March 2013
Dell EqualLogic Configuration Guide v14.1
9-99
Table 41
4-Way Stack
Connecting M1000e to Non-Stacked external switch infrastructure
Advantages
Concerns
•
SAN Array-to-array traffic is isolated outside
of the M1000e enclosures
•
Fixed hops between hosts and array volumes
regardless of number of M1000e enclosures
•
Supports ability to scale arrays
•
Supports ability to scale host.
•
Supports sharing SAN with non-M1000e
servers.
•
Ease of Administration
•
Must bring external switch stack down to
apply switch firmware updates.
•
Must bring internal switch stack down to
apply switch firmware updates.
•
Switches must be stack compatible
Other Notes
•
Recommend using 10GbE or larger links within inter-switch LAGs to provide better bandwidth
scalability.
•
Additional M1000e enclosures are added in similar fashion to diagram above.