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Fibre Channel Topologies
A storage area network (SAN) is typically defined as a network of
shared storage resources that can be allocated throughout a
heterogeneous environment. This chapter describes planning
considerations for incorporating McDATA switching products into
Fibre Channel SAN topologies. The chapter specifically describes:
•
Fibre Channel topologies (arbitrated loop and multiswitch fabric).
•
Characteristics of arbitrated loop operation.
•
Planning for private arbitrated loop connectivity.
•
Planning for fabric-attached arbitrated loop connectivity.
•
Fabric topologies (mesh, core-to-edge, and SAN islands).
•
Planning for multiswitch fabric support.
•
General fabric design considerations.
•
Large fabric design considerations.
•
Mixed fabric design considerations.
•
Fibre connection (FICON) cascading.
Intrepid-series directors and Sphereon-series fabric switches support
device connectivity through multiswitch fabric topologies. Sphereon
4300 and 4500 Fabric Switches also support connectivity through an
arbitrated loop topology. A combination of these topologies (hybrid
topology) is also supported. Topologies are described as follows:
Planning Considerations for Fibre Channel Topologies
Planning Considerations
for Fibre Channel
Topologies
3
3-1
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