Fibre Channel link failures

When a failure occurs on a single Fibre Channel link, the small form-factor pluggable (SFP) transceiver might need to be replaced.

Before you begin

The following items can indicate that a single Fibre Channel link failed:
  • The Fibre Channel status LEDs at the rear of the node canister
  • An error that indicates a single port failed.
  • You can use lsportstats to see statistics about the port, such as error counts and RX power. If lsportstats is not available on your system software level, you can get a utility package from Fix Central that installs a utilportstats command.

Procedure

Attempt each of these actions, in the following order, until the failure is fixed.

  1. Ensure that the Fibre Channel cable is securely connected at each end.
  2. Replace the Fibre Channel cable.
  3. Replace the SFP transceiver for the failing port on the node.
    Note: If the system is supported by both longwave SFP transceiver and shortwave SFP transceiver. You must replace an SFP transceiver with the same type of SFP transceiver. If the SFP transceiver to replace is a longwave SFP transceiver, for example, you must provide a suitable replacement. Removing the wrong SFP transceiver might result in loss of data access.
  4. Perform the Fibre Channel switch service procedures for a failing Fibre Channel link. This procedure might involve replacing the SFP transceiver at the switch.
  5. Replace the Fibre Channel adapter on the node.
  6. If you are using lsportstats, run the command to check that the Rx power and Tx power are greater than the low alarm thresholds.
    Run the command again after an hour or more to check that the error counts are no longer increasing.
  7. Contact your support center for assistance in replacing the canister in the enclosure or node canister.