HP P4459A manual Switching Operation, Switching Using Fibre Channel Protocol

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HP P4459A 8-Port Fibre Loop Switch Installation & Operation Guide

Switching Operation

The fibre loop switch implements the Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop protocol. It provides concurrent connections to the storage area network (SAN) without changing the FC-AL interface, which most SAN end-node devices normally communicate.

The SAN operation changes dramatically when comparing a switch with a hub environment. The normal operation, as seen by a single end-node device, does not change, other than a rapid acceleration of responses in a switch environment. Figure 3 illustrates how the fibre loop switch alters the response speed without changing the nature of the responses seen by a participating node.

Figure 3: Switching Using Fibre Channel Protocol

The fibre loop switch maintains signal and data integrity by re-timing and re-amplifying the signal at each port. The data-path routing, however, is significantly different in the switch than with a hub.

As shown on the top of Figure 3, a Fibre Channel network has a physical loop structure. All traffic must go through all nodes. Since the physical media is shared by all nodes, the bandwidth must be partitioned between any nodes that

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Contents HP Part Number Audience Assumptions Safety Instructions Symbols Used on EquipmentSymbols in Text Contents Appendix B Regulatory Information Preface Related PublicationsRelated Web Sites Chapter Introducing the HP P4459A Port Fibre Loop Switch Fibre Loop Switch FeaturesGbic Ports Front View of the Fibre Loop Switch Front Panel LEDsLEDs Switching Operation Switching Using Fibre Channel ProtocolFibre Channel Arbitration in the Fibre Loop Switch Fibre Loop Switch Initialization Introducing the HP P4459A 8-Port Fibre Loop Switch Page Installing the Fibre Loop Switch Unpacking the Fibre Loop SwitchInstalling and Removing GBICs Fibre Loop Switch Installing a GbicRemoving a Gbic Remove any cables attached to the GbicRack Mounting the Fibre Loop Switch Rack InstallationRack Installation Basics Mounting in HP Systems Racks Tools Required Preparation Marking Holes and Attaching Barrel Nuts on HP Systems Racks Mark the Rack Column Holes Place the Barrel Nuts on the Rack ColumnsInstalling the Fibre Loop Switch Attach the Sleeves to the Front Rack Columns Identify the six Torx screws Attaching Sleeves to an HP Systems Rack Installing the Fibre Loop Switch Attach the Switch Rails to the Switch Chassis Securing the Switch Rails to the SwitchInstall the switch Installing the Switch into an HP Systems Rack Complete the Installation Connect the appropriate AC power cord to the switchRetract the anti-tip foot, if desired Powering up a System Cabling for the Fibre Loop SwitchCopper cable requirements for the Fibre Loop Switch Chapter Fibre Loop Switch Troubleshooting General Maintenance ConsiderationsTroubleshooting the Switch Reading the LED IndicatorsReading The Power, Fault, and Initialization LEDs Reset Button ConnectionsTemperature Control Fibre Channel CablesFans Filler PanelPage Appendix a Fibre Loop Switch Functional Specifications SwitchingPhysical Specifications Environmental SpecificationsElectrical Specifications LED SpecificationsFibre Channel Communications Regulatory CertificationVcci V3 1997, Class a Page Appendix B Regulatory Information Regulatory NoticesElectromagnetic Compliance Class a Accessories Class a EquipmentFor products labeled as Class a Class a Warning Radio Frequency Emissions Warning for Accessories Declaration of Conformity US and EU Declaration of ConformityRegulatory Notices Product Safety Laser Safety Germany Class Laser Product Lasser Klasse 1 Produkt Appendix C Warranty and Support Hardware Accessories Limited WarrantyHewlett-Packard Hardware Accessories HP Repair and Telephone Support Third-Party Hardware ProductsCanada Other CountriesWorld Wide Web Page Glossary Transmission sent to all NPorts on a network ElectroMagnetic Compatibility FC-PH Fpga Time delay of data traffic through a network or a switch Lilp Lpsm OFC Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop that is connected to a fabric SAN Physical or logical layout of nodes on a network