HP Surestore 64 FW 05.01.00 and SW 07.01.00 HP StorageWorks SAN High Availabil - Page 60

Characteristics of Arbitrated Loop Operation, Shared Mode Versus Switched Mode

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Planning Considerations for Fibre Channel Topologies Characteristics of Arbitrated Loop Operation When implementing Fibre Channel arbitrated loop topology, consideration must be given to switch operating mode, device connectivity, and loop configuration. This section describes the characteristics of arbitrated loop operation, including: ■ Switch operation in shared mode or switched mode. ■ Connectivity of public loop devices and private loop devices. ■ Configuration of public arbitrated loops and private arbitrated loops. Shared Mode Versus Switched Mode Arbitrated loop switches operate in shared or switched mode as follows: ■ Shared mode - When set to shared mode, the switch acts as a hub that implements arbitrated loop topology (although the loop has the physical appearance of a star configuration). When a loop circuit is initialized and established, arbitration protocol ensures that only one device attached to a hub port (H_Port) owns the loop at a time. The port establishes communication with another device attached to an H_Port (or the B_Port), and half-duplex or full-duplex operation (the default is half duplex) allows the devices to transmit or receive frames at 1.0625 Gbps. During frame transmission between these devices, the full bandwidth of the switch is used and no other H_Ports or devices are available for connection. When frame transmission completes, the loop circuit closes and other devices are able to contend for operation (using standard loop arbitration). Shared mode operation is illustrated in Figure 21. Part (A) shows server S2 connected to device D2 and communicating at 1.0625 Gbps. The B_Port and six remaining H_Ports are inactive. Subsequently, part (B) shows public device D1 connected to fabric-attached server S1, also communicating at 1.0625 Gbps (through the B_Port). The seven remaining H_Ports are inactive. Note: A Director 2/64 is shown in Figure 21 and other figures as an example. Any HP director or edge switch can be used. 60 SAN High Availability Planning Guide

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Planning Considerations for Fibre Channel Topologies
60
SAN High Availability Planning Guide
Characteristics of Arbitrated Loop Operation
When implementing Fibre Channel arbitrated loop topology, consideration must
be given to switch operating mode, device connectivity, and loop configuration.
This section describes the characteristics of arbitrated loop operation, including:
Switch operation in shared mode or switched mode.
Connectivity of public loop devices and private loop devices.
Configuration of public arbitrated loops and private arbitrated loops.
Shared Mode Versus Switched Mode
Arbitrated loop switches operate in shared or switched mode as follows:
Shared mode —
When set to shared mode, the switch acts as a hub that
implements arbitrated loop topology (although the loop has the physical
appearance of a star configuration). When a loop circuit is initialized and
established, arbitration protocol ensures that only one device attached to a hub
port (H_Port) owns the loop at a time.
The port establishes communication with another device attached to an
H_Port (or the B_Port), and half-duplex or full-duplex operation (the default
is half duplex) allows the devices to transmit or receive frames at 1.0625
Gbps. During frame transmission between these devices, the full bandwidth of
the switch is used and no other H_Ports or devices are available for
connection. When frame transmission completes, the loop circuit closes and
other devices are able to contend for operation (using standard loop
arbitration).
Shared mode operation is illustrated in
Figure 21
. Part (A) shows server S
2
connected to device D
2
and communicating at 1.0625 Gbps. The B_Port and
six remaining H_Ports are inactive. Subsequently, part (B) shows public
device D
1
connected to fabric-attached server S
1
, also communicating at
1.0625 Gbps (through the B_Port). The seven remaining H_Ports are inactive.
Note:
A Director 2/64 is shown in
Figure 21
and other figures as an example. Any HP
director or edge switch can be used.