Example SAN configurations

Examples of typical ways to configure your system and an associated Fibre Channel network are provided to guide you in setting up your SAN configuration.

SAN fabric function is available only if a Fibre Channel option is installed. Otherwise, this information does not apply.

Note: The illustrations in these examples do not show expansion enclosures as they have no relationship to SAN connectivity.
Figure 1 illustrates a small SAN configuration. Two Fibre Channel switches are used to provide redundancy. The control enclosures and each host system are connected to both Fibre Channel switches. If you are using external storage systems with the system, connect as shown in this illustration.
Figure 1. Simple SAN configuration
This figure depicts a simple SAN configuration
Figure 2 illustrates a medium-sized configuration with external storage systems. The Fibre Channel SAN fabric consists of switches that are interconnected with interswitch links (ISLs). For redundancy, connect each control enclosure and external storage system to two fabrics. The example fabric attaches the control enclosures and the storage systems to the core switch. No ISL hops exist between node canister ports or between the control enclosures and the external storage systems. The example fabric attaches the control enclosure and the storage systems to the core switch. No ISL hops exist between node canister ports or between the control enclosure and the external storage systems.
Figure 2. SAN configuration with a medium-sized fabric
This figure depicts a medium-sized SAN configuration
Figure 3 illustrates a large fabric that consists of two core Fibre Channel switches and edge switches that are interconnected with ISLs. For redundancy, use two fabrics with each host system, node, and storage system that is being connected. Both fabrics attach the nodes to both core fabrics and distribute the storage systems between the two core switches. This configuration ensures that no ISL hops exist between nodes or between nodes and the storage systems.
Figure 3. SAN configuration with a large fabric
This figure depicts a large-size SAN configuration
Figure 4 illustrates a fabric where the host systems are at two different sites. A long-wave optical link is used to interconnect switches at the different sites. For redundancy, use two fabrics and at least two separate long-distance links. If many host systems are at the remote site, use ISL trunking to increase the available bandwidth between the two sites.
Figure 4. SAN configuration across two sites
This figure depicts a SAN fabric configuration where host systems are located at two different sites