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Cisco Prime Network 4.0 User Guide
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Chapter 26 Monitoring Data Center Configurations Viewing the Storage Area Network Support Details
Viewing the Storage Area Network Support Details
A storage area network (SAN) is a dedicated network that provides access to consolidated, bloc k level
data storage. SANs are primarily used to make storage devices, such as disk arrays, tape libraries, and
optical jukeboxes, accessible to servers so that the devices appear like locally attached devices to the
operating system. A SAN typically has its own network of storage devices that are g eneral ly not
accessible through the local area network by other devices.
A virtual storage area network (VSAN) is a collection of ports fr om a se t of con ne cted Fi bre Ch anne l
switches, that form a virtual fabric. Ports within a single switch can be partitioned into multiple VSANs,
despite sharing hardware resources. Conversely, multiple switches can join a number of ports to form a
single VSAN.
Most storage networks use the SCSI protocol for communication between servers and disk drive devices.
A mapping layer to other protocols is used to form a network.
In Prime Network, the following technologies are used for storage area networks:
• Fibre Channel (FC)—Fibre Channel is a high-speed network technology (c ommonly running at 2-,
4-, 8- and 16-gigabit speeds) primarily used for storage net worki ng. I t wa s p rima rily use d in the
supercomputer field, but has now become the standard connection t yp e for s to ra ge a rea ne twork s
(SAN) in enterprise storage. Fibre Channel can help with design of large-scale, storage-intensive
systems. It can also provide a solution that allows rapid storage and retrieval of information, while
simplifying the interconnection of different components in the system
• Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE)—Fibre Channel over Ethernet is an encapsulation of Fibre
Channel frames over Ethernet networks. This allows Fibre Channel to use 10 Gigabit Ethernet
networks (or higher speeds) while preserving the Fibre Channel protocol. It drastically reduces the
number of I/O adapters, cables, and switches in the data center, while providing a wire-once, agile
infrastructure. Based on lossless, reliable 10 Gigabit Ethernet, FCoE networks combine LAN and
multiple storage protocols on a single converged network.
These technologies are supported in the following devices:
• Nexus 5000
• Nexus 7000
• MDS
• UCS
Note The Cisco Fabric InterConnect UCS devices only supports the Fibre Channel over Etherne t technology.

Viewing the Storage Area Network Configuration Details

To view the VSAN configuration details:
Step 1 In Prime Network Vision, right-click the required device and choose the Inventory option.
Step 2 In the Inventory window, expand the Logical Inventory node.
Step 3 Select VSANs > VSAN service. The VSAN configuration details are displayed in the content pane as
shown in the Figure 26-14.