Brocade SANnav Management Software

Basic Information

Broadcom Brocade SANnav Management Software is a suite of applications designed for comprehensive Storage Area Network (SAN) management. It includes the SANnav Management Portal for managing individual SAN fabrics and the SANnav Global View for aggregating data and providing a unified view across multiple SANnav Management Portal instances.

• Model: Brocade SANnav Management Portal (Base Edition, Enterprise Edition), Brocade SANnav Global View.
• Version: The latest stable version is 3.0.0x for both SANnav Management Portal and SANnav Global View. Previous versions include 2.4.0x, 2.3.1x, 2.3.0x, 2.2.x, 2.1.x, 2.0.0a, 2.0.0, and 1.1.1.
• Release Date: The initial release of Brocade SANnav Management Portal and Global View occurred around December 2018. Version 3.0.0 was released to support Gen 8 hardware and Fabric OS (FOS) v10.0.0x.
• Minimum Requirements: Detailed minimum hardware requirements are typically found in specific installation guides. The software deploys as a virtual appliance, compatible with VMware vCenter and ESXi 8.x, or as a bare-metal installation on a Linux server.
• Supported Operating Systems: Primarily Linux, with Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) being the main supported distribution. CentOS was previously supported, but newer versions of SANnav (e.g., v2.3.1x and later) no longer support CentOS 7.9 or RHEL 7.9. SANnav v3.0.0x is validated for RHEL 9.7.
• Latest Stable Version: SANnav Management Portal and Global View v3.0.0x.
• End of Support Date: End of Support (EOS) dates vary by version. For instance, SANnav v2.3.x has an EOS date of December 30, 2025. SANnav v2.2.x reached EOS on January 15, 2025, and SANnav v2.1.x on July 28, 2023.
• End of Life Date: Broadcom has an End-of-Life (EOL) process for its products, and support for individual versions continues for valid contracts until their respective EOS dates.
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Not explicitly specified in publicly available documentation.
• License Type: Subscription-based. Options include Trial, Base Edition, and Enterprise Edition. Subscription durations range from 1 to 7 years, with some OEM partners offering 1, 3, or 5-year terms. Trial licenses were previously 90 days but are no longer directly available; users must contact a sales representative.
• Deployment Model: Locally installed as a virtual appliance (VMware vCenter and ESXi) or bare-metal on a Linux server. It utilizes a micro-services architecture, transitioning from Docker container technology to Podman in version 3.0.0.

Technical Requirements

Broadcom Brocade SANnav Management Software is designed for enterprise-grade SAN environments, necessitating robust underlying infrastructure.

• RAM: Specific RAM requirements are not detailed in general documentation but are part of the "System and Server Requirements" for specific versions and deployment scales.
• Processor: Specific processor requirements are not detailed in general documentation but are part of the "System and Server Requirements" for specific versions and deployment scales.
• Storage: Specific storage requirements are not detailed in general documentation but are part of the "System and Server Requirements" for specific versions and deployment scales.
• Display: A standard display is required for accessing the browser-based user interface.
• Ports: Requires specific network ports to be open, including port 80 (continuously, not just during installation), 19094, 29094, and 39094.
• Operating System: Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is the primary supported operating system.

Analysis of Technical Requirements

The software's deployment as a virtual appliance or bare-metal on Linux indicates a need for server-class hardware. The actual resource allocation for RAM, CPU, and storage is highly dependent on the scale and complexity of the SAN environment being managed. Users should consult specific version documentation for precise sizing guidelines. The architectural shift to Podman in v3.0.0 reflects an adaptation to modern containerization practices.

Support & Compatibility

Broadcom Brocade SANnav Management Software offers extensive compatibility with Brocade Fibre Channel hardware and is backed by Broadcom's support services.

• Latest Version: SANnav Management Portal and Global View v3.0.0x.
• OS Support: Primarily Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Older versions supported CentOS, but this is no longer the case for recent releases.
• End of Support Date: Varies by software version; for example, SANnav v2.3.x has an EOS date of December 30, 2025.
• Localization: English is the primary supported language. Other languages and locales are generally not supported for SANnav Global View v3.0.0.
• Available Drivers: As management software, SANnav does not typically require traditional device drivers. It interacts with Brocade Fibre Channel switches and directors.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status

Broadcom provides support through its 24x7 Technical Assistance Center (TAC) and Customer Support Portal for customers with valid support contracts. SANnav supports a wide range of Brocade Fibre Channel hardware, including Gen 5, Gen 6, Gen 7, and Gen 8 switches and directors. It is compatible with various Fabric OS (FOS) versions, such as FOS 9.2.2x, 9.2.1x, 9.1.x, 9.0.x, and 8.2.3d/e or later. Limited support is available for some older Gen 4 and Gen 5 platforms with specific FOS versions. The software features a browser-based user interface, supporting modern web browsers like Firefox, Chrome, and Edge.

Security Status

Broadcom Brocade SANnav Management Software includes various security features, though it has faced significant vulnerability disclosures in the past.

• Security Features: Built-in security features include monitoring and alerting for security configuration changes, customizable security thresholds, proper access control, viewing switch security events, and automatic distribution of SSL certificates across the SAN. It supports deployment on RHEL servers with FIPS-140 mode enabled.
• Known Vulnerabilities: Multiple severe vulnerabilities were identified in versions up to and including 2.3.0, with patches released in April 2024 for v2.3.1 (released December 2023). Key vulnerabilities include:
  • CVE-2024-2859: Insecure SSH configuration (CVSS score 8.8), allowing unauthenticated remote root access and arbitrary command execution.
  • CVE-2024-29963: Hardcoded Docker Keys (CVSS score 8.6) in OVA images before v2.3.1 and v2.3.0a. Broadcom considers the risk minimal as SANnav does not access remote Docker registries.
  • CVE-2024-4159: Incorrect firewall rules.
  • CVE-2024-4161: Syslog traffic sent in clear-text.
  • CVE-2024-29966: Insecure root access due to hardcoded credentials.
  • Lack of encryption for management protocol (HTTP) if HTTPS is blocked.
  • CVE-2024-29960: Hardcoded SSH Keys in the OVA image.
  • Insecure Docker instances and architecture (CVE-2024-29967, CVE-2024-29964).
  • Lack of authentication in Postgres.
• Blacklist Status: No information indicates a blacklist status.
• Certifications: Supports FIPS-140 mode.
• Encryption Support: Supports SSL certificates for authenticity and encryption settings. Hardware encryption for data-in-flight is available on related Brocade extension switches. However, older vulnerabilities highlighted a lack of encryption for certain management protocols and clear-text syslog traffic.
• Authentication Methods: Supports integration with external authentication servers such as AD LDAP, CA LDAP, AD Global Catalog, RADIUS, TACACS+, and SAML Identity Provider (IdP) authentication. One user review noted that multi-factor authentication is "not fully available."
• General Recommendations: Users should prioritize upgrading to the latest patched versions (e.g., v2.3.1 or later) to address known vulnerabilities. Implementing robust access controls, regularly monitoring security events, and avoiding insecure protocols like HTTP for management are crucial.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating

While SANnav incorporates security features and supports industry standards like FIPS-140, the history of numerous severe vulnerabilities, and the time taken to release patches, indicate past weaknesses in the product's security posture and development lifecycle. This necessitates a proactive approach from users, emphasizing timely updates and adherence to comprehensive security best practices to maintain a secure SAN environment.

Performance & Benchmarks

Broadcom Brocade SANnav Management Software focuses on providing deep insights into SAN performance and optimizing operations.

• Benchmark Scores: Specific, publicly available benchmark scores for SANnav Management Software are not detailed in the search results.
• Real-world Performance Metrics: SANnav collects millions of real-time metrics, including I/O traffic, utilization rates, and latency, transforming this data into actionable insights. It provides health scores for SAN fabrics, switches, hosts, and storage. The software is architected for scalability to manage large SAN environments.
• Power Consumption: Specific power consumption metrics for the software itself are not available, as it runs on general-purpose server hardware.
• Carbon Footprint: Specific carbon footprint data is not available.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: SANnav is positioned as a modern, intuitive alternative to older SAN management tools like Brocade Network Advisor, offering enhanced visualization, automation, and troubleshooting capabilities.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status

SANnav is designed to deliver comprehensive performance monitoring and analysis, enabling administrators to quickly identify, isolate, and correct problems. Its ability to provide real-time and historical data, coupled with a micro-services architecture, supports efficient management and scalability for complex SAN infrastructures. While specific benchmark numbers are not provided, the software's design emphasizes operational efficiency and accelerated problem resolution through advanced analytics and visualization.

User Reviews & Feedback

User feedback highlights several strengths and a notable weakness for Broadcom Brocade SANnav Management Software.

• Strengths: Users appreciate its centralized management capabilities for SAN switches and advanced performance monitoring. The intuitive, browser-based graphical user interface (GUI) simplifies workflows, automates tasks, and accelerates deployment. It provides comprehensive visibility and actionable insights, significantly reducing troubleshooting time. It is particularly effective for managing large SAN switch infrastructures.
• Weaknesses: A notable concern raised in user feedback is the lack of fully available multi-factor authentication. Additionally, the significant number of severe security vulnerabilities identified in older versions, and the time taken to patch them, represent a considerable weakness.
• Recommended Use Cases: SANnav is recommended for managing medium to large SAN environments, especially those with multiple SAN fabrics where SANnav Global View can provide aggregated insights. It is well-suited for automating SAN management tasks, troubleshooting performance issues, identifying anomalies, and integrating with other management solutions like VMware vCenter.

Summary

Broadcom Brocade SANnav Management Software, comprising the SANnav Management Portal and SANnav Global View, offers a modern, browser-based solution for managing complex Storage Area Networks. Its strengths lie in providing comprehensive visibility, advanced performance monitoring, and automation capabilities that streamline SAN operations and accelerate troubleshooting. The intuitive GUI and ability to aggregate data across multiple SAN instances significantly enhance administrative efficiency, making it a valuable tool for medium to large enterprise SAN environments.

However, the software has faced challenges, particularly concerning security. A series of severe vulnerabilities in older versions, which took considerable time to address, highlights a need for continuous vigilance and prompt updates from users. The reported limitation in multi-factor authentication also points to an area for improvement in security features.

Overall, SANnav is a powerful and capable SAN management platform that can significantly improve operational efficiency and provide critical insights into SAN health and performance. To maximize its benefits and mitigate risks, it is crucial for organizations to deploy the latest stable and patched versions, adhere strictly to security best practices, and leverage its extensive compatibility with Brocade Fibre Channel hardware. Regular monitoring of Broadcom's security advisories and support documentation is essential for maintaining a secure and optimized SAN infrastructure.

Information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.