Support of multiple protocols, Support for more, heterogeneous storage devices, Support for new hardware and software – Sun Microsystems FC Switch-8 and Switch-16 816-0830-12 User Manual
Page 34: Software upgrade only, Building blocks for more complex topologies
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Sun StorEdge Network FC Switch-8 and Switch-16 Installation and Configuration Guide • October 2001
Support of Multiple Protocols
The StorEdge Network product supports both SCSI (FCP) and IP(FCIP) over the
Fibre Channel. This allows both storage and networking applications to work on the
SAN and minimizes the need for multiple networks.
FCIP can be used in any supported topology and can be used for traditional IP
applications and IP file access at the same time. Simultaneous SCSI and IP traffic in
the same switch zone is not currently supported.
Support for More, Heterogeneous Storage Devices
Block, sequential, and file access protocols are supported with this product. A
variety of SCSI devices can be attached to the SAN, such as block-storage disks,
intelligent RAID controllers, sequential FC-tape devices, robotic tape libraries and
SCSI enclosure services. File-access devices, such as Network Attached Storage
(NAS) and NFS devices can be attached to the SAN, as well.
Support for New Hardware and Software
This version of the StorEdge Network provides support for new Fibre Channel host
adapters, such as the Sun StorEdge PCI Dual Fibre Channel Network Adapter+ and
CPCI Dual Fibre Channel Network Adapter. New software support includes
Multiplexed I/O Sun StorEdge Traffic Manager, allowing management and load
balancing across multiple paths between a host and storage device, the newest
release of Sun’s Solstice Disk Suite volume manager, SDS 4.2.1, and the StorEdge
Network Data Replicator (SNDR).
Software Upgrade Only
Upgrading from previous versions of the Sun StorEdge Network FC product doesn’t
have to involve any new hardware. While new hardware is supported, none is
required for this version of the product.
Building Blocks for More Complex Topologies
This version of the StorEdge Area Network introduces configurations with
interconnected switches. While not all configurations are supported or permitted,
cascaded switches allow more reliability, speed and larger SANs.