Architecture Fundamentals

Unified graphical user interface (GUI) provides intuitive configuration, management and reporting for every Dot Hill SANnet II series array in your environment.

Support for a broad range of RAID levels: 0, 1, 0+1, 3, 5, 3+0 and 5+0 assures flexible performance and protection.

Dynamically expand capacity and performance by adding disks without interrupting storage operations or attached servers.

Automated read and write cache management with user selectable write-through or write-back cache policies and optimization for sequential or random access.

Choose between single-bus or dual-bus disk configurations using a simple SCSI cable connection.

SANnet II 200 SCSI arrays are modular storage systems that provide direct attached storage (DAS) to open systems servers using Ultra160 SCSI connections. In addition to supporting typical enterprise environments, these rugged systems are NEBS Level 3-certified for use in telecommunications and ISP infrastructures, and Mil-STD-810F-certified for use in military applications.

The modular architecture consists of a number of self-contained base enclosures, expansion enclosures and disks. Each base and expansion enclosure occupies 2U of rack space and supports up to 12 disks. Base enclosures include one or two controllers while expansion enclosures contain no controllers. These three fundamental items fit together into a range of supported configurations.

For example, a base enclosure can support more than 12 disks by adding one or two expansion enclosures. Once expansion enclosures are added, the collection of enclosures and disks becomes one fully integrated array – effectively the equivalent of a base enclosure supporting 24 or 36 disks – rather than multiple independent enclosures. The expansion of base units is optional.

The smallest possible SANnet II 200 SCSI array configuration consists of a single base enclosure containing a number of fully integrated field replaceable units (FRUs) such as controllers. Other FRUs include enclosure management units (EMUs), host input/output cards (SCSI modules), termination cards and power/cooling units. The exact number and combination of FRUs included within each base or expansion enclosure varies by SANnet II SCSI array model.

Management Interfaces

Configuration, administration and reporting are possible through a number of in-band and out-of- band management paths to SANnet II 200 SCSI arrays. SNMP-based LAN management is available using a Fast Ethernet (10/100BASE-T) connection. Direct access to a menu-based terminal management facility is within reach via VT100 serial ports. Dot Hill’s SANscape provides remote management from administrator workstations.