User guide

Figure 5 Fiber Optic Fibre Channel cable
Copper Fibre Channel cables
The Enterprise Virtual Array uses copper Fibre Channel cables to interconnect disk shelves. The
cables are available in 0.6-meter (1.97 ft.) and 2.0-meter (6.56 ft.) lengths. Copper cables provide
performance comparable to fiber optic cables. Copper cable connectors differ from fiber optic
small form-factor connectors (see Figure 6 (page 12)).
Figure 6 Copper Fibre Channel cable
Fibre Channel disk drives
The Fibre Channel disk drives are hot-pluggable and include the following features:
• Dual-ported 4 Gbps Fibre Channel controller interface that allows up to 96 disk drives to be
supported per array controller enclosure
• Compact, direct-connect design for maximum storage density and increased reliability and
signal integrity
• Both online high-performance disk drives and FATA disk drives supported in a variety of
capacities and spindle speeds
• Better vibration damping for improved performance
Up to 12 disk drives can be installed in a drive enclosure.
Disk drive status indicators
Two status indicators display drive operational status. Figure 7 (page 12) identifies the disk drive
status indicators. Table 3 (page 13) describes them.
Figure 7 Disk status indicators
2. Green1. Bi-color (amber/blue)
12 EVA6400/8400 hardware