Chapter 3: Connecting Hosts
Connect Two Storage Systems to Replicate Volumes
QX and QXS Setup Guide
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For linear replication, use the verify remote-link command.
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For virtual replication, use the query peer-connection command.
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Allow two ports to perform replication. This permits the system to balance the load across those ports as
I/O demands rise and fall. On dual-controller RAID chassis, if some of the volumes replicated are owned
by controller A and others are owned by controller B, then allow at least one port for replication on each
controller module—and possibly more than one port per controller module—depending on replication
traffic load.
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For the sake of system security, do not unnecessarily expose the controller module network port to an
external network connection.
Conceptual cabling examples are provided addressing cabling on the same network and cabling relative to
physically-split networks. Both single and dual-controller CNC environments support replication. The
cabling examples provided apply to linear replication and virtual replication.
Note:
Controller module firmware must be compatible on all systems used for replication. For license
information, see the disk management utility.
Cabling for Replication
This section shows example replication configurations for CNC-based RAID chassis. The following
illustrations provide conceptual examples of cabling supporting linear replication and virtual replication. Blue
cables show I/O traffic and green cables show replication traffic.
Note:
Simplified versions of RAID chassis are used in cabling illustrations to show either FC or iSCSI
host interface protocol, given that only the external connectors used in the host interface ports differ.
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Cabling for replication diagrams pertain to linear replication and virtual replication.
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Linear replication supports FC and iSCSI host interface protocols.
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Virtual replication supports iSCSI host interface protocol.
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The 2U chassis rear panel view represents 24- and 48-drive models.
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The rear panel layouts for the two chassis are nearly identical.
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PSUs may or may not be equipped with a power switches.
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The 4U chassis rear panel view represents 56-drive models.
Once the CNC systems are physically cabled, see the V3 disk management utility or online help for
information about configuring, provisioning, and using the optional replication feature. Refer to the
replication feature topic pertaining to your environment (linear replication or virtual replication).
QXS-3 Series CNC Ports and Replication
CNC controller modules can use qualified SFP options of the same type, or they can use a combination of
qualified SFP options supporting different host interface protocols. If you use a combination of different
