Target Path

Fabric OS (FOS) Target Path

Selection Guide
Version 1.0

Brocade 53-1003916-09
April 25, 2018
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Target Path Selection Guide Fabric OS (FOS) Target Path

Table of Contents

Target Path Fabric OS (FOS) Target Path Selection Guide ............................................................ 4

1 Overview .......................................................................................................................................................................4
2 Definition of a Target Path Release............................................................................................................................4
3 Target Path Release Designations .............................................................................................................................5
4 Recommendations for FICON Environments ............................................................................................................6
5 Migrating to Target Path and FICON Recommended Versions ...............................................................................6
Revision History.............................................................................................................................................................. 8
Version 1.0; April 25, 2018..........................................................................................................................................8

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Target Path Fabric OS (FOS) Target Path Selection Guide

1 Overview
This document provides guidance for selecting an ideal Brocade® Fabric OS® (Brocade FOS) code version for use on
Brocade Fibre Channel (FC) switch platforms and also for selecting optimum versions of code to use when migrating from
one version of Brocade FOS to another. These recommended Brocade FOS versions are referred to as "Target Path"
releases.

Brocade Fabric OS (Brocade FOS) Target Path releases are recommended code levels for Brocade Fibre Channel switch
platforms. Use these guidelines when trying to determine the ideal version of Brocade FOS software; consider these
guidelines with other requirements that may be unique to your particular environment. Always refer to the Brocade FOS
release notes and carefully review the "Important Notes and Known Defects" information before selecting and installing any
version of Brocade FOS on a switch in addition to any specific guidance from your Brocade switch vendor.

This document is updated on a periodic, as-needed basis to reflect the latest Brocade FOS Target Path release
recommendations. Always check the latest version of this document when planning to install a new Brocade FOS release.

2 Definition of a Target Path Release

A Brocade FOS release is identified as a Target Path release only after it meets the following criteria:
 It is a Brocade FOS version of firmware that was created primarily for stability and reliability and not for the introduction
of new features. This version of firmware may contain Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability (RAS) improvements
and enhancements, but it typically does not contain any new software features or support for new hardware.
 Most of the Brocade partners and OEMs have qualified and support the firmware version or are planning to do so in the
immediate future. This qualification makes it an ideal option for environments in which customers procure Brocade
equipment from more than one vendor.
 The specified code level (or an earlier patch at the same release level) must have been deployed in a sufficient number
of end-user production environments for a period of at least three months and must have no known pervasive or
impacting issues or critical defects, including firmware-related issues identified in a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB).

Once a specific Brocade FOS code version is identified as a Target Path release, newer patches (that is, releases that vary
only with a different letter appended to the release number) that are released on the same code stream can also be
considered recommended Target Path releases. Fixes and code changes are carefully managed to maintain the Target Path
designation. Whenever more significant code changes are required, then the version number will be increased to indicate
that the Target Path designation could not be maintained and the criteria for obtaining the Target Path designation must start
over.

When selecting firmware, it is recommended to always select that latest patch on the Target Path release stream. These
newer patch releases may be formally announced as a Target Path release, or the patch may be a Target Path quality
release as it was built on the same code stream as a previously announced Target Path version. These newer patch releases
may be considered Target Path releases after a very short exposure time because patch releases typically contain minimal
changes from their predecessors. The stability of the major code level release has already been verified, it is unnecessary
to wait for this additional field exposure.

Note that for FICON environments, the use of patch releases that are not specifically designated as qualified and supported
for FICON is not recommended.

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The Target Path release designation in no way implies or guarantees that a release will be free of defects or will not contain
behavioral issues that could cause an impact in a production environment. However, following the Target Path release
recommendations produces the most trouble-free environments for data center storage area networks (SANs) that use
Brocade switching platforms.

Always review the latest version of the Brocade FOS release notes for the code level you are loading-as well as for the code
level you are migrating from-before you update the firmware. The Target Path designation is not a guarantee that you will
not encounter limitations in upgrading or downgrading firmware levels. Brocade recommends that all customers review the
release notes to ensure a trouble-free migration and production environment.

3 Target Path Release Designations

Table 1 specifies the Target Path release for each major version or family of Brocade FOS releases that are currently being
activity supported by Brocade. In general, Brocade recommends running the most recent major code level that is supported
by a particular hardware platform and the most recent patch on the specified Target Path code stream once available. For
customers already running on an existing Target Path version it is not necessary to upgrade if you do not need the new
features or capabilities introduced in the later major release levels.

For some release levels, the Target Path release may contain some exceptions for special-purpose hardware platforms and
functionality, such as encryption platforms, extension platforms, or embedded switches. These exceptions are called out for
each major release level in the Notes and Exceptions column of Table 1.

Table 1: Target Path Releases by Major Brocade FOS Level

Major Brocade Official Target Path

FOS Level Release Version Notes and Exceptions
FOS 7.4 FOS 7.4.2c FOS 7.4.2a was the first officially recognized Target Path version on this release stream and
continues to maintain the Target Path designation.
Encryption products are not supported on code versions above 7.4.1x. The BES / Encryption
products should continue to use FOS 7.4.1f as the recommended Target Path version. FOS
versions 7.4.1d and 7.4.1e also continue to maintain the Target Path designation for BES/
Encryption products.
Non-Encryption deployments that are running on FOS 7.4.1d or 7.4.1e may continue to remain
on these versions as they are previously recognized Target Path versions.
All patches released after the listed Target Path on the same code level are also considered
Target Path. The recommendation for new upgrades is to always select the highest patch on the
Target Path code stream.
FOS 8.0 FOS 8.0.2e FOS 8.0.2c was the first officially recognized Target Path version on this release stream. FOS
8.0.2c and FOS 8.0.2d both maintain the Target Path designation.
FOS 8.0.2c is the minimum recommended Target Path for any environments using IPEX.
All patches released after the listed Target Path on the same code level are also considered
Target Path. The recommendation for new upgrades is to always select the highest patch on the
Target Path code stream.
FOS 8.1 FOS 8.1.2a FOS 8.1.2b has been released as a newer patch on the Target Path code stream. It is also an
officially recognized Target Path version.
FOS 8.1.2b is the minimum Target Path version for customers that utilize LDAP for
authentication to FOS.
All patches released after the listed Target Path on the same code level are also considered
Target Path. The recommendation for new upgrades is to always select the highest patch on the
Target Path code stream.

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NOTE: More recent versions of Brocade FOS code will be available that provide additional functionality. As a general
recommendation, customers who wish to deploy these latest features and who cannot wait for a Target Path
designation on that release level should use the latest release available.

Customers who do not have an immediate need for the latest features should follow the provided Target Path
recommendations, selecting the latest Target Path release that provides the level of functionality required.

4 Recommendations for FICON Environments

For customers with FICON environments, Brocade generally recommends the use of the most recently released version of
Brocade FOS that is supported for a particular platform that has been qualified for FICON. Table 2 lists the latest Brocade
FOS release at each major Brocade FOS level that has been qualified for use in FICON environments.

Table 2: Recommended FICON Qualified Releases by Major Brocade FOS Level

Major Brocade Official Target Path

FOS Level Release Version Notes and Exceptions
FOS 7.4 FOS 7.4.2a1 FOS 7.4.2a1 is the recommended FICON Target Path for 8G Platforms.
FOS 7.4.1d is also a supported Target Path release.
For FCIP FICON emulation (XRC, tape, and so on, Brocade recommends FOS versions FOS
7.4.2a1 or FOS 7.4.1d9. For FCIP FICON emulation (FW, OSTP, FICON XRC, tape, and so on),
Brocade recommends FOS 7.4.1d9.
FOS 8.0 FOS 8.0.2b2 FOS 8.0.2b2 is a recommended FICON Qualified release.
For FCIP FICON emulation (XRC, tape, and so on), Brocade recommends FOS 8.0.2b2.
FOS 8.1 FOS 8.1.2a FOS 8.1.2a is the recommended FICON Target Path release for all Gen5 and Gen6 products.
For FCIP FICON emulation (XRC, tape, and so on), Brocade also recommends FOS 8.1.2a.
FOS 8.2 FOS 8.2.0a FOS 8.2.0a is a recommended FICON Qualification release.
For FCIP FICON emulation (XRC, tape, and so on), Brocade also recommends FOS 8.2.0a.

NOTE: More recent versions of Brocade FOS code will be available that provide additional functionality. As a general
recommendation, customers who wish to deploy these latest features and who cannot wait for a Target Path
designation on that release level should use the latest release available.

Customers who do not have an immediate need for the latest features should follow the provided Target Path
recommendations, selecting the latest Target Path release that provides the level of functionality required.

5 Migrating to Target Path and FICON Recommended Versions

The following upgrade paths are recommended for customers who are running older versions of Brocade FOS and want to
upgrade to a Target Path release to avoid the known issues or pitfalls that might exist in some older versions of firmware. If
a switch is already running at a major release level that is different from the specific code version recommended in the
migration path, simply move forward to the next major release level's recommended Target Path release, and continue the
migration process from there.

NOTE: Before installing the new code, always carefully review the Brocade FOS release notes for both the version of code
that you are moving from and the version of code that is being installed.
1. Upgrade Path to Brocade for Open Systems Environments
FOS 7.3.1d/e → FOS 7.4.2a/c → FOS 8.0.2d/e → FOS 8.1.2a/b

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2. Upgrade Paths for Brocade for Open Systems LDAP Mapped Environments
Due to a known defect that affects only Customers configured with LDAP Mapped Environments, these customers
should avoid the following code levels when planning an upgrade:

FOS 7.4.1f FOS 8.1.0 FOS 8.1.0a FOS 8.1.1 FOS 8.1.1a FOS 8.1.2 FOS 8.1.2a

An enhanced LDAP attribute mapping format support was introduced in selected code versions. Customers deploying
LDAP Mapping should remain on these code levels with the improved LDAP support:

FOS 7.4.2x FOS 8.0.2fa FOS 8.1.0b FOS 8.1.1ba FOS 8.1.2b FOS 8.2.0x
a. FOS 8.0.2f and 8.1.1b are targeted for release in August of 2018. Availability of future FOS release versions are
subject to change without notice.

Recommended upgrade path for LDAP Mapped Environments

Any FOS 7.X → FOS 7.4.2a/c → FOS 8.0.2d/e (see note) → FOS 8.1.2b
Any FOS 8.X → FOS 8.1.2b

NOTE: FOS 8.0.2d/e is meant to only be used as a temporary transition point as firmware is upgraded to FOS 8.1.2b.
3. Upgrade Path to Brocade for FICON Environments
FOS 7.3.1c → FOS 7.4.2a1 → FOS 8.0.2b2 → FOS 8.1.2a
FOS 7.3.1c → FOS 7.4.1d → FOS 7.4.2a1 → FOS 8.0.2b2 → FOS 8.1.2a

NOTE: For FCIP FICON emulation (XRC, tape, and so on), substitute the recommended releases noted in Table 2.

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Revision History
Version 1.0; April 25, 2018
Initial document version.

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