HP StorageWorks 2/16V HP StorageWorks Fabric OS 5.3.x administrator guide (569 - Page 352

Standard trunking criteria, Fabric considerations, Connections between SAN Switch 4/32 - storageworks 232

Page 352 highlights

Connections between SAN Switch 4/32, SAN Switch 4/32B, 4/64 SAN Switch, and 4/256 SAN Director (using FC4-16 and FC4-32 port blades) models support these advanced features: • Up to eight ports in one trunk group to create high performance 32-Gbit/sec ISL trunks between switches • ISL Trunking over longer distances than other models • Dynamic trunk master reassignment if a trunk master is disabled (on other platforms, all ports on a trunk must be disabled temporarily to reassign a master) • 4 Gbit/sec trunk links The maximum number of ports per trunk and trunks per switch depends on the HP StorageWorks model. For detailed information about trunking commands, refer to online help or the Fabric OS Command Reference Manual. Standard trunking criteria Observe the following criteria for standard distance trunking: • There must be a direct connection between participating switches. • Trunk ports must reside in the same port group. • Trunk ports must run at the same speed (either 2 Gbit/sec or 4 Gbit/sec). • Trunk ports must be set to the same ISL mode (L0 is the default). For details on extended ISL modes, refer to Table 38 on page 232. • Trunk ports must be E_Ports. • For optimal performance, no more than 30 meters difference is recommended. • The switch.interopMode parameter must be set to 0. • The port ISL mode must be disabled (using the portCfgIslMode command). Fabric considerations The ISL Trunking feature is provided with the Fabric OS and can be activated by entering a license key, available from the switch supplier. When the ISL Trunking license is activated (after you have entered the switchDisable and switchEnable commands), trunking is automatically implemented for any eligible ISLs. A license must be activated on each switch that participates in trunking. To use ISL Trunking in the fabric, the fabric must be designed to allow trunking groups to form. To identify the most useful trunking groups, evaluate the traffic patterns before designing or redesigning the fabric. This also applies to the SAN Director 2/128 configured with two domains, and the 4/256 SAN Director, which does not support two domains. ISL Trunking can be used to simplify storage area network design and improve performance. When designing the SAN, consider the following recommendations in addition to the standard guidelines for SAN design: • Evaluate the traffic patterns within the fabric. • Place trunking-capable switches adjacent to each other. This maximizes the number of trunking groups that can form. If you are using a core/edge topology, place trunking-capable switches at the core of the fabric and any switches that are not trunking-capable at the edge of the fabric. • Activate an ISL Trunking license on each switch that is to participate in a trunking group. • For optimal performance, no more than 30 meters difference is recommended. • When connecting two switches with two or more ISLs, ensure that all trunking requirements are met to allow a trunking group to form. • Determine the optimal number of trunking groups between each set of linked switches, depending on traffic patterns and port availability. The goal is to avoid traffic congestion without unnecessarily using ports that could be used to attach other switches or devices. Consider these points: 360 Administering ISL Trunking

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360
Administering ISL Trunking
Connections between SAN Switch 4/32, SAN Switch 4/32B, 4/64 SAN Switch, and 4/256 SAN
Director (using FC4-16 and FC4-32 port blades) models support these advanced features:
Up to eight ports in one trunk group to create high performance 32-Gbit/sec ISL trunks between
switches
ISL Trunking over longer distances than other models
Dynamic trunk master reassignment if a trunk master is disabled (on other platforms, all ports on a trunk
must be disabled temporarily to reassign a master)
4 Gbit/sec trunk links
The maximum number of ports per trunk and trunks per switch depends on the HP StorageWorks model.
For detailed information about trunking commands, refer to online help or the
Fabric OS Command
Reference Manual
.
Standard trunking criteria
Observe the following criteria for standard distance trunking:
There must be a direct connection between participating switches.
Trunk ports must reside in the same port group.
Trunk ports must run at the same speed (either 2 Gbit/sec or 4 Gbit/sec).
Trunk ports must be set to the same ISL mode (L0 is the default). For details on extended ISL modes,
refer to
Table 38
on page 232.
Trunk ports must be E_Ports.
For optimal performance, no more than 30 meters difference is recommended.
The
switch.interopMode
parameter must be set to 0.
The port ISL mode must be disabled (using the
portCfgIslMode
command).
Fabric considerations
The ISL Trunking feature is provided with the Fabric OS and can be activated by entering a license key,
available from the switch supplier. When the ISL Trunking license is activated (after you have entered the
switchDisable
and
switchEnable
commands), trunking is automatically implemented for any
eligible ISLs.
A license must be activated on each switch that participates in trunking.
To use ISL Trunking in the fabric, the fabric must be designed to allow trunking groups to form. To identify
the most useful trunking groups, evaluate the traffic patterns before designing or redesigning the fabric.
This also applies to the SAN Director 2/128 configured with two domains, and the 4/256 SAN Director,
which does not support two domains.
ISL Trunking can be used to simplify storage area network design and improve performance. When
designing the SAN, consider the following recommendations in addition to the standard guidelines for
SAN design:
Evaluate the traffic patterns within the fabric.
Place trunking-capable switches adjacent to each other.
This maximizes the number of trunking groups that can form. If you are using a core/edge topology,
place trunking-capable switches at the core of the fabric and any switches that are not trunking-capable
at the edge of the fabric.
Activate an ISL Trunking license on each switch that is to participate in a trunking group.
For optimal performance, no more than 30 meters difference is recommended.
When connecting two switches with two or more ISLs, ensure that all trunking requirements are met to
allow a trunking group to form.
Determine the optimal number of trunking groups between each set of linked switches, depending on
traffic patterns and port availability.
The goal is to avoid traffic congestion without unnecessarily using ports that could be used to attach
other switches or devices. Consider these points: