Q: What is the Brocade Developer Program?
A: The Brocade Developer Program facilitates partnerships with innovative companies that develop and deliver complimentary solutions to Brocade-based storage area networks. The program helps developers perform compatibility testing with Brocade products, create applications utilizing the Brocade SMI Agent (SMI-A), and build a stronger relationship with Brocade around SAN-related solutions. Brocade developer partners receive benefits and resources to help them achieve these goals.

Q: What are the different levels of membership within the Brocade Developer Program?
A: The Brocade Developer Program is a tiered program with three distinct membership levels (and associated benefits):

• Associate Developers: This free membership level provides a way to initiate a relationship with Brocade and receive limited access to the program's resources. Associate Developers typically require limited assistance from Brocade and are comfortable self-certifying the compatibility of their own products.
• Select Developers: This level of membership includes all of the advantages of an Associate Developer as well as additional benefits such as discounts on products and training, access to Brocade Data Center Ready testing facilities, and access to SMI-A support. Select Developers receive more assistance in the development, testing, and deployment of their solutions.
• Premier Developers: This level of membership includes key partners who are eligible for the full resources and benefits of the Brocade Developer Program. These partners receive the highest level of commitment from Brocade to help develop and deploy mutually beneficial solutions.

Q: Who should join the Brocade Developer Program?
A: The Brocade Developer Program welcomes companies of all sizes who develop complimentary solutions that interface to or interact with Brocade's networked storage solutions. Developer partners are hardware and software vendors who need assistance in designing, developing, and/or testing products that interoperate with Brocade products.

Companies that qualify as a developer partner usually need Brocade's assistance to verify interoperability of their solution with Brocade products or to access API software, like the SMI Agent, for the development of SAN applications. Along with this, the developer program provides an avenue for working with companies on the development of emerging technologies, like FAN.

Q: What are the focus areas of the Brocade Developer Program?
A: The Brocade Developer Program is divided into two main focus areas. Developer Partners receive access to the resources of all focus areas automatically.

1. Brocade Data Center Ready Program: The Brocade Data Center Ready program, previously called the Fabric Aware program, is a comprehensive testing and configuration initiative that fosters end-to-end SAN interoperability. This program provides developers with the resources and tools to verify product compatibility with a Brocade-based network environment. To receive Brocade Data Center Ready status, partner solutions must successfully complete a rigorous set of tests.
2. SMI Developer: For partners creating network applications, such as SAN management tools, the SMI Developer area includes resources to help leverage SMI-S. In particular, they receive access to the Brocade SMI Agent and SDK, additional software tools, and corresponding documentation.

Q: How do I join the Brocade Developer Program?
A: Applying for the Brocade Developer Program is an easy process that requires just a few minutes of your time. To begin, simply complete the online partner application and then a Brocade Developer Program representative will contact you within two weeks.

Q: What are the benefits of being a member of the Brocade Developer Program?
A: Some of the major benefits of the Brocade Developer Program include:

• Participation in one of the industry's largest ecosystem of heterogeneous storage networking solutions
• Inclusion in the Brocade Developer Partner Directory for greater visibility
• Building a working development partnership with Brocade
• Technical tools and resources for developing networked storage solutions
• Discounts on products, training and marketing materials
• Regular communication from Brocade through a Partner newsletter
• Data Center Ready certification opportunities and partner logo usage

Q: Where can I find a complete list of Brocade Developer Partners?
A: A complete list of all Brocade developers can be found in the Brocade Developer Partner Directory.

Q: What other partner programs does Brocade offer?
A: The majority of Brocade Partners can be split into three main categories: Sales and Distributor Partners, Strategic Partners, and Developer Partners. Partners who are interested in reselling Brocade products, establishing an OEM relationship, or learning more about sales-related opportunities should contact the Brocade sales teams at channel@brocade.com. Strategic Partners include those companies who have an established relationship with Brocade whose complimentary technology allows both companies to mutually benefit from a stronger partnership.

Q: What are the requirements for certifying my product as Brocade Data Center Ready?
A: The following requirements must be met prior to becoming Data Center Ready certified: 1. Join the Brocade Developer Program 2. Schedule a mutually agreed upon time to use the Brocade Data Center Ready lab 3. Provide a site representative to assist with set-up and coordination during the compatibility tests 4. Have the hardware or software to be tested shipped to the Data Center Ready team 5. Pay any applicable lab usage fees (see Brocade Developer Program agreement for details) 6. Successfully complete all compatibility tests

Q: Is there a fee for the testing?
A: Self-Certification is available to all developer partners at no charge. Data Center Ready Certification is conducted by Brocade engineers and involves a nominal fee. Review your Developer Program Agreement for details on the fee or contact the Data Center Ready team for more information.

Q: When does the certification expire?
A: In general, the certification expires at EOL of the product or Brocade switch; however, there may be other reasons for the certificate to expire. The Brocade Compatibility Matrix is updated regularly to reflect these changes.

Q: Can I certify multiple products in one testing cycle?
A: Yes, but the test cycle may take longer than the average of 3 days.

Q: Do I need to be present at the Brocade facility during Data Center Ready certification testing?
A: If requested, a technical representative from your company must be available to be onsite at Brocade to assist with installation and configuration as well as any technical problems that arise during the testing.

Q: What contractual agreements need to be signed?
A: The Brocade Developer Program Agreement and the Brocade Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) must be signed prior to the start of Data Center Ready testing.

Q: How long does testing take?
A: Self-Certification is at your own pace, but you should ensure that you obtain the latest test plan from Brocade before you execute the testing. For Data Center Ready certification, the time involved can vary. On average assume 3 days of testing per product.

Q: When will my newly certified product show up in the Brocade Compatibility Matrix?
A: Updates are scheduled in batches, and are performed on average about once monthly. Your product should show up in the next revision of the matrix subsequent to certification test completion.

Q: What if the product fails the testing?
A: For issues identified to the product under test during Data Center Ready testing, you should aim to resolve and retest within 90 days.

Q: Which set of switch values are applied on the Brocade switches?
A: Brocade recommended default switch values are applied as opposed to OEM default values.

Q: How do I know what drivers or firmware was applied during the testing?
A: The test report contains the details on the product and fabric configuration.

Q: What firmware will be used on the Brocade switches?
A: This is generally the latest GA code from Brocade for that switch model.

Q: Who should I contact with questions regarding compatibility testing?
A: For all compatibility testing needs, please send your questions and information to the Data Center Ready team, fabricaware@brocade.com.

For more information on the Brocade Developer Program in general, please send your questions to the Developer Program team at Brocade Data Center Ready Team.