Compaq ProLiant 8500 Compaq Parallel Database Cluster Model PDC/O1000 for Orac - Page 39
I/O Path Configurations in a NonRedundant Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop
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2-16 Compaq Parallel Database Cluster Model PDC/O1000 for Oracle8i and Windows 2000 Administrator Guide I/O Path Configurations in a Non-Redundant Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop Overview of FC-AL SAN Topology Fibre Channel standards define a multi-layered architecture for moving data across the storage area network (SAN). This layered architecture can be implemented using the Fibre Channel Fabric SAN or the Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL) SAN topology. The PDC/O1000 supports both topologies. When you use a Storage Hub to connect Fibre Host Adapters with RA4000/RA4100 Arrays, the FC-AL SAN acts as a shared gigabit transport with a total 100 MB/second bandwidth divided among all Storage Hub ports. The functional bandwidth available to any one device on a Storage Hub port is determined by the total population on the segment and the level of activity of devices on other ports. The more devices used, the less bandwidth that is available for each port. When you use a FC-AL Switch, the FC-AL SAN supports multiple 100 MB/second point-to-point connections in parallel. The FC-AL Switch provides multiple dedicated, non-blocking connections between Fibre Host Adapters and array controllers (as contrasted with the shared connections on a Storage Hub). The FC-AL Switch also eliminates the shared bandwidth speed limitations of the Storage Hub. Non-Redundant Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop The PDC/O1000 supports non-redundant Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loops (FC-ALs). A non-redundant FC-AL provides one I/O path between each cluster node and its Storage Hub or FC-AL Switch and one I/O data path between the Storage Hub or FC-AL Switch and the array controller in each of its RA4000/RA4100 Arrays. The switching hardware used distinguishes a non-redundant FC-AL from a non-redundant Fibre Channel Fabric. A non-redundant FC-AL uses one Storage Hub or FC-AL Switch installed between one Fibre Host Adapter in each cluster node and the RA4000 Array Controller in each RA4000/RA4100 Array for that loop. These hardware components cannot be shared by other non-redundant FC-ALs or non-redundant Fibre Channel Fabrics in the PDC/O1000 cluster.