Installation Requirements; Configuration Requirements - HP StorageWorks 2/32 - SAN Switch Release Note

The ISL Trunking feature connects up to four ISLs, between two switches through an
Expansion Port (E_Port), to merge logically into one link. With ISL Trunking, high speed
links ensure that server-to-storage performance is efficient and shared under heavy network
loads. When using ISL Trunking to aggregate bandwidth of up to four ports, the speed of the
ISLs between switches in a fabric is quadrupled. For example, at 2 Gbps speeds, ISL Trunking
delivers ISL throughput of up to 8 Gbps.
ISL Trunking is documented in the HP StorageWorks ISL Trunking Version 3.0.x/4.0.x User
Guide.
Trunking Requirements
The following sections describe Trunking requirements.

Installation Requirements

There are no installation requirements as ISL Trunking is a built-in component of Fabric OS
v3.0, Fabric OS v4.0, and later releases on all StorageWorks 2 Gbit/sec switches based on third
generation HP ASIC technology. This includes:
• StorageWorks 2 Gb SAN switches
• StorageWorks Core switch

Configuration Requirements

No software configuration is required to invoke ISL Trunking since it is enabled on any E_Port
for which it is supported. To invoke Trunking, plug in ISLs and follow the following
configuration guidelines:
• An ISL trunking license is required for each switch that participates in a trunked
connection.
• ISL trunks must be established in port groups driven by a common ISL Trunking hardware
driver. Trunking hardware drivers are connected to contiguous 4-port groups such as 0-3,
4-7, 8-11, and 12-15.
• ISL trunk groups can be established by using two, three, or four ISLs between
switches--which enables ISLs capable of 4, 6, or 8 Gbit/sec of total throughput.
• Ports must be set to 2 Gbit/sec or auto-negotiate (AN).
You can easily build meshed switch fabrics by connecting trunk groups to any number of
adjacent switches.
Common Software and Switch Options Version 3.0.x/4.0.x Release Notes
Switch Options Descriptions and Requirements
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