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Multiple clusters in a switched fabric environment
IBM SAN Fibre Channel switches enable high-performance, highly scalable SAN
with multiple clusters to be created. The following illustration shows a SAN with
four-port grouping (for redundancy) supporting a two-node cluster that enables the
configuration to accommodate multiple clusters. This type of configuration helps
reduce downtime and enables unencumbered access to storage through
partitioning. Use of 16-port switches (versus the 8-port displayed in the figure) can
increase port count and the number of servers or FAStT500 RAID storage.
FC host adapter
FC host adapter
FC host adapter
FC host adapter
Figure 5. Multiple clusters in a switched fabric environment
Note: Each group of four ports on the switches (gray dash box) can support one
6
IBM Fibre Channel: Basic SAN Configuration Setup Guide
FAStT500 RAID controller unit
FC switches
Host side
Mini-hub
Mini-hub
Mini-hub
Mini-hub
cluster element (black dash box). Storage partitioning is used to separate
clusters. Sixteen port switches enable more clusters, provided this fits within
performance needs and available partitions.
Drive side
Ctrl
Mini-hub
A
Loop1
Mini-hub
Mini-hub
IN
Mini-hub
Ctrl
B
IN
OUT
Loop1
EXP500
Loop2
OUT
IN
OUT
IN
OUT
Loop2
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