Planning Considerations For Fibre Channel Topologies; Fibre Channel Topologies - McDATA StorageWorks 2/140 - Director Switch Planning Manual

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 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
4000-series 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