{"id":2112,"date":"2025-11-02T06:33:31","date_gmt":"2025-11-02T06:33:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nicktailor.com\/?p=2112"},"modified":"2025-11-02T07:00:58","modified_gmt":"2025-11-02T07:00:58","slug":"cisco-vs-brocade-san-switch-commands-explained-with-diagnostics-and-examples","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nicktailor.com\/tech-blog\/cisco-vs-brocade-san-switch-commands-explained-with-diagnostics-and-examples\/","title":{"rendered":"Cisco vs Brocade SAN Switch Commands Explained (with Diagnostics and Examples)"},"content":{"rendered":"
Enterprise SAN switches from Cisco (MDS)<\/strong> and Brocade (Broadcom)<\/strong> power mission-critical storage networks. Whether you manage VMware, EMC VPLEX, or multi-array clusters, understanding the core and diagnostic commands is essential for maintaining performance and uptime.This article lists the most common operational, configuration, and diagnostic commands, explained clearly and paired with real-world examples.<\/p>\n
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1. System Information & Status<\/h2>\n

Cisco MDS (NX-OS)<\/h3>\n
show version<\/code><\/pre>\n
Displays firmware, hardware details, and uptime \u2014 used after upgrades or new deployments.<\/p>\n
show interface brief<\/code><\/pre>\n
Summarizes Fibre Channel interfaces and states (up\/down, speed, port mode).<\/p>\n
show flogi database<\/code><\/pre>\n
Shows all devices that have logged in via Fibre Channel \u2014 used to verify host and storage visibility.<\/p>\n
show zoneset active<\/code><\/pre>\n
Lists currently active zoning configurations (zonesets) per VSAN.<\/p>\n
copy running-config startup-config<\/code><\/pre>\n
Saves current configuration to flash memory so it persists after reboot.<\/p>\n
Brocade (Fabric OS)<\/h3>\n
version<\/code><\/pre>\n
Displays Fabric OS version and hardware model.<\/p>\n
switchshow<\/code><\/pre>\n
Quick overview of all ports, their online state, speed, and connected devices.<\/p>\n
fabricshow<\/code><\/pre>\n
Lists fabric membership (Domain IDs and ISLs) \u2014 essential when managing multi-switch fabrics.<\/p>\n
portshow 1<\/code><\/pre>\n
Detailed statistics for port 1: WWN, speed, signal quality, and status.<\/p>\n
cfgshow<\/code><\/pre>\n
Displays all zones, aliases, and configurations (both defined and active).<\/p>\n
Tip:<\/strong> Run switchshow<\/code> or show interface brief<\/code> after power-up to confirm all ports and fabrics are operational.<\/p>\n
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2. Port Configuration Commands<\/h2>\n
Cisco<\/h3>\n
conf t\ninterface fc1\/1\n  switchport mode F\n  switchport vsan 10\n  no shut<\/code><\/pre>\n
Explanation:<\/strong><\/p>\n
    \n
  • switchport mode F<\/code> \u2014 “Fabric” mode for end devices.<\/li>\n
  • switchport vsan 10<\/code> \u2014 Assigns port to VSAN 10.<\/li>\n
  • no shut<\/code> \u2014 Enables the port.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
    Brocade<\/h3>\n
    portcfgenable 1\nportcfgspeed 1,16\nportname 1 \"ESXi01_HBA1\"<\/code><\/pre>\n
    Enable, set speed, and name ports before connecting hosts \u2014 helps in troubleshooting and documentation.<\/p>\n
    \n
    3. Zoning Configuration<\/h2>\n
    Cisco NX-OS<\/h3>\n
    vsan database\n  vsan 10 name PROD_VSAN\nzoneset name PROD_ZS vsan 10\n  zone name ESXi01_to_VPLEX vsan 10\n    member pwwn 20:00:00:25:B5:11:22:33\n    member pwwn 20:00:00:25:B5:44:55:66\nzoneset activate name PROD_ZS vsan 10<\/code><\/pre>\n
    VSANs<\/strong> isolate fabrics, zones<\/strong> define host-to-storage pairs, and zonesets<\/strong> apply configurations.<\/p>\n
    Brocade (FOS)<\/h3>\n
    alicreate \"ESXi01_HBA1\",\"20:00:00:25:B5:11:22:33\"\nalicreate \"VPLEX01_P1\",\"20:00:00:25:B5:44:55:66\"\nzonecreate \"ESXi01_to_VPLEX\",\"ESXi01_HBA1;VPLEX01_P1\"\ncfgcreate \"PROD_CFG\",\"ESXi01_to_VPLEX\"\ncfgenable \"PROD_CFG\"\ncfgsave<\/code><\/pre>\n
    Create aliases for readability, define zones between host and target, and enable the configuration.<\/p>\n
    \n
    4. Fabric and Topology Checks<\/h2>\n
    Cisco<\/h3>\n
    show topology\nshow fcns database\nshow vsan\nshow interface fc1\/1<\/code><\/pre>\n
    Use these to confirm fabric structure, device registration, and interface health.<\/p>\n
    Brocade<\/h3>\n
    fabricshow\nislshow\nswitchshow\nnsshow<\/code><\/pre>\n
    islshow<\/code> and fabricshow<\/code> confirm ISL health and fabric membership after adding switches.<\/p>\n
    \n
    5. Diagnostic & Troubleshooting Commands<\/h2>\n
    Cisco MDS Diagnostics<\/h3>\n
    show interface fc1\/1 counters\nshow interface fc1\/1 details\nshow flogi database\nshow zoneset active vsan 10\nshow logging log\nshow tech-support details\nshow interface transceiver details<\/code><\/pre>\n