Installation guide

3 – Planning
Multiple Chassis Fabrics
3-12 59096-02 C
S
3.5.4.3
Multistage Topology
A Multistage topology describes a fabric in which two or more edge switches
connect to one or more core switches. Using 16-port model 5600 switches, the
Multistage fabric shown in Figure 3-6 has the following characteristics:
 Each link contributes up to 212 MB of bandwidth between chassis.
Competition for this bandwidth is less than that of a cascade topology, but
greater than that of the mesh topology.
 Latency between any two ports is no more than two chassis hops.
 52 1/2/4-Gbps Fibre Channel ports are available for devices.
Figure 3-6. Multistage Topology
Edge Switch
Edge Switch Edge Switch
Core Switch