Overview: Exemption for Fabric Interconnect & SAN Switch Parameters
The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), functioning under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has issued an official clarification under the Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) framework on 31 October 2025.
Through this notification, TEC has granted a temporary exemption from submitting test reports for certain Fibre Channel–related parameters under LAN Switch Essential Requirements (ERs). The exemption applies to Fabric Interconnect Switches and SAN Switches, only when the specified parameters are not supported by the equipment.
The exemption is valid up to 30 April 2026 or until further orders and can be availed only by submitting a mandatory OEM declaration on the MTCTE portal. All other MTCTE compliance requirements remain unchanged.
Key Highlights of the MTCTE Exemption Notification
- Issued by: Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), DoT
- Notification Date: 31 October 2025
- Applicable To: Fabric Interconnect Switch & SAN Switch
- Scope: Exemption from test reports for unsupported Fibre Channel parameters
- Condition: Mandatory OEM declaration on MTCTE portal
- Validity: Up to 30 April 2026 or until further notification
What Is This MTCTE Update About?
This MTCTE update relates to a temporary exemption from submitting test reports for certain Fibre Channel–related technical parameters during the MTCTE certification process.
TEC has clarified that when these specific Fibre Channel parameters are not supported by the equipment, manufacturers and applicants are not required to conduct laboratory testing or submit test reports. Instead, compliance can be completed by submitting a formal declaration on the MTCTE portal.
The exemption applies only to Fabric Interconnect Switches and SAN Switches covered under LAN Switch Essential Requirements (ERs) and is valid up to 30 April 2026 or until further orders. All other MTCTE testing and documentation requirements remain unchanged.
Why This MTCTE Update Is Important for LAN and SAN Switch Certification
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Simplified Certification Process:
Removes the need to test Fibre Channel parameters that are not supported by the equipment.
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Reduced Testing Burden:
Limits laboratory testing only to applicable features, making compliance more efficient.
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Faster MTCTE Approvals:
A smaller testing scope helps shorten certification timelines and approval cycles.
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Lower Compliance Costs:
Avoids unnecessary spending on testing optional or unsupported technical parameters.
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Better Management of Product Variants:
Helps manufacturers and importers manage multiple models with different feature sets.
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Clearer Regulatory Compliance:
Declaration-based confirmation reduces ambiguity during MTCTE application review.
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Smoother Market Entry:
Enables eligible products to reach the Indian market without avoidable certification delays.
Equipment Covered Under the MTCTE Exemption
The exemption applies to the following product variants covered under LAN Switch Essential Requirements (ERs) as defined under the MTCTE framework:
- Fabric Interconnect Switch
- SAN Switch
These equipment categories are widely used in enterprise networks, data centres, and storage environments and remain regulated under MTCTE for security, safety, and compliance requirements.
Exempted Switch Channel Parameters under MTCTE
TEC has exempted the submission of test reports for the following Fibre Channel–related parameters, provided they are not supported by the equipment.
As part of this MTCTE clarification, TEC has allowed OEMs to skip submitting test reports for certain Fibre Channel–related parameters, as long as these features are not supported by the equipment being certified.
For Fabric Interconnect Switches, the exemption covers Fibre Channel Frame Encapsulation, defined under RFC 3643 (Annex P11), and Fibre Channel Static Routing, as per RFC 2625 (Annex P11).
Similarly, for SAN Switches, TEC has exempted test report submission for Fibre Channel Management under RFC 4044 (Annex P11) and Fibre Channel Static Routing under RFC 2625 (Annex P11).
This rephased clarification helps OEMs avoid unnecessary testing for unsupported features, reducing certification time and costs while keeping MTCTE compliance clear and straightforward.
Mandatory Declaration Requirement and Validity of the MTCTE Exemption
The exemption is conditional. If the submitted equipment does not support the above parameters, the OEM/applicant must upload a declaration on the MTCTE portal confirming non-support of each applicable parameter.
31 October 2025 → Implementation date of the MTCTE exemption
30 April 2026 → Exemption valid until (or further notification)
In continuation of TEC Office Letter No. 5-5/2024-TC/TEC dated 01 January 2025, along with its subsequent addendums dated 29 January 2025 and 16 October 2025, the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) has issued a further clarification on 31 October 2025 regarding exemptions under MTCTE.
As per this latest notification, exemption from submission of test reports for the specified test parameters related to LAN Switch Essential Requirements (ERs) under MTCTE has been granted up to 30 April 2026, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
Conclusion
The TEC notification on LAN and SAN switches provides temporary relief by exempting test report submission for specific Fibre Channel–related parameters under MTCTE. This update helps OEMs avoid unnecessary testing for unsupported features while maintaining compliance through mandatory declarations. Applicants should ensure accurate declarations are uploaded on the MTCTE portal and complete certification activities within the exemption validity period to avoid future compliance gaps.
Read the Official TEC Notification on MTCTE Exemption
This is the official notification issued by the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) regarding the temporary exemption from submission of test reports for certain Fibre Channel– related parameters under MTCTE. Applicants are advised to review the document for complete details, conditions, and validity timelines.
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