User guide

D-2 Compaq StorageWorks RAID Array 4100 User Guide
Advantages of Fibre Channel
The advantages of Fibre Channel technology include:
■ Higher Performance
 100 MB/s data bandwidth on one Fibre Channel loop
 Higher I/O throughput
■ Connectivity Improvement
 Supports multiple data format packets (SCSI, IPI-3, and IP
protocols). The Compaq StorageWorks RAID Array 4100 supports
the SCSI protocol.
 Up to 126 ports per Arbitrated Loop
 Smaller cables and connectors
 No bus termination required
 Shortwave Laser supports distances from 2 meters to 500 meters
 Longwave Laser supports distances up to 10 kilometers
■ Reliability
 Immune to electrical noise
 Packet protocol with CRC
Fibre Channel and External Storage
Systems
Compaq supports two forms of Fibre Channel interconnect schemes with the
Compaq StorageWorks RAID Array 4100. One connection method is point-to-
point, where the server is directly connected to the external storage system by
Fibre Channel cable. A single (two-fiber) Fibre Channel cable connects the
server to the external storage system. This connection provides high
performance, full-duplex, serial data transfers to a dedicated external storage
system. See Table D-1.
The other interconnect method is called a Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop
(FC-AL). The FC-AL is a serial interface that creates logical point-to-point
connections between ports on the loop. Ultimately, several RA4100(s) and
multiple servers may be on the FC-AL. The bandwidth of an FC-AL is shared
by all ports on the loop. A single pair of ports on the loop communicates at
one time while the other ports on the loop act as repeaters.