Brocade Network Advisor (BNA) Monitoring and Configuration

Back to: Brocade FC (Fibre Channel) Switches

Introduction

Brocade Network Advisor (BNA) is a comprehensive network management tool designed to monitor, manage, and configure Brocade SAN environments. This guide will walk you through the installation, initial setup, and monitoring capabilities of BNA.

1. BNA Overview

BNA provides end-to-end visibility and control for Brocade Fibre Channel SANs, IP networks, and converged infrastructures.

Key Features:

Centralized monitoring and management of Brocade switches and fabrics
Real-time performance monitoring and health checks
Automated zoning and configuration management
Event notifications and alerting
Reporting and historical data analysis

2. Installation

System Requirements

BNA Server Requirements:

CPU: 8 cores minimum
Memory: 32 GB RAM
Storage: 500 GB
OS: Windows Server 2016/2019 or Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 7/8
Java: Oracle JDK 8

Installation Steps

Download BNA: Obtain the installer from Broadcom’s support portal.
Install Dependencies: Ensure Java 8 is installed and set up.
Run Installer:
- Windows: Run the .exe file
- Linux: Execute the .bin file
Follow Installation Wizard:
- Accept license terms
- Define installation path
- Set admin username and password
Start BNA Services:
- Windows: Use the Services console to start Brocade Network Advisor
- Linux:
sudo systemctl start bna
Access BNA Web GUI: Open your browser and go to:
https://<BNA_Server_IP>:8443

3. Initial Configuration

Adding Devices

Log into BNA Web GUI.
Navigate to Network Discovery > Add Devices.
Enter the IP addresses or hostnames of Brocade switches.
Provide admin credentials.
Click Discover — devices will be listed once discovered.

Configuring Fabrics

Go to Fabrics > Create New Fabric.
Assign a name and select the switches to be part of this fabric.
Click Save.

Setting Up Users

Local Users: Configure admin and user roles under User Management.
LDAP Integration: Integrate BNA with your enterprise directory for authentication.

4. Monitoring with BNA

Real-time Monitoring

Dashboard: Shows key metrics like port status, IOPS, and latency.
Fabric Health: Navigate to Monitor > Fabrics to view health status and errors.

Performance Monitoring

Go to Monitor > Performance.
Select a switch or port.
View real-time graphs for:
- Throughput (MB/s)
- IOPS
- Port errors (CRC, timeout, etc.)

Event and Alert Management

Create an Alert:
- Go to Monitor > Events > Configure Alerts.
- Set triggers like high latency (>5ms) or port down.
Define Notification Methods:
- Email alerts
- SNMP traps
Enable Policy: Assign alerts to devices or fabrics.

5. Reporting and Automation

Generating Reports

Go to Reports: Monitor > Reports.
Select Report Type:
- Port utilization
- Fabric summary
- Event logs
Schedule Reports: Define report frequency (daily, weekly) and format (PDF, CSV).
Export Reports: Set email distribution for automatic delivery.

Automating Zoning

Navigate to Configure > Zoning.
Select a fabric and click Create Zone.
Add initiator and target ports.
Click Save and Activate.

6. Troubleshooting Guide

Common Issues and Solutions

Issue	Cause	Solution
Switch not discovered in BNA	IP misconfiguration	Verify switch IP and credentials
High latency alert	Network congestion or port error	Check port stats and reroute traffic
Authentication failures	Incorrect login or LDAP issue	Verify credentials and LDAP config
Report not generating	Misconfigured schedule	Adjust and re-test report setup
Fabric discovery incomplete	Unreachable switch	Check network routes and firewalls

Log Files

View Logs:sudo tail -f /var/log/BNA/bna.log
Generate Support Files: Navigate to Help > Support > Generate Logs.

7. Best Practices

Regular Monitoring: Review port stats and fabric health daily.
Threshold Adjustment: Set meaningful thresholds for latency and errors.
Backup Configurations: Schedule regular backups of BNA configurations.
Firmware Updates: Keep switches on the latest firmware to prevent compatibility issues.

Conclusion

Brocade Network Advisor (BNA) is a powerful tool for managing SAN environments. With real-time monitoring, robust alerting, and automated workflows, BNA helps maintain a healthy and optimized storage network.