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1/10 iSCSI Switches (SC, SCv, and FS Series)
15 Dell EMC Storage Compatibility Matrix for SC, PS, and FS Series Arrays | DSCM
3.3 iSCSI Switches
3.3.1 1/10 iSCSI Switches (SC, SCv, and FS Series)
Dell supports the use of a 1/10Gb Ethernet switch for use within SC Series iSCSI SAN solutions which meets
a minimum set of criteria that Dell has determined are necessary to ensure the proper functionality of the SAN
solution.
Note: For FluidFS, the iSCSI SAN switch may also be used for Interconnect (in multi-appliance
configurations) and so Jumbo Frames should be supported independently of storage array.
Dell ProSupport service offerings will provide customers contractual support (Level 1 support) for iSCSI SAN
based connectivity in a dedicated SAN infrastructure using any Ethernet switch that provide the following
functionality and features:
• All switching components in the SAN must have active support contracts in place with device vendor
• Non-blocking backplane
• Link level flow control (IEEE 802.3x) on ingress/inbound switch ports (also known as “Rx Flow
Control” or “receive-side flow control” from the switch port’s point of view)
• Dynamic packet buffer management with a minimum of:
• 4MB of packet buffer for 1Gbps switches
• 9MB of packet buffer for 10Gbps switches
• Ability to configure ports to immediate forwarding state for edge ports (may be known as “portfast”
mode)
• Jumbo Frames (MTU 9000+ bytes) support if enabled on storage array
• Unicast storm control configuration
• VLAN and VLAN Tagging support
• Switch has a valid support contract in effect from the switch vendor at the time of the incident
Protocols and standards requirements:
• IEEE 802.1 AB LLDP
• IEEE 802.1p L2 Prioritization
• IEEE 802.1X Network Access Control
• IEEE 802.3x Flow Control
• IEEE 802.3z Gigabit Ethernet (1000Base-X) with QSA
• IEEE 802.1Q VLAN Tagging, Double VLAN Tagging, GVRP if enabled on storage array
• IEEE 802.3ac Frame Extensions for VLAN Tagging
• IETF RFC793 TCP
• IETF RFC1042 Ethernet Transmission
These features are typically present in certain classes of switches from switch vendors that are targeted at
data center environments. These switches may be described by switch vendors as “enterprise class”, “top of
rack” or “data center edge” offerings.
Please work with your Dell storage expert to determine whether your switch is suitable for use with an iSCSI
SAN solution.