Specifications

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Cisco SN 5428-2 Storage Router Software Configuration Guide
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Chapter 1 Before Configuring SN 5428-2 Storage Router Software
FCIP Overview
Available Instances of Transparent SCSI Routing
When an SN 5428-2 Storage Router is deployed for transparent SCSI routing, it is automatically
configured for one instance of transparent SCSI routing service; only that one instance can exist in that
SN 5428-2.
While the instance of transparent SCSI routing needs to be configured with a Gigabit Ethernet IP
address, mapping between iSCSI target names and physical storage addresses is automatic and cannot
be configured.
When an SN 5428-2 is deployed for transparent SCSI routing, it cannot participate in a storage router
cluster. However, multiple SN 5428-2s can be connected to an intelligent storage array, where it is
possible to manage failover and multiple paths. In networks where multiple SN 5428-2 Storage Routers
are connected to an intelligent storage array, each SN 5428-2 has one (and only one) instance of
transparent SCSI routing; the instance is unique to that storage router and cannot fail over to another
storage router.
FCIP Overview
Fibre Channel over IP (FCIP) enables two or more peer SN 5428-2 Storage Routers to provide
connectivity between FC hosts and FC storage devices over an IP network.
To deploy FCIP, at least two SN 5428-2 Storage Routers are required, each configured for FCIP and
connected to a SAN (or to any FC host or FC device). The peer storage routers are connected to each
other through an IP network. (See Figure 1-14.)
Figure 1-14 FCIP Overview
An FC host or FC device needs no additional hardware or software to access storage devices via an
SN 5428-2 Storage Router deployed for FCIP.
To configure an SN 5428-2 Storage Router deployed for FCIP, you need a basic understanding of the
following concepts:
• Using FCIP to Route Fibre Channel Packets, page 1-15
• FCIP Network Structures, page 1-16
Using FCIP to Route Fibre Channel Packets
With FCIP, peer SN 5428-2 Storage Routers transport FC frames over an IP network. From the
perspective of the SANs, the storage devices accessed through the SN 5428-2s appear to be part of one
unified SAN.
IP
SN 5428-2
SN 5428-2
Peer SN 5428-2s deployed for FCIP
provide connectivity between SANs
over an IP network
91007
FC hosts and
storage devices
FC hosts and
storage devices
SAN 1
SAN 2