Specifications

3
Planning Considerations for Fibre Channel Topologies
3-19
Planning Considerations for Fibre Channel Topologies
Figure 3-11 Example Multiswitch Fabric
A multiswitch fabric is typically complex and provides the facilities
to maintain routing to all device N_Ports attached to the fabric,
handle flow control, and satisfy the requirements of the classes of
Fibre Channel service that are supported.
Fabric Topology
Limits
Operation of multiple directors or switches in a fabric topology is
subject to the following topology limits. Consider the impact of these
limits when planning the fabric.
• Fabric Elements - Each fabric element is defined by a unique
domain identification (Domain_ID) that ranges between 1 and 31.
A Domain_ID of 0 is invalid. Therefore, the theoretical limit of
interconnected directors or switches supported in a single fabric
is 31. For additional information, refer to General Fabric Design
Considerations.
Multiswitch
Fabric
D
3
D
2
D
1
D
4
D
8
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
F
F
F
F
FF
F
N
D
9
D
10
D
11
D
12
FN
N
D
5
F
N
D
6
F
N
D
7
N
N
N
NN
ISLS
ISL
Di
2
S
3
S
1
S
2
ISL
D = Device
ISL = Interswitch Link
S = Fabric Switch (Director)
F
N
F
N
TM
T
M
T
M