Specifications

Escala Tower PL & S, E, T System Hardware
Chapter 3: External Storage and SAN Subsystems 108/116
9es3s1c3.doc
Rev 5.9
02/12/2003
The Vixel 1000 is a plug-and-play device that does not require any configuration nor management
operations. It is ideally suited for the deployment of entry SAN configurations, using the same star
topology as well established Local Area Networks. The "hot plug" capability of ports allows for online
changes (adding devices, removing devices, changing port type, …) without taking off-line the hubs,
and with minimal impact on the other devices connected to the loop. The Vixel 1000 is designed for
flexible mix-and-match configuration of fiber optic (short wave and long wave) and copper media.
The Vixel 1000 Hub is optimized for small Escala clusters and Escala server farms. It provides also a
cost effective solution for AIX/NT storage consolidation and LANfree backup applications.
Features
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7 FC-AL ports
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1 FC-AL loop, 100 MB/s
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Hot Plug GBICs based ports (SC/SWL, SC/LWL, active copper DB9)
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Cascading support
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Automatic Bypass of unused ports
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Clock and data recovery on each port
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Fully ANSI X3T11 FC-AL standards compliant
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Rack packaging (2 hubs per 1 U space), or tabletop unit
7.8.2. SAN Topologies & Interoperability
The Vixel 1000 hub enables to implement private fibre channel loops, using a star cabling (direct
connection of servers and storage devices to the hub). It supports cascading with other hubs.
The hub has been qualified for the point-to-point connection of
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Escala servers
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DAS, DAE and Symmetrix disk subsystems
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Crossroads FC/SCSI bridges (models 4100 and 4200)
The preferred interface is the SWL/SC GBIC (for multimode optical fibers).
The SWL GBIC supports 500 m cables with 50 µm multi-mode optical fibers.
The LWL GBIC supports 10 km cables with 9 µm single mode optical fibers.
The copper GBIC is an active port with DB9 connectors, and supports 30m cables.