Planning For Spare Ports; Using Multiple Switches - EMC Connectrix EC-1200 Planning Manual

Planning for Spare
Ports
!
Using Multiple
Switches
If an individual port fails, new connections can be identified for
unused ports through Connectrix Manager's Product Manager
application, and cables can be reconnected, all while the switch
remains operational. Likewise, if an entire port card fails, it can be
replaced while the switch remains operational.
Although there is no requirement to identify spare ports (or install
spare port cards), EMC strongly recommends allowing some spare
ports to expedite connection transfers if necessary. You should allow
at least one spare port card per switch.
Connectrix switches allow the replacement of individual SFP optic
modules. If an optic module fails, EMC service personnel can replace
it. Allocating spare ports ahead of time allows the user to move any
connections from a failed optic module to an open port, until the
failed optic module is replaced.
Unused ports on any port card can also be used as spare ports.
CAUTION
The capability to move cables between ports depends on specific
support in the operating system's device driver. EMC-approved
device drivers for Solaris, Windows NT, and AIX currently support
this capability; however, not all future drivers may be capable of
moving links from one port to another. Be sure to check the driver
documentation.
Each Connectrix switch supports 16 to 140 Fibre Channel ports,
which obviously is a factor in planning the required number of
switches. However, multiple switches in the enterprise also ensure
end-device availability through redundant connections.
Planning Considerations
Planning Switch Ports
5
5-7