32 Installation Guide (AA-RSTZF-TE, November 2005)

Edge Switch 2/32 installation guide 13

1Introduction to the Edge Switch 2/32

This chapter describes the HP StorageWorks Edge Switch 2/32 (Edge Switch) and includes the

following topics:

• Edge Switch description, page 13

• Edge Switch features, page 14

• Hardware components, page 17

• Tools and test equipment, page 19

• Optional kits, page 21

Edge Switch description

The Edge Switch 2/32 provides:

• Dynamic switched connections between Fibre Channel servers and devices in a storage area

network (SAN) environment, including:

• Data connection and flow control between device node ports (N_Ports) as dictated by the

Fibre Channel and Signaling Interface (FC-PH 4.3)

• Creation of a multiswitch fabric using interswitch links (ISLs)

• Connectivity for devices manufactured by multiple original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)

• Fibre Channel technology that includes:

• A bandwidth of 2.125 Gbps

• Redundant switched data paths

• A scalable number of active ports

• Long transmission distances (up to 35 km)

• Support for an open-systems interconnection (OSI) computing environment

Edge Switch ports can be configured as:

• Fabric ports (F_Ports)—Provide connectivity for up to 32 switched fabric devices.

• Expansion ports (E_Ports)—Provide interswitch link (ISL) connectivity to fabric directors and

switches. Generic mixed ports (GX_Ports)—Configure ports as generic loop ports (GL_Ports).

GX_Ports are optional and must be configured through a feature key. For more information about

feature keys, see the HP StorageWorks Edge Switch Element Manager user guide.

• Generic ports (G_Ports)—Configure ports as generic ports. G_Ports are optional and must be

configured through a feature key. For more information about feature keys, see the HP

StorageWorks Edge Switch Element Manager user guide.

The Edge Switch can be installed on a table or desktop or mounted in an equipment cabinet or in

any standard equipment rack.

Multiple switches and the High Availability Fabric Manager (HAFM) appliance communicate on a

local area network (LAN) through one or more 10Base-T Ethernet hubs.