Yes you need to make sure you have host redundancy before you start the switch replacement I have attached the Mcdata CBR Utility to help you in backing up and restoring the configuration.  Once confirmed you will need to copy the configuration from the old switch to the new switch you may need to edit the Domain ID and also mind you it may have a completely different firmware on it so you may have to either upgrade/downgrade it accordingly but if it's under contract with EMC our CE will handle this.  Once the new configuration is installed you will need to get the proper licenses that were installed on your existing switch over to your new one.  If the customer needs an SE License key, provide the customer with it and  then forward an email to licensekeys[NAME].com and include the service request number, customer Site ID/Name, and license key(s) provided.  Also, record the old switch serial number and the serial number and WWN of the replacement switch.  Contact licensekeys[NAME].com  or call 1-800-782-4362 Option 4  EMC will then provide the customer with a single license key that will enable the exact number of flexports that they had prior to replacing the switch, whether that was 8 or 16 flexports.  I hope this information helps you -Jeff
Hi,  After having problems upgrading the firmware in one of my two DS-4400M switches and opening an SR, an engineer will be coming out to replace the switch that won't upgrade.  I would like to do the switch repleacement while our systems are operating. Is there anything I should look out for?  Our enviroment is   3 ESX3.5U5 hosts fully patched with all VMware patches  2 DS-4400M switches. One upgraded to 09.06.02 and the one to be replaced stuck at 09.01.00  1 CX300 array running 2.26.300.5.005 on both SPs  All hosts are connected to both switches and both switches are connected to both SPs.  I expect we will need to load the configuration of the switch to be replaced to the new switch.  I'm hoping/expecting our enviroment to be fully redundant and for the systems to sail through the switch change!
Things to look out for when replacing a DS-4400M switch