Introduction; Features - HPE 6Gb SAS BL User Manual

1 Introduction

The HPE 6Gb SAS BL Switch is a single-wide interconnect module for HPE BladeSystem c-Class
enclosures that enables a server blade with an HPE Smart Array 6Gb SAS Controller to
communicate with external SAS storage enclosures and tape devices. Its 6Gb SAS technology
delivers high performance, with high data bandwidth up to 600 MB/s per physical link, and is fully
compatible with 3G SAS, 3G SATA, and 1.5G SATA technology. Both dual-port SAS and
single-port SATA disk drive interconnections are supported, offering deployment flexibility.
The 6Gb SAS BL Switch is a key component in HPE External SAS Storage for BladeSystem
Solutions.
For information about devices included in the BladeSystem portfolio, including c-Class
enclosures, ProLiant server blades, Smart Array SAS controllers, and this 6Gb SAS BL
Switch, see the HPE BladeSystem website (http://www.hpe.com/info/bladesystem).
For information about BladeSystem solutions using this switch, see the HPE BladeSystem
Deployment Guide for Solutions with 6Gb SAS BL Switches and External SAS Storage
Enclosures, available on the Hewlett Packard Enterprise Support Center website
www.hpe.com/support/hpesc).

Features

Simplified management:
BladeSystem c-Class enclosures and their blade devices centralize control and reduce
storage management cost.
The HPE 6G Virtual SAS Manager application, used for zoning, is embedded in the switch
firmware.
Enterprise-class performance:
The 6Gb SAS BL Switch is fully supported in the BladeSystem c-Class enclosure infrastructure
and is compatible with any combination of BladeSystem c-Class server blades.
An existing switch can be installed or replaced without having to power down the BladeSystem
enclosure.
Configuration and management is performed through the embedded Virtual SAS Manager
(VSM) utility. The VSM is available in both a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and a Command
Line Interface (CLI).
High availability when using a pair of switches in the same interconnect row of the
BladeSystem c-Class enclosure:
The inclusion of a redundant SAS BL Switch and SAS Smart Array Controller, along with
dual I/O modules in the external storage enclosures and dual-ported disk drives, ensures
that the system can tolerate a component or path failure and maintain access to the storage.
Redundant power supplies and redundant cooling fans within the BladeSystem c-Class
enclosure provide protection against enclosure malfunction.
Redundant firmware images and configuration settings provide protection against switch or
port malfunctions.
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Features 5