Specifications

Planning Considerations for Fibre Channel Topologies

3-1

Planning Considerations

for Fibre Channel

Topologies

A storage area network (SAN) is typically defined as a network of

shared storage resources that can be allocated throughout a

heterogeneous environment. This chapter describes planning

considerations for incorporating McDATA products into Fibre

Channel SAN topologies. The chapter specifically describes:

• Fibre Channel topologies (arbitrated loop and multiswitch fabric).

• Characteristics of arbitrated loop operation.

• Planning for private arbitrated loop connectivity.

• Planning for fabric-attached arbitrated loop connectivity.

• Fabric topologies (mesh, core-to-edge, and SAN islands).

• Planning for multiswitch fabric support.

• General fabric design considerations.

• Large fabric design considerations.

• Mixed fabric design considerations.

• Fibre connection (FICON) cascading.

Fibre Channel Topologies

Intrepid-series directors and Sphereon-series fabric switches support

device connectivity through multiswitch fabric topologies. Sphereon

4000-series fabric switches also support connectivity through an

arbitrated loop topology. A combination of these topologies (hybrid

topology) is also supported. Topologies are described as follows: