ATTO Technology 2200R/D, 3200R, 2100R manual Fibre Channel Cabling, Cable Length, Connector, GBICs

ATTO Technology, Inc. ATTO FibreBridge Installation & Operation Manual

Both ends of each SCSI bus require termination. The ATTO FibreBridge has built-in automatic termination. A terminator does need to be placed on the bus after the last SCSI device. It is important that the correct type of terminator be used for the type of bridge being used: LVD, HVD, or SE.

ATTO

FibreBridge

Built in

Termination

Termination

Figure 6.2 SCSI Termination

Fibre Channel Cabling

Fibre Channel technology offers a variety of cabling options including standard copper, equalized copper, multimode fiber optic, and single mode fiber optic. The type of cable to use varies depending upon the application, environment and distance. The following tables illustrate the different cable options available:

Table 6.1 Copper Cable Recommendations
Cable Length	Cable Type	Connector
< 15 Meters	Unequalized	DB9
³15, £ 30	Equalized	DB9
Meters
Table 6.2 Fiber Optic Cable Recommendations
Cable Length	Cable Type	Cable Size	Connector	Laser Type
Up to 175	Multi Mode	62.5 micron	Duplex SC	Short Wave
Meters
Up to 500	Multi Mode	50 micron	Duplex SC	Short Wave
Meters
Up to 10	Single Mode	9 micron	Duplex SC	Long Wave
Kilometers

Fibre optic cable implementations tend to be more expensive than copper, but they are not susceptible to noise and other interference. If copper Fibre Channel cables are used, it is important to make sure they are separated from power cables and are not coiled or tangled. Be sure to use a high quality cable designed specifically for Fibre Channel applications.

GBICs

Some models of the FibreBridge use GBICs as the Fibre Channel interface into the bridge. GBICs are a small form factor plug-in module that can be removed or inserted without powering off the receiving socket. They give the flexibility to easily change between copper and optical cables with minimal effort and configuration time. GBICs are available in Passive, Active, HSSDC and DB9 Copper as well as Long and Short wave Fibre Optic forms. Passive copper GBICs are not recommended.

ATTO Technology, Inc.

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