Fibre Channel Troubleshooting and Trace Analysis Workshop Description

This workshop provides the student with a product-independent, structured approach to troubleshooting Fibre Channel problems with an emphasis on trace analysis. The workshop consists of a series of lecture topics with companion exercises. The lecture introduces a structured approach to problem solving, helps in understanding different types of problems and how to gather information to help in identifying and resolving problems. The lecture also provides an introduction to using a Fibre Channel analyzer to gather detailed information about a problem and how to analyze captured traces to identify problem behaviors The exercises provide a series of “hands-on” activities that give the student an opportunity to apply the information provided in the lecture. Students will install trace viewer software and use real world traces designed to illustrate different problem categories and provide an opportunity to analyze a number of problems.

Lecture Outline

Introduction and Overview
How to Approach Problem Solving
A Formal Problem Solving Process
The Problem Statement – Defining the Problem
What You Know, What You Don’t Know
The Interview – Information Gathering
Brainstorming Potential Causes
Verifying Your Solution
Understanding Problem Classes
Solid versus Intermittent Problems
Broken versus Design Problems
Standards versus Implementation
Interoperability Problems
Skill Level versus Problem Classes
Fibre Channel Problem Types
Understanding the Sequence of Events
Speed Negotiation
Link Initialization
Device Discovery
Fibre Channel Constructs
Login Session Problems

Exchange Problems
Sequence Problems
Frame Problems
Flow Control Issues
Access Control – Zoning
Performance Problems
Information Gathering
What is the Problem Symptom?
Using Event Logs
Name Server Database
Zoning Database
Using a Fibre Channel Analyzer
What is an Analyzer?
Setting up to Capture a Trace
Where to Connect?
Triggering
Filtering
Analyzing the Trace
Trace Analysis Software – An Expert Solution?
Xgig Expert
SanAlytics

Lab Exercises

The Problem Solving Process
Creating a Problem Statement
Using the Interview Process
Brainstorming – What Could Go Wrong With?
Ranking Potential Solutions
Install Trace Viewer Software
Trace Analysis Exercises
Link Initialization Failure Trace
Device Discovery Problem Trace

Login Problem Trace
Exchange Problem Trace
Sequence Problem Trace
Frame Problem Trace
Performance Problem Trace
Capturing a Trace
Installing the Analyzer
Setting Trigger and Filter Options

Who Should Attend:	This course is for developers, integrators, test and support personnel who need to be able to identify and solve Fibre Channel problems.
Prerequisites:	This is an advanced course that requires a solid understanding of the Fibre Channel technology. It is recommended that the student complete the In-Depth Fibre Channel course before taking this workshop.
Note:	Students are required to have access to a computer running Windows 2000 or Windows XP with 100 MB of free disk space available to install the trace viewer software and sample traces
Course Length:	3 days