System Requirements, Network Equipment | Cisco Systems SN 5428-2

•LUN Trespass feature—provides a LUN failover feature for selected storage arrays that operate on the active/passive port model. When enabled, the trespass feature provides a redundant path from the storage router to the storage array by allowing the storage router to detect a path failure to a storage array port and perform the necessary operations to fail LUNs over to the other port on the storage array without using any multi-path software. See the “LUN Trespass Feature” section on page 6 for details about storage array interoperability.

•TCP Window Tuning—provides the ability to maximize bandwidth across the network by automatically setting the local TCP receive window size to the remote TCP receive window size without user intervention

•A command-line interface (CLI) and a web-based GUI—provides user interfaces for configuration and maintenance of an SN 5428-2

System Requirements

This section describes the system requirements for release 3.5.1 and includes the following information:

•Network Equipment, page 4

•IP Hosts, page 4

•Graphical User Interface, page 5

•iSCSI Driver Version Support, page 5

•Interoperability Information, page 5

Network Equipment

•The Gigabit Ethernet interfaces on the SN 5428-2 Storage Router use a flow control mechanism for stopping and starting traffic that prevents the loss of data. Flow control should also be turned on at the router’s Gigabit Ethernet interfaces where the SN 5428-2 Storage Router is connected.

•If the SN 5428-2 Storage Router is participating in a cluster (SCSI routing only), and the HA or management interfaces are plugged into a switch that has Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) enabled, the storage router should be considered as an end station and the affected ports on the switch should be configured appropriately. For example, set “portfast” on Cisco switches to cause the ports to immediately switch from blocking mode to forwarding mode. This helps prevent time-outs, which can cause unexpected behavior when storage routers join a cluster.

IP Hosts

To ensure the best performance for the SN 5428-2 Storage Router and the iSCSI drivers, the extended windowing feature of TCP and the receive and transmit flow control feature of the Gigabit Ethernet driver should be enabled on all IP hosts connecting to the SN 5428-2. On the SN 5428-2 Storage Router, you can use the CLI show scsirouter all connection tcp command to display the current and maximum TCP window size for each connected host.

Release Notes for Cisco SN 5428-2 Storage Router, Release 3.5.1

4	OL-5241-02

SN 5428-2 specifications

Cisco Systems SN 5428-2 is a highly versatile and advanced network storage solution designed to meet the demands of data center environments. This robust storage appliance integrates cutting-edge technologies to provide high performance, reliability, and scalability, making it an ideal choice for organizations looking to enhance their data management capabilities.

One of the main features of the SN 5428-2 is its high-density architecture, which allows for efficient utilization of space while providing ample storage capacity. The system supports multiple drive configurations, including HDDs and SSDs, enabling users to tailor their storage solutions based on performance needs and budget constraints. With a significant amount of raw capacity available, organizations can effortlessly handle large volumes of data and support intensive workloads.

The SN 5428-2 boasts advanced data protection technologies, ensuring that critical information is safeguarded against loss or corruption. Features like RAID support provide redundancy and fault tolerance, while snapshot and cloning capabilities offer quick recovery options in case of data breaches or system failures. Additionally, built-in encryption features help protect sensitive data both at rest and in transit.

The appliance incorporates state-of-the-art networking capabilities as well. With support for various network protocols, including iSCSI and Fibre Channel, the SN 5428-2 can seamlessly integrate into existing infrastructures. This adaptability allows for easy connection with different servers and storage systems, facilitating a more cohesive and efficient operational environment.

Furthermore, the SN 5428-2 is designed with scalability in mind. Organizations can start with a basic configuration and expand as their storage needs grow by adding additional drives or connecting more appliances. This flexibility ensures that businesses can continue to meet their evolving data demands without the need for complete system overhauls.

Management and monitoring of the SN 5428-2 are simplified through a user-friendly interface that provides real-time insights into system performance, capacity utilization, and health status. Administrators can easily configure and manage storage resources, making operational tasks more efficient.

In summary, Cisco Systems SN 5428-2 stands out in the realm of storage solutions by combining high density, robust data protection, advanced networking capabilities, and remarkable scalability. Its thoughtful design and features make it an essential tool for organizations looking to enhance their data storage infrastructure and improve overall performance. With its reliable and efficient performance, the SN 5428-2 is well-suited for a wide array of data center applications.