SAN-OS and NX-OS interoperability

geekyjm,

For interoperability questions regarding two switches that you are looking to connect via ISL, look to the E-Lab Interoperability Navigator and generate the information as follows:

https://elabnavigator.emc.com/do/navigator.jsp

The E-Lab team tests and validates the following:

1) Switch Model (you didn't supply that)

2) Firmware (the versions are more granular than what you provided)

Steps

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1) Under the "Advanced Query" tab, click through the following breadcrumb trail:

Connectivity  >  Switch

2) Then under "Cisco" click on the hyperlinked category that relates to your switch

3) Find one of the two switches (I would select the oldest of the two) and select both:

a) Exact Model (i.e. MDS 9148)

b) Exact Version of Firmware (i.e. 3.2.3a )

NOTE: If you can't find your switch model and/or firmware listed, then you can imply that it is unsupported

4) Then click on "Add to Cart"

5) Then click on "Get Results >>"

6) You will then want to select "Switched Fabric Topology Parameters" from the results

7) You will get a list of all the switches supported, simply look for your second switch under "Interoperable Switches" and compare with the "Interoperable Switch Firmware" column.

Assuming you find a row that matches your environment, read the verbiage above the headers and also look for any relevant footnotes.  Generally speaking though, v3.2 is fairly limited with what it supports running v5.2.  If you don't find a match you have several options:

1) Of course, upgrade the older switch to what match what is supported

2) Downgrade the newer switch

2) Follow-up with you EMC representative to submit an RPQ (Request for Product Qualification)

Thank you very much for you reply. It was very helpful. Support also pointed to the Cisco MDS 9000 Family release notes for Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 5.2(6a) pg12 table 7.