Fibre Channel SAN Overview
An Overview of SAN and Fibre Channel Concepts
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Objectives
After completing this discussion you will be able to:
Define a SAN. Describe the role of various hardware components of a SAN. Describe the differences between the FC Host Bus Adapters in a Dell | EMC SAN. Describe the three FC topologies. Explain the benefit of path redundancy in a SAN.
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Introduction
What is a SAN? Why use a SAN?
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SAN Components
Overview Hardware Components Software Components
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Overview
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Transceivers
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Gigabit Interface Converters (GBICs)
Used in 1 Gb applications. Fiber Optic and Copper DB-9 High Speed Serial Data Connector (HSSDC) Subscriber Connector (SC)
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Small Form-Factor Pluggables (SFPs)
Used in 2 Gb applications. Fiber Optic and Copper High Speed Serial Data Connector-2 (HSSDC-2)
Lucent Connector (LC)
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Transceiver/Cable Matrix
Cable Connector GBIC SFP Cable
HSSDC
Copper
DB-9 HSSDC-2 SC
Optical LC
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HBAs
Supported HBAs:
Host System Dell Operating System Windows NT Windows 2000 Linux Netware IBM Sun HP AIX Solaris HP-UX HBA Manufacturer Emulex Qlogic Qlogic Emulex Emulex Agilent Host Bus PCI/PCI Express* PCI/PCI Express* PCI/PCI Express* PCI PCI PCI
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Enclosures
Disk Processor Enclosure - DPE
Has a RAID controller. Can have enclosures cascaded from it. Has battery backup to protect data during power failures.
Disk Array Enclosure - DAE
Does not have a RAID controller. Can have enclosures cascaded from it. Can be cascaded from another enclosure
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Switches
Switch features:
Connects multiple FC devices. Provides dedicated throughput between all ports.
Standard Switch services:
Name Server Zone Server
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Name Server
Name Server stores 64-bit WWNs of attached hosts and targets
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Zone Server
Allows grouping of FC hosts and targets. Zoning conditions:
Only devices in the same zone can communicate with each other. Devices not included in a zone cannot communicate with any other device. A device can be in multiple zones but it will not act as a bridge between zones.
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Zoning Example
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Bridges and Routers
An FC bridge translates between Fibre Channel and another bus structure (usually SCSI). Generally bridges connect the SAN to one other device. An FC router is similar to an FC bridge except, that it can interpret the protocols and thus route communication between multiple devices and the SAN.
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Cables
Copper cable
Optical cables
10 m maximum cable length
Multi mode 500 m maximum cable length Single mode 10 km maximum cable length
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Software
HBA Driver. Path Failover Software. Path Management Software. LUN Masking Software. Enclosure Management Software.
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Topologies
There are 3 FC topologies:
Point-to-Point. Arbitrated Loop (FC_AL). Switched Fabric (FC_SW).
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Nodes & Ports
End point devices (HBAs or Enclosures) are called Nodes. Nodes connect through ports. Each port type has a name depending in method of connection and the device connecting through the port.
N = Node F = Fabric L = Loop
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Point-to-Point
Direct connection between 1 host and 1 target. Generally not considered a SAN. Special case of a loop topology. Uses NL Ports.
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Arbitrated Loop
Similar to a token ring. One virtual circuit at a time. Uses NL.
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Switched Fabric
Similar to arbitrated loop but can support multiple concurrent virtual circuits. Requires a switch. Uses F and/or FL ports.
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Redundant Paths Direct Attached
Redundant Paths Both Paths Good
Redundant Paths One Path Broken
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Redundant Paths Fabric Attached
Redundant Paths Both Paths Good
Redundant Paths One Path Broken
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FC SAN: What is a Fabric?
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What Does a SAN Do?
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Legacy Storage Connectivity: DAS
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Motivations for Networked Storage
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Basic Structure of a SAN
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SAN versus DAS
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Clarion Foundations
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CLARIION RANGE AND COMPONENTS
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Flexible, High Availability Design
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CLARiiON CX Series
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Modular Building Blocks
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CLARiiON ATA
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CLARiiON Architecture Introduction
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CLARiiON CX500 / CX500i
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EMC UltraPoint Technology
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THEORY OF OPERATION
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Storage Processor Introduction
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Cache Memory
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Mirrored Write Caching
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Managing Write Cache
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Write Cache Protected by Vault
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Persistent Storage Manager (PSM)
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Data Units on a Disk
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Element Tips
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CLARiiON RAID Options
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Storage Configuration and Provisioning
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Creating RAID Groups
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Binding a LUN
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Bind Operation - Setting Parameters
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Storage Groups
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Designing Storage Groups
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metaLUNs
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Advanced Availability: LUN Ownership Model
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Host Connectivity Redundancy PowerPath Failover Software
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SOFTWARE AND MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENT
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FLARE Operating Environment
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CLARiiON Management Options
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EMC Navisphere Management Software
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