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Chapter 2: Hardware installation
Fibre-host topologies
The fibre-host standard supports three topologies:
•
Point-to-point topology
A direct connection between two fibre-channel devices, the simplest among the three topologies.
•
FC-AL (Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop)
The fibre-channel devices are all connected to a loop. Each device is assigned to an AL_PA
(Arbitrated Loop Physical Address). FC-AL supports 124 devices in a single loop. This is the most
commonly-used topology among the three.
•
Fabric switch
This topology can support up to 224 fibre-channel devices and allows multiple devices to
communicate simultaneously. A fibre switch is required to implement this topology.
IMPORTANT!
If different servers need to access your logical drive, file locking, FC switch zoning, port
binding, and multipath access control configurations are necessary.
Fibre cabling
Before you set up your fibre cabling connection, you must:
a. Create a configuration plan. In addition to cabling topologies and the list of networking components,
you must also include the firmware and software maintenance details.
b. Confirm that your fibre-channel cable’s loop measures 6 inches or longer.
c. Ensure proper airflow and keep the cables away from ventilation outlets.
To connect devices using fibre cable:
1. Take out the SFP transceiver module from the static protective package.
2. Remove the dust plug from the transceiver module.
SPF transceiver module
Dust plug
SPF transceiver module
Dust plug
