Fibre Channel Cables - IBM System Storage DS3500 Introduction And Implementation Manual

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Figure 4-14 Unlocking the SFP module latch - wire variety
3. With the SFP module latch in the unlocked position, remove the SFP module.
– For SFP modules that contain plastic tabs, slide the SFP module out of the port.
– For SFP modules that contain wire tabs, grasp the wire latch and pull the SFP module
out of the port.
4. Replace the protective cap on the SFP module.
5. Place the SFP module into a static-protective package.
6. Replace the protective cap on the host port.

4.4.2 Fibre Channel cables

In this section we describe the fibre optical cables that you can use for connecting to the small
form-factor pluggable (SFP) modules in the DS3500 storage subsystem. We also describe
best practises for cable management of fibre optical cables.
Because the DS3500 only supports SFP modules, Fibre Channel cables with LC connectors
are required. Connectors that plug into SFF or SFP devices are called LC connectors. The
two fibres in the cable (transmit and receive) each have their own part of the connector. The
connector is keyed to ensure correct polarization when connected, that is, transmit to receive
and vice-versa. Figure 4-15 below shows an LC connector at one end of a fibre channel
cable.
Figure 4-15 An LC connector
Most Fibre Channel cables have an LC connector at both ends, and we call these LC-LC
cables. You will use LC-LC cables when you are connecting the DS3500 host ports to a port
on a SAN switch or a Host Bus Adapter that supports SFP modules.
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IBM System Storage DS3500: Introduction and Implementation Guide
Draft Document for Review March 28, 2011 12:24 pm