IBM System Networking SAN24B-5 Switch
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Inter-Switch Link (ISL) Trunking enables efficient Fibre Channel packet distribution across multiple
ISLs between two IBM b-type SAN fabric switches and directors while preserving in-order delivery.
Both b-type SAN devices must have trunking activated. The SAN24B-5 adds enhanced ISL trunking
support, uses 16 Gbps ports, and enables Fibre Channel packets to be distributed across up to eight
ISLs capable of 16 Gbps for a combined bandwidth of up to 128 Gbps.
Extended Fabrics extend SAN fabrics beyond the Fibre Channel standard of 10 km by optimizing
internal switch buffers to maintain performance on ISLs connected at extended distances.
Server Application Optimization optimizes overall application performance for physical servers and
virtual machines by extending virtual channels to the server infrastructure. Application-specific traffic
flows can be configured, prioritized and optimized throughout the entire data center infrastructure.
12-port Activation enables the SAN24B-5 switch with one additional increment of 12 ports that can be
enabled on demand. The SAN24B-5 switch ships with the first 12 ports activated in the base product.
Enterprise Bundle offers a convenient method for ordering a set of optional features bundled into one
feature number. It includes one license for each of the following items: Trunking Activation, Fabric
Watch, Advanced Performance Monitor, Adaptive Networking, Server Application Optimization, and
Fabric Vision. Requires FOS 7.2 or later to activate all Fabric Vision license features.
Fabric Vision license offers a collection of breakthrough features and tools bundled into an optional
licensed feature. It includes Flow Vision and Monitoring and Alerting Policy Suite (MAPS) advanced
technologies and capabilities. Requires FOS 7.2 or later.
Note: Some features do not apply or are unavailable when using the switch in Access Gateway mode.
IBM Network Advisor software supports SAN24B-5 Gen 5 Fibre Channel technology by providing
end-to-end management of data center fabrics from storage ports on networked storage systems to host
bus adapters attached to physical or virtualized servers. IBM Network Advisor v12.0 or later is necessary
for supporting transitions to cloud environments. IBM Network Advisor v12.1 or later is required to support
Fabric Vision license capabilities.
Fabric vision technology
Fabric Vision technology, an extension of Gen 5 Fibre Channel, introduces a breakthrough hardware and
software solution that maximizes uptime, simplifies SAN management, and provides increased visibility
and insight across the storage network. Offering innovative diagnostic, monitoring, and management
capabilities, SAN24B-5 with Fabric Vision technology helps administrators avoid problems, maximizes
application performance, and reduces operational costs.
Fabric Vision technology includes the following items:
Flow Vision enables administrators to identify, monitor, and analyze specific application and data
flows to maximize performance, avoid congestion, and optimize resources. Flow Vision includes
these items:
Flow Monitor to provide comprehensive visibility into flows in the fabric, including the ability to
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automatically learn (discover) flows and nondisruptively monitor flow performance. Organizations
can monitor all flows from a specific host to multiple targets/LUNs, from multiple hosts to a
specific target/LUN, or across a specific ISL. They also can perform LUN-level monitoring of
specific frame types to identify resource contention or congestion that is impacting application
performance.
Flow Mirror to provide the ability to nondisruptively create copies of specific application and data
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flows or frame types that can be captured for deeper analysis.
Flow Generator to provide a built-in test traffic generator for pretesting and validating the SAN
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infrastructure—including verification of routes and integrity of optics, cables, ports, and ISLs—for
robustness before deploying applications.