Planning For Fabric-Attached Loop Connectivity; Connecting A San To A Switched Fabric - HP StorageWorks 64 - SAN Director Switch Planning Manual

Planning for Fabric-Attached Loop Connectivity

Public arbitrated loop topology supports the connection of workgroup or
departmental FC-AL devices to a switched fabric through a loop switch B_Port.
This topology is well suited for:
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Connecting a SAN to a Switched Fabric

Arbitrated loop switches provide a B_Port that dynamically connects FC-AL
devices to directors or edge switches participating in a Fibre Channel fabric. This
function allows multiple low-cost or low-bandwidth departmental or workgroup
devices to communicate with fabric-attached devices through a high-bandwidth
link, and provides connectivity as required to an enterprise SAN environment.
This approach provides:
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SAN High Availability Planning Guide
Providing connectivity between a workgroup or departmental SAN and a
switched fabric, thus implementing connectivity of FC-AL devices to fabric
devices at the core of the enterprise.
Consolidating low-cost Windows NT or UNIX server connections and
providing access to fabric-attached storage devices.
Consolidating FC-AL tape device connections and providing access to
fabric-attached servers.
Cost-effective FC-AL device connectivity to a switched fabric. The B_Port
provides fabric connectivity without incurring true switched fabric costs.
However, the switch does not provide the same simultaneous connection and
bandwidth capabilities provided by a Fibre Channel director or switch.
Improved access and sharing of data and computing resources throughout an
organization by connecting isolated departmental or workgroup devices to the
core data center. Fabric-to-loop connectivity ensures that edge servers have
access to enterprise storage, and edge peripherals have access to enterprise
computing resources.
Improved resource manageability. Distributed resources are consolidated and
managed through Fibre Channel connectivity instead of physical relocation.
One High Availability Fabric Manager (HAFM) server manages the operation
and connectivity of multiple directors, edge switches, fabric-attached devices,
arbitrated loop switches, and FC-AL devices.
Improved security of business applications and data. Directors, edge switches,
and loop switches allow fabric-attached and FC-AL devices to be partitioned
into restricted-access zones to limit unauthorized access. Refer to
Server Zoning" on page 132 for information.
Planning Considerations for Fibre Channel Topologies
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