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Connecting SAN Switches in a Layer 2 Network, Stacking Switches

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 Support for creating Link Aggregation Groups (LAG) For non-stacking switches, the ability to bind multiple physical ports into a single logical link for use as an inter-switch trunk (IST) is required. The switch should support designating one or more ports for IST (via Link Aggregation Groups). The switch should support creation of LAGs consisting of at least eight 1Gbps ports or at least two 10Gbps ports. Note: For 1GbE SANs, using non-stacking switches to connect three or more EqualLogic arrays into a single group may negatively impact SAN I/O throughput performance. 4.3.1 Connecting SAN Switches in a Layer 2 Network When more than one SAN switch is required, each switch connected to the array group members will be in the same subnet. These switches must be interconnected to provide a single switched Ethernet fabric. Figure 9 shows the two common methods for interconnecting switches, using either stacking switches or non-stacking switches. Figure 9 Switch Interconnects Stacking Switches Stacking switches provide the preferred method for creating an inter-switch connection within a Layer 2 network infrastructure. Stacking is typically accomplished using a vendor proprietary, high-bandwidth, low-latency interconnect that allows two or more switches to be connected in such a way that each switch becomes part of a larger, virtual switch. A stackable switch will provide a set of dedicated stacking ports. Installation of an optional stacking module may be required. Considerations for stacking link bandwidth: 1Gb Switches 10Gb Switches The stacking link bandwidth should be at least 10Gb/s in each direction on each wire (full-duplex) to provide adequate throughput to support an EqualLogic SAN consisting of 1Gb arrays. The stacking link bandwidth should be at least 40Gb/s in each direction on each wire (full-duplex) to provide adequate throughput to support an EqualLogic SAN consisting of 10Gb arrays or a mix of 1Gb and 10Gb arrays. Dell EqualLogic Configuration Guide v11.3 28

Section	Page
1 Introduction	6
1.1 Audience	6
1.2 Document Structure	6
2 PS Series Storage Arrays	7
2.1 Array Models	7
2.2 Feature Comparison	8
2.3 Controllers	9
2.3.1 Controller Types	9
2.3.2 Controller Redundancy	10
2.3.3 Controller Failover	10
2.3.4 Firmware	12
Firmware Upgrade	13
2.4 RAID Policies	14
2.4.1 RAID 5	14
2.4.2 RAID 6	15
2.4.3 RAID 10	16
2.4.4 RAID 50	17
3 Peer Storage Operations	19
3.1 Groups	19
3.2 Pools	19
3.3 Volumes	20
3.3.1 Volume Attributes	21
3.3.2 Volume Features	22
3.3.3 Thin Provisioning	22
3.3.4 Snapshots	23
3.3.5 Cloning	23
3.3.6 Replication	24
Example Replication Topologies	25
Sizing Replica Reserve and Delegated Space	28
3.3.7 Clustering	29
4 SAN Design	30
4.1 Implementation of Standards	30
iSNS Support	30
4.2 General Requirements and Recommendations	30
4.2.1 Quality of Service (QoS)	31
4.3 Ethernet Switches and Infrastructure	32
4.3.1 Connecting SAN Switches in a Layer 2 Network	33
Stacking Switches	33
Non-Stacking Switches	34
Using a LAG to Connect Stacked Switches	34
4.3.2 Sizing Inter-Switch Connections	35
4.3.3 Comparing Inter-Switch Connection Types	36
4.4 Host Configuration Guidelines	37
4.4.1 Recommendations for Host Connectivity in Redundant SANs	37
4.4.2 Multi-Path I/O	38
EqualLogic MPIO Requirements	39
EqualLogic MPIO General Recommendations	39
Configuring Microsoft Windows MPIO	39
Configuring VMware vSphere 4.1 Multipathing Extension Module (MEM)	39
4.5 EqualLogic iSCSI SAN Design	40
4.5.1 Redundant SAN Configuration	40
4.5.2 Partially Redundant SAN Configurations	41
Single Array Controller Configurations	41
Dual Array Controller Configurations	42
4.6 Integrating 1GbE and 10GbE SANs	43
5 M1000e Blade Chassis Integration	45
5.1 Guidelines for Stacking Switches in a Blade Chassis	45
5.2 Single M1000e Enclosure Integration	46
5.3 Multiple M1000e Enclosure Integration	46
Dual I/O Module Stacks	46
Single I/O Module Stack	47
5.4 M1000e Ethernet Pass-Through I/O Module	48
5.5 External Tier Stacking	48
5.6 Stack to Stack Interconnect	48
5.6.1 10GbE Uplink Recommendations	48
5.6.2 1GbE Uplink Recommendations	49
Appendix A Network Ports and Protocols	52
A.1 Required Ports and Protocols	52
A.2 Optional Ports and Protocols	52
Appendix B Recommended Switches	54
B.1 Recommended 1GbE Switches	54
B.2 Recommended 10GbE Switches	55
Appendix C Supported iSCSI Initiators	56
C.1 Hardware iSCSI Initiators (HBAs)	56
C.2 Software iSCSI Initiators	57
C.3 Network Interface Controllers	58
Appendix D PowerConnect 54xx Switch Configuration	59
D.1 Disabling iSCSI Optimization Setting	59
D.2 Enabling the PortFast Option to Configure STP Edge Ports	60
D.3 Configuring Flow Control	60
D.4 Disabling Unicast Storm Control	61
D.5 Configuring Jumbo Frames	62
Appendix E PowerConnect 62xx Switch Configuration	63
E.1 Interface Naming Convention	63
E.2 Enabling the PortFast Option to Configure STP Edge Ports	64
E.3 Configuring Flow Control	64
E.4 Disabling Unicast Storm Control	64
E.5 Configuring Jumbo Frames	65
Appendix F Cisco IOS based Switch Configuration	66
F.1 Enabling the PortFast Option to Configure STP Edge Ports	67
F.2 Configuring Flow Control	67
F.3 Disabling Unicast Storm Control	68
F.4 Configuring Jumbo Frames	68

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Dell EqualLogic Configuration Guide v11.3



Support for creating Link Aggregation Groups (LAG)

For non-stacking switches, the ability to bind multiple physical ports into a single logical link

for use as an inter-switch trunk (IST) is required. The switch should support designating one or

more ports for IST (via Link Aggregation Groups). The switch should support creation of LAGs

consisting of at least eight 1Gbps ports or at least two 10Gbps ports.

4.3.1

Connecting SAN Switches in a Layer 2 Network

When more than one SAN switch is required, each switch connected to the array group members will be

in the same subnet. These switches must be interconnected to provide a single switched Ethernet

fabric. Figure 9 shows the two common methods for interconnecting switches, using either stacking

switches or non-stacking switches.

Figure 9 Switch Interconnects

Stacking Switches

Stacking switches provide the preferred method for creating an inter-switch connection within a Layer

2 network infrastructure. Stacking is typically accomplished using a vendor proprietary, high-bandwidth,

low-latency interconnect that allows two or more switches to be connected in such a way that each

switch becomes part of a larger, virtual switch. A stackable switch will provide a set of dedicated

stacking ports. Installation of an optional stacking module may be required. Considerations for stacking

link bandwidth:

1Gb Switches

The stacking link bandwidth should be at least 10Gb/s in each direction on

each wire (full-duplex) to provide adequate throughput to support an

EqualLogic SAN consisting of 1Gb arrays.

10Gb Switches

he stacking link bandwidth should be at least 40Gb/s in each direction on

each wire (full-duplex) to provide adequate throughput to support an

EqualLogic SAN consisting of 10Gb arrays or a mix of 1Gb and 10Gb arrays.

Note:

For 1GbE SANs, using non-stacking switches to connect three or more EqualLogic

arrays into a single group may negatively impact SAN I/O throughput performance.