HP StorageWorks 4000/6000/8000 - Enterprise Virtual Arrays, Reference Manual

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For example, a 4 x 24 core-edge fabric indicates 4 core switches and 24 edge switches, for a total
of 28 switches.
Figure 9 shows a 4 x 12 core-edge fabric with 4 core switches and 12 edge switches, each connected
to the core with 4 ISLs.
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25097a
Figure 9 Core-edge fabric (4 x 12)
.
Switch models
All HP Fibre Channel switches are supported for use in a core-edge fabric topology. Core-edge
topologies typically use the SN6000 Fibre Channel Switch; the 8/20q Fibre Channel Switch (or the
HP Simple SAN Connectivity Kit); SAN, Fabric, or Edge switches on the edge; and Core and Director
switches in the core. H-series core-edge topologies use the SN6000 Fibre Channel Switches as edge
and core switches (particularly if using the stacking capability) and 8/20q Fibre Channel Switches
as edge and core switches. When using switches with different Fibre Channel maximum speed
capabilities (such as 1 Gb/s, 2 Gb/s, 4 Gb/s, or 8 Gb/s), HP recommends using the higher-speed
switches in the core.
Benefits
The benefits of a core-edge fabric include:
• Typically, a maximum of two hops between switches
• Equal, centralized access to devices in the core
• Increased fabric and switch redundancy with two or more switches in the core
• Full many-to-many connectivity with evenly distributed bandwidth
• Support for centralized and distributed data access needs
• Ability to designate an optimally located core switch as the primary management switch, with
direct connections to all switches
SAN Design Reference Guide 45