Original Message:
Sent: Tue August 19, 2025 03:16 AM
From: Uwe Schreiber
Subject: FlashSystem Internode zoning
Hi T.,
I suspect that the recommendation to use all ports is a relic from the old days, when systems could only support a few ports per controller.
Using two instead of eight ports obviously results in a loss of redundancy.
However, it must also be noted that inter-node communication is "only" used as a backup for communication via PCI Link over the midplane.
I've implemented dozens of Storwize and Flashsystem systems over the past 15 years. In that time, I've only encountered one system (V7000 Gen1) where the midplane was defective and had to be replaced.
Regards, Uwe
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Uwe Schreiber
System Engineer / Solution Architect
SVA System Vertrieb Alexander
Wiesbaden
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Original Message:
Sent: Tue August 19, 2025 02:56 AM
From: T Masteen
Subject: FlashSystem Internode zoning
Hello Uwe,
Perhaps I wasn't entirely clear. With only two ports in the zone, I no longer get an 1801 error. I did when I had 8 ports in the zone.
I'm just trying to figure out why the documentation says I should use all the ports, but in practice, this doesn't work (1801 error).
And what might be the consequences if I only use 2 ports instead of 8?
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TMasteen
Original Message:
Sent: Tue August 19, 2025 02:10 AM
From: Uwe Schreiber
Subject: FlashSystem Internode zoning
Hi T.,
can you please check the output of "lsfabric -node <node-id>" regarding the number of logins from the partner nodecanister.
Compare the output with the result you would expect based on the zoning.
According your information regarding the usage of 2 ports per fabric (per nodecanister) you should only see 8 logins on each nodecanister.
But message "1801 A node has received too many Fibre Channel logins from another node." is indicating a number of more then 16 logins.
Regards, Uwe
------------------------------
Uwe Schreiber
System Engineer / Solution Architect
SVA System Vertrieb Alexander
Wiesbaden
Original Message:
Sent: Mon August 18, 2025 02:17 PM
From: T Masteen
Subject: FlashSystem Internode zoning
I still have a question about internode zoning in a flashsystem.
The documentation states:
https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/flashsystem-7x00/8.6.0?topic=details-san-configuration-zoning-rules-summary
If the system has only one control enclosure and one or more Fibre Channel ports that are attached to a SAN fabric, allow communication between node canisters over the Fibre Channel network. Creating one zone per system in each SAN fabric and adding all ports from this system into that zone satisfies this best practice.
The above is also told again in:
https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/flashsystem-9x00/8.7.0?topic=problem-control-enclosure-is-not-detected
If your system uses Fibre Channel, ensure that all cables are connected and zoning is set up according to the zoning rules. There must be a zone that includes all ports from all node canisters.
Now we have created a zone on both fabrics with all FC ports (as indicated in the documentation) and then we get the message
1801 A node has received too many Fibre Channel logins from another node.
If we use two ports per fabric, the 1801 error disappears.
So, how should I interpret the documentation?
Thanks
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TMasteen