
1) You are on 1.4.1i Balboa code
2) FI's are in FC switch mode as MDS 9124's don't support F-port channel (NPV/NPIV)
3) It's a lot easier the first time if you have matched speed sfp+ all around. Although, with the correct configs, unmatched speeds can be made to work.
If the FIs are in switch mode and your MDS is running a minimum 3.3 here are some configs that may help:
MDS side interfaces 4/11 and 4/12 are plugged into the UCS fc ports. First setup and ensure ISLs are working properly between UCS and MDS, then configure the port-channels
interface fc4/11
  switchport rate-mode dedicated
  switchport mode E
  switchport trunk mode auto
  no shutdown
interface fc4/12
  switchport rate-mode dedicated
  switchport mode E
  switchport trunk mode auto
  no shutdown
The UCS GUI Equipment -> Fabric Interconnects -> FI-A -> Set FC Switching Mode. This will cause both FI's to reboot into FC switch mode. This is VERY DISRUPTIVE, both FI's will reboot.
On the UCS CLI you should see this on the UCS fc ports connected to the MDS
cae-sj-ca3-A(nxos)# show running-config interface fc 2/1-2
!Command: show running-config interface fc2/1-2
!Time: Wed Oct 20 16:49:39 2010
version 4.2(1)N1(1.4)
interface fc2/1
  switchport mode E
  no shutdown
interface fc2/2
  switchport mode E
  no shutdown
Until you have VSAN trunks enabled, make sure the ports on the UCS and MDS are in the same VSAN. VSAN 1 for example.
Once you have working ISLs, then proceed to turn them into port-channels and enable VSAN trunking. Start with the MDS
Create a channel group, it should look like this
cae-sj-9506-1# show run interface port-channel 3
!Command: show running-config interface port-channel 3
!Time: Wed Oct 20 17:06:01 2010
version 5.0(1a)
interface port-channel 3
  channel mode active
  switchport mode E
  switchport rate-mode dedicated
  switchport trunk mode auto  <-- VSAN trunking
Enable VSAN trunking on the MDS ISL interfaces, it'll look like this:
cae-sj-9506-1# show run interface fc 4/11-12
!Command: show running-config interface fc4/11-12
!Time: Wed Oct 20 17:07:05 2010
version 5.0(1a)
interface fc4/11
  switchport rate-mode dedicated
  switchport mode E
  switchport trunk mode auto
  no shutdown
interface fc4/12
  switchport rate-mode dedicated
  switchport mode E
  switchport trunk mode auto
  no shutdown
Add the channel group information to the MDS ISL interfaces:
Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.
cae-sj-9506-1(config)# interface fc 4/11-12
cae-sj-9506-1(config-if)# channel-group 3 force
fc4/11 fc4/12 added to port-channel 3 and disabled
please do the same operation on the switch at the other end of the port-channel,
then do "no shutdown" at both ends to bring it up
cae-sj-9506-1(config-if)# show run interface fc 4/11-12
!Command: show running-config interface fc4/11-12
!Time: Wed Oct 20 17:07:39 2010
version 5.0(1a)
interface fc4/11
  switchport rate-mode dedicated
  switchport mode E
  switchport trunk mode auto
  channel-group 3 force
  no shutdown
interface fc4/12
  switchport rate-mode dedicated
  switchport mode E
  switchport trunk mode auto
  channel-group 3 force
  no shutdown
Create the SAN port channel on the UCS side
SAN -> SAN Cloud -> Fabric A -> FC Port Channels -> Create Port Channel
After you create the SAN port channel in UCS, make sure and enable it. I also bounce the MDS port channel at this point.
If all is correct, in a few agonizing minutes, the port-channel will be formed and passing data.
cae-sj-ca3-A(nxos)# show interface san-port-channel 1
san-port-channel 1 is trunking
    Hardware is Fibre Channel
    Port WWN is 24:01:00:0d:ec:d3:5d:c0
    Admin port mode is E, trunk mode is on
    snmp link state traps are enabled
    Port mode is TE
    Port vsan is 1
    Speed is 8 Gbps
    Trunk vsans (admin allowed and active) (1,10,26,50,66,100-101,103,123,222,24
0)
    Trunk vsans (up)                       (1,10,50,100,103)
    Trunk vsans (isolated)                 (26,66,101,123,222,240)
    Trunk vsans (initializing)             ()
    5 minute input rate 2312 bits/sec, 289 bytes/sec, 2 frames/sec
    5 minute output rate 1440 bits/sec, 180 bytes/sec, 2 frames/sec
      2669 frames input, 194760 bytes
        0 discards, 0 errors
        0 CRC,  0 unknown class
        0 too long, 0 too short
      2677 frames output, 158316 bytes
        0 discards, 0 errors
      0 input OLS, 1 LRR, 0 NOS, 0 loop inits
Again, make sure you have the ISLs up an running first before configuring the port-channels. It makes troubleshooting much easier.
Let me know if you need any help.