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October 17, 2017

DATA CENTER

Brocade Fabric OS
Target Path Selection Guide
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 in conjunction with other requirements that may be unique to your particular environment. This
document is updated on a periodic basis when Brocade has modified or added new Target Path release
recommendations.
© 2017, Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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Notice: This document is for informational purposes only and does not set forth any warranty, expressed or implied, concerning any
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Document History
Date Published Comments

October 17, 2017 Updated the Brocade Target Path to FOS 7.4.2a.

June 23, 2017 Updated the Brocade Target Path to FOS 8.0.2c.

April 14, 2017 Updated the recommendations for FICON, FICON emulation, and encryption products.

August 26, 2016 Updated the Brocade Target Path to FOS 7.4.1d.

April 18, 2016 Updated the Brocade Target Path to FOS 7.4.1b.

January 4, 2016 Updated Brocade FOS 7.3.1d and 7.2.1g as official Target Path releases.

September 29, 2015 Updated with Brocade FOS 7.3.1c as the official Target Path release; also updated with Brocade
FOS 7.2.1f and FOS 6.4.3h.

July 23, 2015 Updated the recommendations to show Brocade FOS 7.3.1x and 7.4.0x as Target Path releases.

February 2, 2015 Clarified the recommendations for the Brocade 7800.

January 22, 2015 Updated for Brocade FOS 7.2 with 7.2.1d and FICON 7.3.0b recommended release. Added minimum
information for the Brocade 7800 and Access Gateway.

July 10, 2014 Added Brocade FOS 7.2.1a and 7.0.2e to the list of Open Systems Target Path releases. Added Brocade
FOS 7.2.0d and 7.2.0d1 as recommendations for FICON environments.

January 24, 2014 Added Brocade FOS 7.1.1c to the list of Open Systems Target Path releases. Removed Brocade
FOS 7.2.0b as a recommendation for FICON environments.

January 10, 2014 Updated with new Brocade FOS 7.1.1a/b Target Path recommendations and 7.2.0b FICON environment
recommendations. Clarified FICON environment recommendations.

March 6, 2013 Updated with new Brocade FOS 6.4.3d and 7.0.2c Target Path recommendations.

May 28, 2012 First version.

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Contents
Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 4
Definition of a Target Path Release .............................................................................................. 4
Target Path Release Designations ................................................................................................ 5
Recommendations for FICON Environments ............................................................................... 6
Migrating to Target Path and FICON Recommended Releases .................................................. 7
Upgrade Path to Brocade for Open Systems Environments ..................................................................... 7
Upgrade Path to Brocade for FICON Environments.................................................................................. 7
Future Target Path Releases ......................................................................................................... 7

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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.

Use the Brocade FOS Target Path release recommendations in this document in conjunction with advice and
guidance from your Brocade switch vendor, as well as any special requirements and needs of 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.

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.

Definition of a Target Path Release

A Brocade FOS release is identified as a Target Path release only if 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 be deployed in a
sufficient number of end-user production environments for a period of at least three months and
must have no known critical issues or 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. In some situations, it may be ideal to select one of the later
patch releases in order to pick up a fix for an issue that is applicable to a particular site or environment. These newer
patch releases may be formally announced as a Target Path release for that code level the next time this document
is updated for new major release designations of Target Path. These newer patch releases may be considered Target
Path releases after less than the three months of customer exposure time because patch releases typically contain
minimal changes from their predecessors. Because 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.

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.

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Target Path Release Designations
Table 1 specifies the Target Path release for each major version or family of Brocade FOS releases, beginning with
Brocade FOS 7.3. In general, Brocade recommends running the most recent major code level that is supported by a
particular hardware platform, although 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 column of Table 1.

Table 1. Target Path Releases by Major Brocade FOS Level

Major Brocade Target Path Notes

FOS Level Release

FOS 7.3 7.3.1e FOS 7.3.1d is also a supported Target Path release.
FOS 7.3.1d and 7.3.1e are both supported Target Path quality releases that
customers can remain on while planning their next fabric upgrade to
FOS 7.4 or 8.0 Target Path code levels. The recommendation is to upgrade
to the FOS 8.0 Target Path code levels on all Gen 5/Gen 6 platforms and to
upgrade to the FOS 7.4 Target Path code levels for all older platforms.
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 7.4 7.4.2a FOS FOS 7.4.1d and 7.4.1e are also supported Target Path releases.
Encryption products should remain at the FOS 7.4.1x code levels since the
BES platform is no longer being supported in FOS 7.4.2 or higher code
levels.
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 8.0.2c FOS 8.0.2c is the recommended Target Path for all Gen 5/Gen 6 switches.
FOS 8.0.2c is the minimum recommended Target Path for any
environments that use IP Extension.
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.

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.

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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 FICON Notes

FOS Level Qualified
Release

FOS 7.3 7.3.1c FOS 7.3.0b and 7.3.1b are also FICON certified.
For FCIP FICON emulation (XRC, tape, etc.), Brocade recommends
FOS 7.3.1c.

FOS 7.4 7.4.2a FOS 7.4.2a is a recommended FICON Target Path release.
FOS 7.4.1d is also a supported Target Path release.
For FCIP configurations with emulation features (Fast Write, Open Systems
Tape Pipelining, FICON XRC Acceleration, and/or FICON Tape Acceleration),
Brocade recommends FOS 7.4.1d9 or 7.4.2a.

FOS 8.0 8.0.2b FOS 8.0.2b is a recommended FICON Target Path release.
FOS 8.0.2b is the minimum recommended Target Path for any
environments that use IP Extension.
For FCIP FICON emulation (XRC, tape, etc.), Brocade recommends
FOS 8.0.2b.

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.

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Migrating to Target Path and FICON Recommended Releases
The following upgrade paths are recommended for customers who are running older versions of Brocade FOS and
wish to upgrade to a Target Path release in order 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.

Upgrade Path to Brocade for Open Systems Environments

FOS 7.2.1g*  FOS 7.3.1d/e  FOS 7.4.2a  FOS 8.0.2c
*Note: Brocade FOS 7.2.1d or later is recommended for the Brocade 7800.

Upgrade Path to Brocade for FICON Environments

FOS 7.2.1d  FOS 7.3.1c*  FOS 7.4.2a  FOS 8.0.2b
*Note: For FCIP FICON emulation (XRC, tape, etc.), substitute the recommended releases noted in Table 2.

Future Target Path Releases

Because a Target Path release is based on proven reliability and a lack of critical issues, it is impossible to predict
future Target Path releases. However, based on the very mature qualification process and planned release
schedules for maintenance and patch releases, Brocade can provide some guidance as to the main code stream
and expected timeframe for the next Target Path release.

Brocade currently expects the next Target Path release to be on the FOS 8.1.2x firmware level.

The future Target Path release level and timeframe are both subject to change without notice.

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