SAN Configurations for RA8000/ESA12000 on Windows NT - Intel
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SAN Fabric Configuration 5 – Three FC Switches, Cascaded Meshed Fabric,
Controller Transparent Failover
Mode
SAN Fabric configuration 5 (Figure 6) is a meshed Fabric cascaded switch configuration that
provides increased server, disk, and tape storage connectivity capabilities in addition to Fabric
resiliency. All of the switches in the Fabric are interconnected providing alternate paths within the
Fabric. This Fabric feature automatically reconfigures a route to a good path should a component in a
Fabric path fail. Up to 30 separate (non-cooperating) servers or up to 15 pairs of clustered
(cooperating) servers can be connected through 3 16-port FC switches to 3 storage systems. With 8-
port FC switches up to 14 servers can be connected to 1 storage system. With either switch type the
number of storage systems can be increased if the number of servers is reduced to provide switch
ports for storage. A minimum of 1 ISL is required between each of the 3 switches, more may be
required based on the specific server and storage configuration and count, and the applications
utilized. The ISL(s) can be up to 10 km allowing connectivity between three remote sites. The HSG80
array controllers within the RA8000 or ESA12000 storage enclosure are configured in Transparent
failover mode providing full controller redundancy in the unlikely event of either controller failing.
Figure 6 Three Switches, Cascaded Meshed Fabric Configuration Example
SAN Configuration 5 Server/Storage Connectivity Rules
•
Any mix of Windows NT Intel Servers - standalone or clustered, and storage systems using these
maximums. Assumes 1 FC HBA per server, an even storage port count, and no EBS ports.
Active
Active
Standby
Standby
Port 1 A Port 2
Port 1 B Port 2
24 Disks
24 Disks
RA8000 or
ESA 12000 FC
Dual Controller
24 Disks
FC Switch #3
FC Switch #1
FC Switch #2
Windows NT
Intel
Server
FC HBA
Windows NT
Intel
Server
FC HBA
Windows NT
Intel
Server
FC HBA
NT Cluster
Active
Active
Standby
Standby
Port 1 A Port 2
Port 1 B Port 2
24 Disks
24 Disks
RA8000 or
ESA 12000 FC
Dual Controller
24 Disks
Active
Active
Standby
Standby
Port 1 A Port 2
Port 1 B Port 2
24 Disks
24 Disks
RA8000 or
ESA 12000 FC
Dual Controller
24 Disks
Windows NT
Intel
Server
FC HBA
Windows NT
Intel
Server
FC HBA
SHR-1578
