Expand Configuration and Management Manual (G06.24+)

Planning a Network Design

Expand Configuration and Management Manual—523347-008

3-10

When to Use a Multi-CPU Path

Figure 3-2 illustrates an eight-line configuration.

When to Use a Multi-CPU Path

The Expand multi-CPU feature enables you to connect multiple Expand line-handler

processes, each in a separate processor, between two nodes.

The major benefits of configuring a multi-CPU path are

•

Fault-tolerance is increased. If one or more paths in a multi-CPU path fail, the

Expand subsystem automatically reroutes data over the remaining paths. You can

also attach paths to different hardware communications devices for an additional

level of fault-tolerance.

•

The communications load is shared among multiple processors. Each Expand

line-handler process (or multi-line path) that is a member of a multi-CPU path is

configured in a different processor so, unlike multi-line paths, no single processor

handles all of the processing for the path.

Figure 3-2. Multi-Line Path With Eight Lines and Eight SWAN Concentrators

026CDT .CDD

$LINE1

$LINE2

$LINE3

$LINE4

$LINE5

$LINE6

$LINE7

$LINE8

$PATH2

SWAN

$X25AM1 SWAN

$X25AM2

SWAN