Choosing The Switch Topology - Dell PowerVault NX3600 Deployment Manual

Choosing The Switch Topology

The PowerVault NX3600/NX3610 supports four switch topologies. The topologies are listed in the table with their benefits
and challenges. Choose the ideal topology for your environment and cable the solution accordingly.
Table 1. Switch Topologies for PowerVault NX3600/NX3610 in the Non-Redundant and High Availability Options
Topology
Dedicated SAN — High
Availability (HA)
Dedicated SAN — Non-
Redundant
All-in-one solution — HA
All-in-one solution — Non-
Redundant
Ensure the following settings are enabled in the SAN switch:
• Spanning Tree Portfast
• Flow control
• Jumbo frames (9000 MTU)
NOTE: Dell PowerConnect switches need to be configured to 9216 MTU or greater to accept frames of size 9000
MTU. Non-Dell switches may require a different MTU configuration for similar frame sizes. For more information on
MTU configuration for non-Dell switches, see the switch-specific manual.
NOTE: Jumbo frames and flow control settings are mandatory for all ports used only by PowerVault NX3600/
NX3610 and file access.
NOTE: For the best practice solution in the HA option, connect the PowerVault NX3600/3610 and MD ports to the
appropriate switch as shown in the following figure.
Description
This topology leverages the best
practices of the industry relating
to iSCSI and separates the SAN
and LAN/Client traffic. The client
cables are connected to a client
switch and the SAN cables are
connected to a SAN switch.
A basic topology where the SAN
and the client cables are
connected to the same switch.
High- Redundant
Availability
Yes Yes
No No
Yes Yes
No No
Number of
Switches
4
2
2
7