Array Connection Configurations; Fibre Channel Connections - NEC D3 Quick Start Manual

Disk Enclosure
Disk Enclosure
Base Unit
The D3/D4 can support up to 11 additional disk enclosures. For more information on connecting multiple disk
enclosures to an array, Disk Enclosure (DE) and Physical Disk (PD) numbering recommendations, and other
considerations, please refer to the documentation contained in the CD shipped with your base unit.

Array Connection Configurations

The D3/D4 SAN Storage array can be used in a number of configurations ranging from a Direct Attached
Storage (DAS) configuration to being part of a SAN configuration with the array attached to a Fibre Channel
(FC) switch fabric.
•
A server can be connected to the array directly via FC Point-to-Point (FC-P2P) or FC Arbitrated Loop
(FC-AL).
•
Servers can be connected to the array through a switch in an FC switched fabric (FC-SW)
configuration.
•
Either 1 or 2 ports per controller can be connected to hosts. With D3 and HPE option, from 4 to 6 ports
can be attached to hosts per controller.
Additionally, the array can be used in a LUN masking, multipathing, or zoning switch fabric configuration. While
zoning is configured on an FC switch and not covered here*, LUN masking and multipathing are dependent on
software installed in the array and application server.
•
LUN Masking – This is the simplest method for configuring an array to connect with multiple
application servers through a switch fabric and is managed on the array through the use of Access
Control in the Storage Manager software on the management server. While it allows multiple
application servers to access array resources, it does not offer any fault tolerance unless used with
multipathing.
•
Multipathing – This configuration requires use of PathManager software and some additional
configuration, but offers redundant connection paths, support for clustered servers, and other traffic
management features that aren't available when using the array in a LUN Masking configuration by
itself. The installation and configuration of PathManager is covered in the Appendix of this guide.
*Note: For more information on zoning configurations, please refer to the manufacturer's documentation for
your specific model FC switch.

Fibre Channel Connections

As described in the previous section, there are a number of ways in which you can connect the array to an
application server or multiple application servers. Generally, though, there are some common basic guidelines
and suggestions that should be followed when connecting the array to a server, FC hub, or FC switch.
•
The array uses LC-LC-type FC cables that must be purchased separately.
NEC D3/D4 Quick Start Guide
DP-OUT
DP1
Figure 7. SAS Cable Connections
DP-OUT
DP-IN
DP0
DP-IN
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