Front-End Cabling, Cabling SAN-Attached Host Servers

Front-End Cabling

Front-end cabling refers to the connections between the storage system and host servers. Front‐end connections can be made using Fibre Channel, iSCSI, or SAS interfaces.

The storage system connects to switches or connects directly to a host server, depending on the type of front-end ports.

•A storage system with Fibre Channel front-end ports connects to one or more FC switches, which connect to one or more host servers.

•A storage system with iSCSI front-end ports connects to one or more Ethernet switches, which connect to one or more host servers.

•A storage system with a SAS front-end interface connects directly to one or more host servers.

In addition, the MGMT port on each storage controller connects to an Ethernet switch on the management network. This connection to the management network allows configuration, administration, and management of the Storage Center.

For more information, see the Dell Storage Center SCv2080 Storage System Deployment Guide.

Cabling SAN-Attached Host Servers

An SCv2080 storage system with Fibre Channel or iSCSI front-end ports connects to host servers through Fibre Channel or Ethernet switches.

NOTE: The left storage controller is storage controller 1 and the front-end ports are numbered left to right. The right storage controller is storage controller 2 and the front-end ports are numbered left to right.

1.Connect each host server to the switches.

2.Connect fault domain 1 to switch 1.

a.Connect a cable from storage controller 1: port 1 to switch 1.

b.Connect a cable from storage controller 2: port 1 to switch 1.

c.(Four port I/O card only) Connect a cable from storage controller 1: port 3 to switch 1.

d.(Four port I/O card only) Connect a cable from storage controller 2: port 3 to switch 1.

3.Connect fault domain 2 to switch 2.

a.Connect a cable from storage controller 1: port 2 to switch 2.

b.Connect a cable from storage controller 2: port 2 to switch 2.

c.(Four-port I/O card only) Connect a cable from storage controller 1: port 4 to switch 2.

d.(Four-port I/O card only) Connect a cable from storage controller 2: port 4 to switch 2.