Brocade Communications Systems 53-0001575-01 manual Extended Fabric Example

SAN Design: March 29, 2001 3:18 pm

2.5TWO SWITC H FA BRIC FOR MIRRORING AN D DIS ASTER TOLER ANCE

FIGURE 5. Extended Fabric Example

H H

SW 10 KM SW

DD

Local Site	Remote Site
Primary Compute Site	Activated when
	primary site fails

•Sample configuration showing only two hosts and two storage devices, larger configurations can be deployed

•This example shows how data being used at the local site can be mirrored at a remote site via an extended fabric link. Primary system data is replicated at remote site where a backup failover system is located. Primary system disk information is mirrored to remote site that can be 10KM distance with standard FC components (Long Wave Length GBICs). Extended distances (20 to 120 KM possible) using optical extender devices or DWDM devices.

•Starting with Fabric OS version 2.1.1, optional software to support extended fabric is available. This allows increase in buffer-to-buffer credits on E-ports to allow for maximum performance on links extended over long distances. This option recommended when extended beyond 40KM.

•Mirroring across the link is accomplished by use of host based mirroring software or by storage based mirroring options.

•Note: this configuration does not show a highly available solution, there are single points of failure -- it points out the concept of remotely mirroring data for disaster tolerance; other more highly available architected solutions are possible at both sites.

•Alternative designs are possible where both sites mirror to each other; sites can also consist of multi-switch fabrics connected over an extended link

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