Brocade Network Advisor

FAQ
BROCADE NETWORK ADVISOR
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Introduction
Brocade® Network Advisor is an enterprise-level, full lifecycle network management solution
that helps organizations simplify daily network operations and focus on strategic IT
initiatives. With its feature-rich, easy-to-use interface, Brocade Network Advisor automates
repetitive tasks while enabling organizations to proactively manage their networks.
For product information, visit: www.brocade.com/networkadvisor.
General Questions and Answers
What’s New?
Packaging and Licensing
Upgrade and Migration Paths
Device Support
Brocade Network Advisor System Requirements
Learn More
General Questions and Answers
Q What types of environments can benefit from Brocade Network Advisor?
A Brocade Network Advisor is ideal for managing Brocade-based Fibre Channel SAN
and/or Ethernet network infrastructure deployed in data center, cloud, wired/wireless
campus, and service provider environments.
Q Does Brocade Network Advisor provide integration with third-party management
solutions?
A Brocade Network Advisor provides out-of-the-box support for leading data center
orchestration frameworks from IBM, HP, and EMC.
Q What cloud and virtualization technologies are supported by Brocade Network Advisor?
A Through partner integrations and an open architecture, Brocade Network Advisor
integrates with a number of northbound management systems, driving next-generation
storage management. Integration options include:
 VMware vCenter, vCenter Operations Management Suite, and Log Insight
 Microsoft System Center Operations Manager and Virtual Machine Manager
 OpenStack
 EMC ViPR
 HP OneView

IBM PowerVC
Q How can I access data in the Brocade Network Advisor database?
A Data can be exported in bulk from the database using ODBC.
Q How can I share Brocade Network Advisor data with my helpdesk system?
A Event data (SNMP trap or syslog) can by automatically forwarded to your ticketing system
based on a schedule using rules.
Q I have my own management application. Can I still use Brocade Network Advisor?
A Yes. Third-party applications can access Brocade Fabric Vision performance data, events,
dashboard summaries, SAN zoning, and inventory, exclusively through the Brocade
Network Advisor REST API Web services interface. Find your services at: http://<Network
Advisor Server IP>/rest. Alternative methods include using the integrated SMI Agent. For
more information, check out the RestAPI Guide.
Q How do I access Brocade Network Advisor software and user manuals?
A From within Brocade Network Advisor, the user manual can be accessed through the
help menu. Brocade Network Advisor documentation and user manuals can also be
downloaded or viewed online from www.brocade.com/networkadvisor. You can also use
the links below to access those materials:
 Installation and Migration Guide
 Port Commissioning QuickStart Guide
 RestAPI Guide
 SAN Installation and Migration Guide
 SMI Agent Developer’s Guide
 Software Licensing Guide
 Brocade SAN Analytics Management Pack for VMware vCenter Operations
Management Suite User’s Guide
 Virtual Connect Enterprise Manager Server Guide
For additional documentation and to download software, please visit MyBrocade®
(registration required), and follow these steps:
1. Log into your MyBrocade account at http://my.brocade.com.
2. Select “downloads” from the top menu.
3. Enter “Brocade Network Advisor” in the search field and click the Search button.
4. Select “Brocade Network Advisor 12.3.x (the Brocade Network Advisor manuals can
optionally be selected). Next, select the download image and/or release notes.
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What’s New
Q What key SAN features are available in Brocade Network Advisor 12.3?
A Brocade Network Advisor simplifies SAN management and helps users proactively
diagnose and troubleshoot issues to maximize uptime—increasing operational efficiency
and reducing costs. Key SAN features introduced in the 12.3 release include:
 Enhanced scale: 15,000 switch ports, 100 fabrics, 400 switches and Access
Gateways (AGs), and 40,000 SAN devices
 Browser-based client for dashboard, inventory, and reporting
 Point-in-time dashboard playback (30 days to 30 minutes)
 Share, import, and export dashboards
 Change manager, drift detection and audit trail, event-based configuration backup
 Reports can be sorted and scheduled, and include more details
 Brocade Fabric Vision technology enhancements
 Export reports in multiple formats and e-mail or copy to a shared location
 Enhanced MAPS and Flow Vision integration (launched from the toolbar)
 REST APIs to increase SAN performance visibility
 Emulex and QLogic adapter support
The following key IP features are available:
 Logical chassis management
 In-Service Software Upgrade (ISSU) support
 VLAN management enhancements, including Private VLAN (PVLAN) views
 Brocade HyperEdge® stacking support
 Customizable reporting capabilities
 Customizable configuration change and CLI Manager parameterization enhancements
 IP telemetry configuration support for Policy-Based Routing (PBR)
 Brocade VCS® fabric management licensing enhancements
 Unified access management support for wired and wireless campus environments
Q Does Brocade Network Advisor support other IP networking vendor devices (such as
Cisco, Juniper, and HP ProCurve)?
A Yes. Brocade Network Advisor can monitor third-party IP devices as long as they meet
minimum standard SNMP MIB requirements. Brocade Network Advisor supports the
following features for third-party devices:
 Discovery and topology mapping
 Role manager
 Event collector and log
 Event processor
 Custom reports
 Trap forwarding
 Performance monitoring
 Wired devices report
Note: Configuration (configuration wizard, CLI configuration manager) and sFlow-related
features are not supported.
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Q What version of firmware and hardware are supported with Brocade Network Advisor
12.3?
A Brocade Network Advisor 12.3 supports Fibre Channel switch firmware and Brocade
Fabric OS® (FOS) features from 6.x through the new 7.3 release. Brocade Network
Advisor adds support for the Brocade 7840 Extension Switch, which extends Fabric
Vision technology across data centers, and the Brocade FC16-64 Blade for the Brocade
DCX® 8510 Backbone, which maximizes port density while reducing cabling and optics.
Packaging and Licensing
Q Where can I purchase Brocade Network Advisor?
A Brocade Network Advisor is sold globally by most major storage vendors, value-added IP
resellers, and distributors, as well as directly by Brocade. Brocade Network Advisor
Professional is included with every Brocade hardware purchase at no charge.
Q Are evaluation copies of Brocade Network Advisor available?
A Yes. Evaluation copies are available via download from www.brocade.com. Registration
is required. Brocade provides full-featured evaluation versions that operate for 120 days
after installation.
Q How is Brocade Network Advisor packaged?
A Brocade Network Advisor is available as IP-only, SAN-only, or SAN+IP bundle packages.
Q What are the different Brocade Network Advisor licenses for SAN?
A Brocade Network Advisor for SAN is available in three types of licenses:
 SAN Professional: No charge. Up to 300 switch ports, two fabrics, Brocade FOS only.
 SAN Professional Plus: For charge. Supports up to 2,560 switch ports and 100
fabrics.
 SAN Enterprise: For charge. Supports up to 15,000 switch ports and 100 fabrics. This
license is required for Brocade DCX Backbone and FICON® management.
Q What Network Advisor license requirements apply to third-party integrations?
Professional Plus and Enterprise bundles are required to use the Brocade Network
Advisor Plugin for VMware vCenter and the Brocade SAN Management Pack for Microsoft
SCOM. The integrated SMI Agent is also available without the management interface.
This no-GUI client version of Brocade Network Advisor does not require a license. Also,
no Brocade Network Advisor license is required for integration with VMware Log Insight.
Q What Brocade DCX 8510 Backbone models do Brocade Network Advisor SAN Enterprise
and Brocade Network Advisor SAN Professional Plus support?
A Brocade Network Advisor SAN Enterprise supports the Brocade DCX 8510-8 and the
Brocade DCX 8510-4. Brocade Network Advisor SAN Professional/Professional Plus can
discover but not manage the Brocade DCX 8510-8. Administrators can use the device’s
Element Manager, which can be launched from the Connectivity Map, to manage the
device. The device cannot be used as a seed switch.
Q Where can I download the VMware software plugins?
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A The Brocade SAN Analytics Management Pack for VMware vCenter Operations
Management Suite and the Brocade SAN Content Pack for vCenter Log Insight are
available from the VMware Solutions Exchange.
For more information on pricing and licensing, see the Software Licensing Guide.
Q What are the different Brocade Network Advisor licenses for IP?
A Brocade Network Advisor for IP is available in the following licenses:
 IP Professional: No charge. Up to 20 devices (physical chassis).
 IP Base: For charge. Additional licenses available based on the number of IP and/or
MPLS devices.
For a detailed feature comparison across editions, see “Edition Feature Support” in the
Brocade Network Advisor Installation and Migration Guide.
Q What VCS fabric management capabilities does the IP Base edition support?
A The IP Base edition provides advanced VCS fabric management for fabrics. Advanced
features include:
 VCS fabric diagnostics (Layer 2 traceroute)
 Automatic Migration of Port Profiles (AMPP) management
 sFlow reports for VCS fabrics
 Brocade Network Advisor Plugin for VMware vCenter support for IP
Q What is the maximum number of VCS fabrics that Brocade Network Advisor can
manage? And the maximum number of Brocade VDX switches?
A There is no limit in terms of the number of VCS fabrics that Brocade Network Advisor can
manage, as long as the total number of IP devices, including Brocade VDX® switches, is
less than 5,000. Brocade Network Advisor has no limit on the maximum number of
Brocade VDX switches per VCS fabric domain that it can manage. However, Brocade VCS
Fabric technology itself has a maximum of 32 switches per fabric.
Q Can the Professional edition support the Brocade VDX platform?
A Yes. The Professional edition supports stand-alone Brocade VDX switches but does not
provide visibility or control of VCS fabrics.
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Upgrade and Migration Paths
Q Can I upgrade to Brocade Network Advisor 12.2?
A Existing Brocade Network Advisor and Brocade Data Center Fabric Manager (DCFM®)
customers can upgrade to Brocade Network Advisor 12.3 without acquiring new license
keys, provided that they have a current Brocade Technical Support agreement in place.
The supported Brocade Network Advisor 12.3 upgrade paths are from Brocade Network
Advisor 12.0, 12.1.x., and 12.2.x.. Customers still using Brocade Network Advisor 11.x
must first upgrade to Brocade Network Advisor 12.0/12.1.x/12.2.x. Brocade DCFM
customers must first migrate from Brocade DCFM to Brocade Network Advisor 11.1.x
before performing the Brocade Network Advisor 12.3 upgrade.
Q How do I migrate to Brocade Network Advisor 12.3 if I have Brocade IronView Manager
(INM)?
A Upgrades from Brocade INM to Brocade Network Advisor for IP require a new software
license key. Users should refer to the Brocade INM Migration Guide for a complete list of
supported data migrations and features. IP users may add SAN management to Brocade
Network Advisor 12.3 for SAN+IP network management with the procurement of
additional features.
Device Support
Q Which Brocade IP devices are supported by Brocade Network Advisor?
A Brocade Network Advisor supports a wide range of Brocade IP devices, such as:
 Brocade Vyatta® vRouter
 Brocade BigIron® RX Series (4-, 8-, 16-slot chassis)
 Brocade FastIron® CX Series (624S, 648S, 624-E, 624-I, 648-E, 648-I)
 Brocade FastIron SX Series (800 and 1600)
 Brocade FastIron GS Series (648)
 Brocade FastIron LS Series
 Brocade ICX® switches (6610, 6430, 6450, 6650, and 7750)
 Brocade NetIron® CES 2000 Series (2048)
 Brocade NetIron CER 2000 Series
 Brocade 6910 Ethernet Access Switches
 Brocade MLX® Series
 Brocade MLXe Core Routers
 Brocade TurboIron® 24X Switches
 Brocade ServerIron® ADX® Series
 Brocade Mobility wireless controllers (RFS6000, RFS7000, RFS4000, and RFS9510)
 Brocade Mobility Access Points (7131, 7131N, 6511, and 5181)
 Brocade VDX switches (6710, 6720, 6730, 6740, and 8770)
A complete list of supported Brocade IP devices is available in the Brocade Network
Advisor Installation and Migration Guide.
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Q Which Brocade SAN devices are supported by Brocade Network Advisor?
A Brocade Network Advisor supports all Brocade SAN backbones, switches, and directors
(including Brocade Gen 5 Fibre Channel SAN platforms), as well as Brocade Fibre
Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) switches, Fibre Channel over IP (FCIP) switches, and
encryption switches. For a complete list of supported hardware, refer to the Brocade
Network Advisor Installation and Migration Guide.
Q What adapters are supported by Brocade Network Advisor?
A Emulex Adapters are currently supported in Brocade Network Advisor 12.3. QLogic
Adapter support will be added by October 2014.
Brocade Network Advisor System Requirements
SUPPORTED OPERATING SYSTEMS







Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard, Data Center, and
Enterprise Editions
Windows Server 2012 Standard, Data Center Editions
Windows 7 Enterprise
Windows 8 Enterprise
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 Adv
Oracle Enterprise Linux 6.1, 6.2, 6.3
VMware ESXi 5.1, KVM RH 6.3, and Microsoft Hyper-V (HyperV Server 2008 R2 SP1) with Guest VMs of: All of the above
SERVER REQUIREMENTS FOR 64-BIT WINDOWS AND LINUX SYSTEMS
Small Network
Medium Network
Large Network
Intel Core 2 Duo, 2 GHz or
Intel Core 2 Duo Dual-CPU, 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Dual-CPU,
equivalent, 8 GB RAM,
or equivalent, 8 to 16* GB RAM,
2.4 GHz or equivalent, 8 to
20 GB disk
60 GB disk
16* GB RAM, 80 GB disk
* 64-bit Windows systems require 8 GB RAM. 16 GB RAM is required for SAN+IP, medium, or large network
deployments.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR WEB CLIENTS
Web Browser
Version Supported
Platforms
Firefox
24.0 or later
Windows and Linux
Internet Explorer
11.0.7
Windows 7 with SP1, Windows 8.1, Windows Server
2008 R2 with SP1, Windows Server 2012 R2
Chrome
33.0
Windows
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SCALABILITY RECOMMENDATIONS BY BROCADE NETWORK ADVISOR EDITION
Enterprise Edition
Small
Professional
Plus Edition
Professional
Edition
Medium
Large
SAN Switch Ports 2,000
5,000
15,000
2,560
300
SAN Switches and Access
40
Gateways
100
400
100
40
SAN Devices
5,000
15,000
40,000
5,000
1,000
SAN Fabrics
2
50
100
100
2
Not supported
20
IP switches
20
200
5,050 (with
performance
monitoring on up
to 20,000 ports)
MPLS switches
1
10
100
Not supported
Not supported
Brocade VDX
switches
40
100
400
Not supported
20
Managed hosts
20
100
400
100
20
vCenters
1
5
10
5
1
5,000
10,000
5,000
1,000
VMs (includes
1,000
powered down VMs)
Q Does Brocade Network Advisor support 32-bit Windows and Linux systems?
A Brocade Network Advisor does provide limited support for 32-bit Windows and Linux
systems. Brocade highly recommends a 64-bit Windows or Linux system to take
advantage of the full capabilities of Brocade Network Advisor.
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Learn More
Q How do I find out more about Brocade Network Advisor?
A Contact your Brocade Sales Representative or Partner for more details or visit
www.brocade.com/networkadvisor.
© 2014 Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 09/14
ADX, AnyIO, Brocade, Brocade Assurance, the B-wing symbol, DCX, Fabric OS,
HyperEdge, ICX, MLX, MyBrocade, OpenScript, VCS, VDX, and Vyatta are registered
trademarks, and The Effortless Network and The On-Demand Data Center are
trademarks of Brocade Communications Systems, Inc., in the United States and/or in
other countries. Other brands, products, or service names mentioned may be
trademarks of others.
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