Fibre Channel Cabling; Sfp Transceiver Modules - IBM System Storage DS3500 Introduction And Implementation Manual

Draft Document for Review March 28, 2011 12:24 pm

4.4 Fibre Channel cabling

In this section we describe the features of Fibre Channel cabling that you use to connect the
DS3500 controllers to hosts with Fibre-Channel host adapters and/or to Fibre-Channel SAN
switches. We also describe best practise guidelines for cable management of the fibre optical
cables.
The DS3500 supports the use of Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) transceiver modules and
Fibre Channel cables with LC connectors at speeds of 2 Gbps, 4 Gbps and 8 Gbps.
Figure 4-10 shows a Fibre Channel cable with LC connector attached to an SFP module.
Figure 4-10 Small Form Pluggable (SFP) module with LC connector fiber cable

4.4.1 SFP transceiver modules

Each DS3500 controller can be installed with a optional Fibre-Channel host adapter, and can
support up four fibre channel connections and shown in Figure 4-3 on page 91. You must
install a Small- Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) module into each fibre-channel port that you
want to use for host connections. The SFP module is a laser product and its function is to
convert electrical signals to and from optical signals for transmission to and from the
controllers. You then connect the fibre optic cable to the SFP module.
SFP modules are available in both long-wave and short-wave types but only short-wave SFP
modules are supported in the DS3500 storage subsystem. You can use the DS Storage
Manager Client to view the Storage Subsystem Profile to confirm that only short-wave SFP
modules are installed in the DS3500 storage subsystem. SFP modules are also available in
2-Gbps, 4-Gbps and 8-Gbps models. We recommend that you only use 8-Gbps SFP modules
for optimum performance.
Attention: You must not use long-wave SFP modules or Gigabit Interface Converters
(GBICs) in any of the Fibre Channel ports in the DS3500 storage subsystem controllers.
Long-wave SFP modules and GBICs are not supported for use in the DS3500 storage
subsystem.
General guidelines for using SFP modules
You should follow these general guidelines when working with SFP modules:
The SFP module housing has an integral guide key that is designed to prevent you from
inserting the SFP module incorrectly.
Use minimal pressure when inserting an SFP module into a Fibre Channel port. Forcing
the SFP module into a port could cause damage to the SFP module or to the port.
Chapter 4. IBM System Storage DS3500 and EXP3500 Cabling
7914Cabling2-1908.fm
95