HP StorageWorks 64 FW 07.00.00/HAFM SW 08.06.00 McDATA Products in a SAN Envir - Page 34

Intrepid 6064 Director, Multiple service class support

Page 34 highlights

Introduction to McDATA Multi-Protocol Products 1 - A multiswitch fabric topology provides the ability to connect directors (and other McDATA switch elements) through expansion ports (E_Ports) and interswitch links (ISLs) to form a Fibre Channel fabric. Director elements receive data from a device and, based on the destination N_Port address, route the data through the fabric (and possibly through multiple switch elements) to the destination device. - An arbitrated loop topology connects multiple device node loop (NL_Ports) in a loop (or hub) configuration without benefit of a multiswitch fabric. Although directors do not support direct connection of arbitrated loop devices, such devices can communicate with directors through the McDATA Sphereon 4300 and Sphereon 4500 Switches. • Multiple service class support - The Fibre Channel signaling protocol provides several classes of transmission service that support framing protocol and flow control between ports. Directors support: - Class 2 transmission service that provides connectionless multiplexed frame delivery service with acknowledgment. Class 2 service is best suited for mainstream computing applications. - Class 3 transmission service that provides connectionless, best-effort multiplexed datagram frame delivery with no acknowledgment. Class 3 service is best suited for mass storage or video applications. - Class F transmission service that is used by multiple directors (or fabric elements) to communicate across ISLs to configure, control, and coordinate the behavior of a multiswitch fabric. Intrepid 6064 Director The Intrepid 6064 Director is a second-generation, enterprise-class product that provides switched fabric connectivity for up to 64 Fibre Channel devices. The product provides high-performance scalable bandwidth, highly-available operation, redundant switched data paths, long transmission distances (up to 20 km), and high device population. Figure 1-2 illustrates the director. 1-8 McDATA Products in a SAN Environment - Planning Manual

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1
1-8
McDATA Products in a SAN Environment - Planning Manual
Introduction to McDATA Multi-Protocol Products
A multiswitch fabric topology provides the ability to connect
directors (and other McDATA switch elements) through
expansion ports (E_Ports) and interswitch links (ISLs) to form
a Fibre Channel fabric. Director elements receive data from a
device and, based on the destination N_Port address, route
the data through the fabric (and possibly through multiple
switch elements) to the destination device.
An arbitrated loop topology connects multiple device node
loop (NL_Ports) in a loop (or hub) configuration without
benefit of a multiswitch fabric. Although directors do not
support direct connection of arbitrated loop devices, such
devices can communicate with directors through the
McDATA Sphereon 4300 and Sphereon 4500 Switches.
Multiple service class support -
The Fibre Channel signaling
protocol provides several classes of transmission service that
support framing protocol and flow control between ports.
Directors support:
Class 2 transmission service that provides connectionless
multiplexed frame delivery service with acknowledgment.
Class 2 service is best suited for mainstream computing
applications.
Class 3 transmission service that provides connectionless,
best-effort multiplexed datagram frame delivery with no
acknowledgment. Class 3 service is best suited for mass
storage or video applications.
Class F transmission service that is used by multiple directors
(or fabric elements) to communicate across ISLs to configure,
control, and coordinate the behavior of a multiswitch fabric.
Intrepid 6064
Director
The Intrepid 6064 Director is a second-generation, enterprise-class
product that provides switched fabric connectivity for up to 64 Fibre
Channel devices. The product provides high-performance scalable
bandwidth, highly-available operation, redundant switched data
paths, long transmission distances (up to 20 km), and high device
population.
Figure 1-2
illustrates the director.