NonStop NS16000 Series Planning Guide (H06.11+)

Unlike the fixed hardware I/O configurations and topologies in NonStop S-series systems, I/O
configurations in Integrity NonStop NS16000 series system are flexible with few restrictions. Those
few restrictions prevent I/O configurations that compromise fault tolerance or high availability,
especially with disk storage as outlined in “Configuration Restrictions for Fibre Channel Devices”
(page 95).
NOTE: Refer to the BladeCluster Solution Manual for information about connecting processor
switches to a BladeCluster.
Processor Switches to Networking CLIMs
Each p-switch (for the X or Y ServerNet fabric) has up to four I/O PICs (slots 6 through 9, starting
with slot 9) recommended for networking CLIM (IP, Telco, or IB CLIM) connections. Slots 4 and 5
can also be used for networking CLIM connections.
A networking CLIM uses either one or two ServerNet connections per fabric. Two ServerNet
connections per fabric enhance networking CLIM performance.
• For one ServerNet connection per fabric, one I/O PIC can support up to four networking CLIMs
in the system, allowing up to 16 networking CLIMs in the system (up to 20 networking CLIMs
if p-switch slots 4 and 5 are also used). Two ServerNet cables connect two ports of an I/O
PIC in the X and Y ServerNet p-switches to the corresponding ports on one of the networking
CLIMs in the NonStop NS16000 series enclosure.
• For two ServerNet connections per fabric, one I/O PIC can support up to two networking
CLIMs in the system, allowing up to eight networking CLIMs in the system (up to ten networking
CLIMs if p-switch slots 4 and 5 are also used). Four ServerNet cables connect each of the four
ports of an I/O PIC in the X and Y ServerNet p-switches to the corresponding ports on one of
the networking CLIMs in the NonStop NS16000 series enclosure.
76 System Configuration Guidelines