HP D2D D2D Best Practices for VTL, NAS and Replication implementations (EH985- - Page 19

Fibre Channel configuration Fibre Channel topologies The D2D appliances support both switched fabric and direct attach (private loop) topologies. Direct Attach (point to point) topology is not supported. Switched fabric using NPIV (N Port ID Virtualisation) offers a number of advantages and is the preferred topology for D2D appliances. Switched fabric A switched fabric topology utilizes one or more fabric switches to provide a flexible configuration between several Fibre Channel hosts and Fibre Channel targets such as the D2D appliance virtual libraries. Switches may be cascaded of meshed together to form large fabrics. Fibre Channel, switched fabric topology HP StorageWorks D2D Backup System Virtual Library 1 (e.g. D2D Generic) Medium Changer Tape Tape Drive 1 Drive 2 Medium Changer Virtual Library 2 (e.g. MSL 4048) Tape Tape Tape Tape Drive 1 Drive 2 Drive 3 Drive 4 Virtual Library n (e.g. MSL 2024) Medium Changer Tape Tape Drive 1 Drive 2 FC Port 1 FC Port 2 Fibre Channel Fabric FC HBA Host 1 FC HBA Host 2 FC HBA Host n The D2D Backup Appliances with a Fibre Channel interface have two FC ports. Either or both of the FC ports may be connected to a FC fabric, but each virtual library may only be associated with one of these FC ports. By default, each virtual library will be visible to all hosts connected to the same fabric. It is recommended that each virtual library is zoned to be visible to only the hosts that require access. Unlike the iSCSI virtual libraries, FC virtual libraries can be configured to be used by multiple hosts if required. 19