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TM
PWR
ERR
Tier 1
Device
Core
Director
TM
PWR
ERR
Interswitch Link
Fabric Connection
Figure 3-10
2-by-14 Core-to-Edge Fabric
Each edge switch connects (through at least one ISL) to each core
switch but not to other edge switches. There are typically more device
connections to an edge switch than ISL connections; therefore edge
switches act as consolidation points for servers and storage devices.
The ratio of ISLs to device connections for each switch is a function of
device performance. For additional information, refer to
Oversubscription.
Fibre channel devices (servers and storage devices) connect to core or
edge fabric elements in tiers. These tiers are defined as follows:
•
Tier 1 - A Tier 1 device connects directly to a core director or
switch. Tier 1 devices are typically high-use or high-I/O devices
that consume substantial bandwidth and should not be connected
through an ISL. In addition, fibre connection (FICON) devices
cannot communicate through E_Ports (ISLs) and must use Tier 1
connectivity. For additional information, refer to
in a Single
Planning Considerations for Fibre Channel Topologies
Tier 2 Devices
31
29
27
25
23
21
19
TM
30
17
15
13
TM
28
26
24
11
9
7
22
20
18
5
3
1
16
14
12
PWR
10
8
6
ERR
4
2
0
31
29
27
25
23
21
TM
19
17
15
30
28
26
13
11
9
24
22
20
7
5
3
18
16
14
1
12
10
8
PWR
ERR
6
4
2
0
Tier 2 Devices
Fabric.
Planning Considerations for Fibre Channel Topologies
31
29
27
25
23
21
TM
19
17
15
30
28
26
13
11
9
24
22
20
7
5
3
18
16
14
1
12
10
8
ERR
PWR
6
4
2
PWR
0
ERR
Switches
Tier 1
Core
Device
Director
31
29
27
25
23
21
TM
19
17
15
TM
30
28
26
13
11
9
24
22
20
7
5
3
18
16
14
1
12
10
8
PWR
ERR
PWR
6
4
2
ERR
0
ISL
FCP and FICON
3
Edge
Edge
Switches
3-17
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