Storage Area Network Configurations for RA8000/ESA12000 on Windows NT-Intel Application Note

Application Note
AA–RHH6B–TE Page 11
SAN Fabric Configuration 1 - One FC Switch, Controller Transparent Failover
Mode, Integrated EBS
SAN Fabric Configuration 1 (Figure 2) is a general-purpose configuration that provides connectivity
for multiple servers, disk storage, and tape storage all on a single SAN. Up to 12 separate non-
cooperating servers or up to 6 pairs of clustered cooperating servers can be connected through a 16-
port switch providing access from all servers to a single storage system. With an 8-port FC switch up
to 4 servers can be connected to 1 storage system. With either switch type the number of storage
systems can be increased if the number of servers is reduced to provide additional switch ports for
storage. The HSG80 array controllers within the RA8000 or ESA12000 storage enclosure are
configured in Transparent failover mode providing full controller redundancy in the unlikely event of
either controller failing.
Figure 2 One Switch Fabric Configuration Example
SAN Configuration 1 Server/Storage Connectivity Rules
• Any mix of Windows NT Intel Servers - standalone or clustered, and storage systems using these
maximums. Assumes 1 FC HBA per server, an even storage port count, and no EBS ports.
• 16-port FC Switch, total number of switch ports available for Servers and Storage is 16
Maximum Server Connectivity,
Up to 12 Servers and 1 Storage System (4 storage ports/2 Active, 2 Standby)
[16 – 4 storage ports = 12 server ports]
Maximum of 8 servers configured on any one active controller host port
Or Maximum Storage Capacity,
Up to 4 Storage Systems (14 storage ports/7 Active, 7 Standby) and 2 Servers
[16 – 2 server ports = 14 storage ports]
• 8-port FC Switch, total number of switch ports available for Servers and Storage is 8
Maximum Server Connectivity,
Up to 4 Servers and 1 Storage System (4 storage ports/2 Active, 2 Standby)
[8 – 4 storage ports = 4 server ports]
24 Disks
24 Disks
RA8000 or
ESA12000 FC
Dual Controller
24 Disks
Port 1 A Port 2
Port 1 B Port 2
SHR-1427
Active
Active
Standby
Standby
. . . . .
Windows NT
Intel
Server
FC HBA
Windows NT
Intel
Server
FC HBA
Windows NT
Intel
Server
FC HBA
Windows NT
Intel
Server
FC HBA
NT Cluster
FC Switch