ATTO Technology VT-Class manual Connecting a Fibre Channel Array, Autoconfiguration

2 Gb HIC uses

2 SFPs to connect up

to 2 FC cables

3.2.1 Connecting a Fibre Channel Array

The Diamond-VT supports up to two Fibre Channel Host Interface Cards (HIC). Physical connections and CLI commands contribute to the Fibre Channel topology.

The Diamond-VT may have two Fibre Channel Host Interface Cards (HIC). Each HIC is connected by a Fibre Channel cable via an SFP (small form factor pluggable) module into a

point-to-point or loop Fibre Channel topology.

1Install the SFP according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

2Insert the SFP into the Fibre Channel Host Interface Card in the back of the Diamond-VT.

3Insert the correct cable.

The cable you use depends upon your application, the environment and the distance required for your storage area network.

To comply with FCC and CE EMI for the 2- gigabit Host Interface Card, use fiber optic cables.

Exhibit 3.2.1-1 Fibre Channel cable options

Cable length	Cable type	Cable
		size
<10 meters	Unequalized
	copper
>10 <30 meters	Equalized copper
Up to 175	multi mode fiber	62.5
meters	optic	micron
Up to 500	multi mode fiber	50 micron
meters	optic
Up to 10	single mode fiber	9 micron
kilometers	optic

Each HIC has two ports and an on-board hub. Each port has an SFP module to connect to Fibre Channel. Each HIC is independent of the other, so that one may be connected into a point-to-point topology and the other into a loop. However, if

one port in a HIC is connected into a point-to- point topology, the other port cannot be used.

One of the advantages of using loop topology for Fibre Channel connections is that it allows Diamond-VT units to be daisy-chained together. See Exhibit 3.2.1-2.

Autoconfiguration

The Diamond-VT automatically determines if the Array HICs are in loop or point-to-point topologies.

If you wish to see how the unit has been set up, go to the CLI commands and type Info or go to the Status page of the ExpressNAV interface. The return displays the data rate and connection mode for each HIC (FC 0 and FC 1).

Manual configuration

You may manually configure the Diamond-VT using CLI commands (see CLI: Interface via ASCII- based Commands on page 27.) or access the Fibre Channel page of the ExpressNAV interface.

The FCConnMode CLI command specifies the Fibre Channel topology for both HICs on a Diamond-VT. Options are loop only (loop), point- to-point only (ptp), loop preferred (loop-ptp) or point-to-point preferred (ptp-loop).

Loop connects to either an FC-AL arbitrated loop or a fabric loop port (FL_Port) on a switch.

Point-to-point (ptp) connects to a direct fabric connection, such as an F port on a switch.

Loop-ptpallows the Diamond-VT to determine what kind of connection to use, but tries to connect in loop mode first, then point-to-point mode.

Ptp-loopallows the card to determine what kind of connection to use, but tries to connect in point-to- point mode first, then loop mode.

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ATTO Technology Inc. Diamond Storage Array Installation and Operation Manual