Reference Guide

8 Introduction
NOTE: NPIV allows multiple port IDs to share a single physical port.
NOTE: Virtual Port mode allows the Storage Center to expand the number of
available front-end ports by transferring data on all the ports. If a physical port fails,
the virtual port can be moved to a different physical port within the fault domain. It is
recommended that Virtual Port mode be used in the cluster environment.
The storage system in the cluster is centrally managed by one host system
(also called a management station) running Compellent Storage Center
software—a centralized storage management application used to configure
the Compellent Storage Center.
The Compellent Storage Center System Manager performs the following
functions:
• Provides a central management interface to create and manage Storage
Center volumes, servers, disks, and users.
• Displays the status of hardware components.
• Enables local and remote backup and restore.
• Provides Phone Home technical support.
• Allows multiple users to have different levels of access privileges.
Fibre Channel switch At least two 8 Gbps Fibre Channel switches. The switches
must support NPIV in order to support Virtual Port mode.
Multiple clusters and
stand-alone systems
Can share a storage system. See "Installing and
Configuring the Shared Storage System" on page 29.
Table 1-2. Cluster Storage Requirements
(continued)
Hardware Components Requirement