FW V06.XX/HAFM SW V08.02.00 HP StorageWorks SAN High Availability Planning Guide (AA-RS2DD-TE, July 2004)
Table Of Contents
- SAN HA Planning Guide
- Contents
- About this Guide
- Introduction to HP Fibre Channel Products
- Product Management
- Planning Considerations for Fibre Channel Topologies
- Fibre Channel Topologies
- Planning for Point-to-Point Connectivity
- Characteristics of Arbitrated Loop Operation
- Planning for Private Arbitrated Loop Connectivity
- Planning for Fabric-Attached Loop Connectivity
- Planning for Multi-Switch Fabric Support
- Fabric Topologies
- Planning a Fibre Channel Fabric Topology
- Fabric Topology Design Considerations
- FICON Cascading
- Physical Planning Considerations
- Port Connectivity and Fiber-Optic Cabling
- HAFM Appliance, LAN, and Remote Access Support
- Inband Management Access (Optional)
- Security Provisions
- Optional Features
- Configuration Planning Tasks
- Task 1: Prepare a Site Plan
- Task 2: Plan Fibre Channel Cable Routing
- Task 3: Consider Interoperability with Fabric Elements and End Devices
- Task 4: Plan Console Management Support
- Task 5: Plan Ethernet Access
- Task 6: Plan Network Addresses
- Task 7: Plan SNMP Support (Optional)
- Task 8: Plan E-Mail Notification (Optional)
- Task 9: Establish Product and HAFM Appliance Security Measures
- Task 10: Plan Phone Connections
- Task 11: Diagram the Planned Configuration
- Task 12: Assign Port Names and Nicknames
- Task 13: Complete the Planning Worksheet
- Task 14: Plan AC Power
- Task 15: Plan a Multi-Switch Fabric (Optional)
- Task 16: Plan Zone Sets for Multiple Products (Optional)
- Index
Configuration Planning Tasks
196 SAN High Availability Planning Guide
Task 15: Plan a Multi-Switch Fabric (Optional)
If a multi-switch fabric topology is to be implemented, carefully plan the physical
characteristics and performance objectives of the topology. Include the proposed
number of fabric elements, characteristics of attached devices, cost, nondisruptive
growth requirements, and service requirements.
When two or more fabric elements are connected through ISLs to form a fabric,
the elements must have compatible operating parameters, compatible name server
zoning configurations, and unique domain identifications (IDs). Planning for a
fabric must be carefully coordinated with planning for zoned configurations.
Consider the following factors when planning for a multi-switch fabric:
■ Fabric topology limits — Consider the practical number of fabric elements
(theoretical maximum of 31, practical limit of 24), number of ISLs per
element, hop count (maximum of 3), and distance limitations (limited by port
type and cable availability).
■ Bandwidth — Consider using multiple ISLs to increase the total bandwidth
available between two fabric elements.
■ Load balancing — If heavy traffic between devices is expected, consider
installing multiple ISLs to create multiple minimum-hop paths for load
balancing.
■ Principal switch selection — If required, plan which fabric element is to be
assigned principal switch duties for the fabric.
■ Critical operations — Consider routing paths that transfer data for critical
operations directly through one director or switch and not through the fabric.
Planning and implementing a multi-switch fabric is a complex and difficult task.
HP recommends that you obtain planning assistance from our professional
services organization before implementing a fabric topology.