HP StorageWorks 2/140 FW 08.01.00 McDATA Products in a SAN Environment Plannin - Page 85
Planning Considerations for Fibre Channel Topologies, Fibre Channel Topologies
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3 Planning Considerations for Fibre Channel Topologies A storage area network (SAN) is typically defined as a network of shared storage resources that can be allocated throughout a heterogeneous environment. This chapter describes planning considerations for incorporating McDATA products into Fibre Channel SAN topologies. The chapter specifically describes: • Fibre Channel topologies (arbitrated loop and multiswitch fabric). • Characteristics of arbitrated loop operation. • Planning for private arbitrated loop connectivity. • Planning for fabric-attached arbitrated loop connectivity. • Fabric topologies (mesh, core-to-edge, and SAN islands). • Planning for multiswitch fabric support. • General fabric design considerations. • Large fabric design considerations. • Mixed fabric design considerations. • Fibre connection (FICON) cascading. Fibre Channel Topologies Intrepid-series directors and Sphereon-series fabric switches support device connectivity through multiswitch fabric topologies. Sphereon 4000-series fabric switches also support connectivity through an arbitrated loop topology. A combination of these topologies (hybrid topology) is also supported. Topologies are described as follows: Planning Considerations for Fibre Channel Topologies 3-1
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