Emulex 355 manual Cascading Switches, String Cascades, Tree Cascades

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EMULEX MODEL 355 SAN STORAGE SWITCH

CHAPTER 3: SWITCH MANAGEMENT

USER’S GUIDE

Cascading Switches

When multiple switches are connected, the connecting links between the switches are referred to as “cascades”. There are two distinct cascade configurations to consider when configuring networks for optimal performance and connectivity: string cascades and tree cascades.

String Cascades

A string cascade connects multiple switches (up to three switches maximum) together in a “daisy- chained” configuration. When one device requests access to another device, the request is sent to each switch in the cascade before device access is granted. This arbitration method promotes fairness between the switches. However, when compared to tree cascades, string cascades offer less performance due to the increased latency between the switches.

Figure 3-20: String Cascade configuration example

When configuring a switch port for a string cascade, use the String Cascade Smart Setting. To enable the string cascade, go to the Automatic Trunking page. From the Automatic Trunking page, select the Single Cascade option, or place the string cascade into a trunk group. See “Automatic Trunking” on page 42 for additional information.

To reduce contention and improve performance between initiator traffic and target traffic when using a string cascade configuration, connect the ports of each switch together using the same String Cascade Smart Settings. For example, in Figure 3-20the three switches are connected through two string cascades using the String Cascade - Trunk 1 and String Cascade - Trunk 2 Smart Settings. This creates two dedicated paths through which initiators and targets can communicate.

Tree Cascades

Tree cascades provide the best performance (lowest latency) configuration. A tree cascade consists of a root switch connected to additional switches (up to 8 switches maximum). When a device on a switch requests access to another device, the request is sent the particular switch for that device. The limitation to the tree cascade configuration is the random nature of devices gaining access to one another, as fairness is not used for tree cascades.

Figure 3-21: Tree Cascade configuration example

When configuring a port for a tree cascade, use the Tree Cascade Smart Setting. To enable the tree cascade, go to the Automatic Trunking page. From the Automatic Trunking page, select the Single Cascade option, or place the tree cascade into a trunk group. See “Automatic Trunking” on page 42 for additional information.

EMULEX CORPORATION

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PART NUMBER 00041407-002 REV. B

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Contents Model ART N Umber 00041407-002 R EV. B Table of Contents Chapter Introduction OverviewFeatures Inspeed TechnologyInstallation Preparation To unpack the switchRack Installation Switch InstallationSwitch can be installed in a rack or placed on a desktop To install the switches in the trayUL Guidelines for Mounting Equipment in a Rack Desktop InstallationTo place the switch on a desktop Ethernet LEDs indicate the network connection status Switch LedsEthernet LEDs System LEDs Port LEDs SFP Status Port BypassedInstalling an SFP Attaching a Device to the SwitchRemoving an SFP SFP CompatibilityBooting the Switch and SAN To boot the switch and SANChapter Switch Management To connect through a serial interface Configuring the Network InterfaceGetting Started Connecting to the Web Manager Command Button Description SubmitCancel Web Manager OverviewCommand Button Description Reboot Login/LogoutDocumentation RefreshInitial Switch Setup Log in to the SwitchChange the Password To log in to the switchChange the Switch Name To view the current date and time Click Switch Date & TimeTo set the date and time settings To change the switch name Click Switch ConfigurationManaging the Switch Frequent Switch Configuration TasksLogging in to the Switch Configuring the Switch SettingsTo change a switch setting To reset the switchNetwork Location General Switch SettingsSwitch Identification Switch Speed To change the switch speed Click Switch ConfigurationVersion Information Blocking ARBSetting Snmp Traps To configure an Snmp trapTo synchronize time with the host system Click Host Time Configuring Date and Time SettingsTo change the time Click Switch Date & Time Opening a Telnet Session Changing the PasswordSwitch Password page appears To change switch thresholds or time intervals Adjusting the Switch ThresholdsSwitch Thresholds page appears Port Smart Settings page appears Configuring the Port Smart SettingsTo view the Port Smart Settings Click Port Smart Settings Default Smart Settings Creating Custom Smart Settings To assign a Smart Setting to one or more portsTo set all ports to the currently selected Smart Setting To create a custom Smart SettingSmart Setting Assignments To modify a custom Smart SettingTo rename a custom Smart Setting To delete a custom Smart SettingPort Information Pre-Insertion TestingFollowing settings are available Setting Description Stealth Intelligent Change Change NotificationsManager Change Notification onPort Recovery Managing Firmware and Configuration Files DiagnosticsSetting Description Port Control Bypass on Clock DeltaSwitch Firmware Files Switch Configuration FilesOne-Step Zoning Restoring the Factory Default SettingsTo restore the factory default configuration To add ports to a zone To activate zoningTo remove a port from a zone To remove all ports from a zoneSingle-Switch Zoning 13 Devices in a Single ZoneAdding Devices to Multiple Zones To add storage devices to multiple zonesMultiple Switch Zoning 17 Devices in Multiple Zones Across Multiple SwitchesRecovering a Bad Zone Automatically Alpa ZoningConnecting Ports Through Hard Zoning To set up Hard ZoningTree Cascades Cascading SwitchesString Cascades Automatic Trunking 22 Automatic Trunking exampleLoad Balancing 23 Advanced Functions Automatic TrunkingFairness and Prioritization Load IndicatorsTo change the load balancing settings Viewing Switch Status Monitoring the SwitchSwitch Information Current status is provided for the following itemsPort Utilization and Health Port Color Indication GreenYellow RedTo view the event log Click Switch Event Log Viewing the Event LogEvent Log Messages page appears Last time the event log was polled appears at the topPort Information page appears Viewing Port InformationTo view port information Click Port Information Viewing Port Utilization Port Utilization page appearsValue Description High AverageViewing Port Diagnostics Port Diagnostics page appearsTo save diagnostic information To reset a port Click Advanced Functions Diagnostics PortManual Port Operation To clear the countersViewing Ordered Sets CRC Error Detection Indication F7 InitializationChange Notification UnknownTroubleshooting Device Connections Troubleshooting Management Connections Port Bypass Conditions and RecoveryDefault Smart Setting Attributes Fibre Channel References Appendixes Switch Specifications Operating ConditionsConnecting to the CLI Logging in and OUTTo connect through a network interface To log in to the CLIUsing the CLI Frequent Switch Configuration TasksCLI Commands Severity Description Level Event Event Message SeverityError during Port Disc Port Ptbi failed due to timeoutInterswitch link added/removed LIP Cycle TimeoutArbitrated Loop Physical Addresses Hex DecimalAlpa or Arbitrated Loop Physical AddressArbitration Current Fill WordIndex SFP Part Number 00041407-002 REV. B
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355 specifications

The Emulex 355 is a high-performance network interface card (NIC) designed specifically for data centers requiring advanced connectivity, reliability, and speed. With the rapid evolution of data transmission technology, the Emulex 355 stands out due to its robust features and capabilities that cater to the demands of modern IT infrastructures.

One of the key features of the Emulex 355 is its support for 10 Gigabit Ethernet, which allows for significantly faster data transfer rates compared to standard Gigabit connections. This increased bandwidth is essential for handling large volumes of data traffic, particularly in virtualized environments and cloud computing applications. Its high throughput ensures that data can be transmitted rapidly across networks, minimizing latency and improving overall performance.

The Emulex 355 employs advanced technologies such as iSCSI Offload and FCoE (Fibre Channel over Ethernet), which help enhance data processing efficiency. These technologies allow the card to offload processing tasks from the host system's CPU, reducing the load on server resources and optimizing performance. The result is a more efficient system that can handle more concurrent connections and processes without being overwhelmed.

In addition to speed and efficiency, reliability is paramount in data center operations. The Emulex 355 includes features like error detection and correction, ensuring data integrity during transmission. Built-in redundancy and failover capabilities safeguard against potential network disruptions, allowing for continuous availability of services—a crucial aspect in mission-critical environments.

The Emulex 355 also offers support for various robust networking protocols, enabling seamless integration into existing network infrastructures. Its compatibility with multiple operating systems and virtualization platforms, such as VMware and Microsoft Hyper-V, further enhances its versatility.

Another notable characteristic of the Emulex 355 is its energy-efficient design. It is optimized for lower power consumption without sacrificing performance, aligning with contemporary efforts to reduce the carbon footprint in data centers.

In conclusion, the Emulex 355 NIC is a powerful solution equipped with features that address the complex demands of modern data centers. Its combination of speed, reliability, and efficiency, along with advanced technologies, makes it a preferred choice for organizations looking to enhance their network capabilities and ensure smooth, uninterrupted operations.
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