User`s guide

Chapter

Introduction

Introduction to the Fibre Channel

Storage Switch

The Fibre Channel Gigabit Storage Switch consists of:

■

A motherboard

■

A processor board

■

Connectors for supporting up to 8 dual-port interface cards

■

Firmare for building and managing a Fabric.

A Fabric is an active, intelligent, non-shared interconnect scheme for Fibre

Channel server and storage nodes. One or more Switches interconnected

create a Fibre Channel Fabric. Figure 1-1 shows the front view of the

Switch.

Beginning with Switch Features, this chapter contains a section each on the

system components and the interface cards.

NOTE: Note: Zoning, Cascading, FL_ports, SES, and Copper Media are not fully

supported by Compaq as of April 1999. However, the software bundle that

enables these features is included in the software package with this Switch and

is provided at no additional cost so that customers may have the opportunity to

become familiar with these advanced SAN functions. Compaq will support many

of these and other SAN functions in the future. Contact your Compaq Authorized

Reseller or Compaq Account Representative for specific information on these

features.