Users Guide

5. In the Downlink Ports Future column, enter an even number of downlink ports (connections to the

servers, switches, or ToR) required for future expansion of the fabric.

NOTE: If you select the Blade switch (MXL) deployment option in the Fabric Name and Type

screen, the Bandwidth and Port Count screen displays a Blade Switch Pairs option instead of a

Downlink Ports option in the Number of edge ports required by the fabric area.

6. If you are connecting to Fibre Channel ports, navigate to the Fibre Channel Ports area and then enter

the required number of current and future ports for this interface in the Current and Future columns.

The minimum number of Fibre Channel ports is two.

The maximum number of Fibre Channel ports (current and future) is the number of S5000 access

switches multiplied by twelve.

7. If you are connecting to iSCSI ports, navigate to the iSCSI ports section and then enter the required

number of current and future ports for this interface in the

Current and Future columns.

The minimum number of iSCSI ports is two.

The maximum number of iSCSI ports (current and future) is eight.

8. Review the values and then click Next to go to the Deployment Topology screen.

Standard Fabric Design – Deployment Topology

AFM displays applicable deployment topologies based on the data center workload requirements

specified in the

Fabric Name and Type and Bandwidth and Port Count screens. By default, AFM selects

one of the topologies. To display additional deployment topology options, click the deployment topology

filter icon on the top right of the screen. The output from these screens and the

Deployment Topology

and Fabric Customization screens create the network topology and the detailed wiring plan. For more

information, refer to Deployment Topology Use Cases.

Based on your design requirements, create a one, two, or three-tier topology as shown below. To filter

the deployment topologies, select the Layer 2, Layer 3, or Layer 3 with Resiliency (Routed VLT) options.

You can also filter by device type, cable type, or other information by selecting the filter icon in the

upper-right.

Figure 14. Standard Fabric Design — Deployment Topology

Designing the Fabric