Chapter 1 Before Configuring SN 5428-2 Storage Router Software
FCIP Overview
Available Instances of Transparent SCSI Routing
When an SN 5428-2 Storage Router is deployed for transparent SCSI routing, it is automatically configured for one instance of transparent SCSI routing service; only that one instance can exist in that SN 5428-2.
While the instance of transparent SCSI routing needs to be configured with a Gigabit Ethernet IP address, mapping between iSCSI target names and physical storage addresses is automatic and cannot be configured.
When an SN 5428-2 is deployed for transparent SCSI routing, it cannot participate in a storage router cluster. However, multiple SN 5428-2s can be connected to an intelligent storage array, where it is possible to manage failover and multiple paths. In networks where multiple SN 5428-2 Storage Routers are connected to an intelligent storage array, each SN 5428-2 has one (and only one) instance of transparent SCSI routing; the instance is unique to that storage router and cannot fail over to another storage router.
FCIP Overview
Fibre Channel over IP (FCIP) enables SN 5428-2 Storage Routers to provide connectivity between FC hosts and FC storage devices over an IP network.
To deploy FCIP, two SN 5428-2 Storage Routers, or one SN 5482-2 Storage Router and one MDS 9000 Series system, are required. Each system is configured for FCIP and connected to a SAN (or to any FC host or FC device). The peer systems are connected to each other through an IP network. (See Figure 1-14.)
Figure 1-14 FCIP Overview | |
FC hosts and | | |
storage devices | SN 5428-2 | SN 5428-2 |
|
Peer SN 5428-2s deployed for FCIP provide connectivity between SANs over an IP network
FC hosts and
storage devices
SAN 2
91007
An FC host or FC device needs no additional hardware or software to access storage devices via an SN 5428-2 Storage Router deployed for FCIP.
To configure an SN 5428-2 Storage Router deployed for FCIP, you need a basic understanding of the following concepts:
Using FCIP to Route Fibre Channel Packets
With FCIP, peer systems transport FC frames over an IP network. From the perspective of the SANs, the storage devices accessed through the peer systems appear to be part of one unified SAN.
Cisco SN 5428-2 Storage Router Software Configuration Guide
