Installing a DAE2

Requirements

 

This section explains site and cabling requirements.

 

 

Site Requirements

For proper operation, the installation site must conform to certain

 

environmental specifications. These are detailed below and in

 

Appendix A.

Power

To determine a DAE2’s worst case power requirements, use the

 

power rating on the enclosure label. This rating is the maximum

 

power required for a fully loaded enclosure. The amount of internally

 

regulated power that a maximum configuration requires from the

 

power supplies and cooling system determines the values for input

 

current, power (VA), and dissipation per disk enclosure. Typical

 

values will be less depending on the number, manufacturer, and type

 

(FC or ATA) of disk drives. These values represent the sum of the

 

values shared by the line cords of two power supplies in the same

 

enclosure. Power cords and supplies share the power load evenly. If

 

one of the two power supplies fails, the remaining supply and cord

 

support the full load. You must use a rackmount cabinet with ac

 

power distribution, and have main branch ac distribution that can

 

handle these values for the number of disk enclosures that you will

 

interconnect.

Cooling

The temperature at the front bezel inlet must meet the ambient

 

temperature specification described in Appendix A. The site must

 

have air conditioning that can maintain the specified ambient

 

temperature range. The air conditioning must be able to handle the

 

BTU requirements of the DAE2 disk enclosures.

 

 

Cabling

The DAE2 supports copper cable for a Fibre Channel connection to

Requirements

another Fibre Channel device (for example, a storage processor or

 

another DAE2).

 

Any copper cables you use must meet the appropriate standards for

 

2-Gbit FC-AL. Such cables are fully shielded, twin-axial, full-duplex

 

cables with High Speed Serial Data Connector (HSSDC) connectors.

 

Distances greater than 1 meter require equalized cables; unequalized

 

one-meter cables are adequate. The DAE2 does not support cables

 

shorter than 1 meter or longer than 10 meters.

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2-Gigabit Disk-Array Enclosure (DAE2) Hardware Reference

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EMC FC, ATA manual Site Requirements, Cabling

FC, ATA specifications

EMC ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment) and FC (Fibre Channel) are two significant technologies in storage networking that enhance data management and access in enterprise environments.

EMC ATA, often associated with ATA storage devices, offers a cost-effective solution for managing large volumes of data. Shipments of ATA drives have become increasingly popular in the realm of consumer electronics due to their affordability and capacity. EMC utilizes ATA drives in various storage solutions, primarily focusing on performance and reliability. These drives handle particular workloads effectively, making them suitable for environments that require mass data storage, such as digital media and backup solutions.

In terms of key features, EMC ATA solutions provide high capacity, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. They are designed to manage routine data storage tasks with ease. These storage devices utilize interfaces that provide straightforward integration with various computer systems. Additionally, EMC ATA solutions come with error detection features and are generally simple to deploy, which is beneficial for teams seeking efficiency without an extensive learning curve.

On the other hand, Fibre Channel (FC) is a high-speed network technology primarily used for interconnecting storage area networks (SANs). Its robust architecture allows for high-speed data transfer rates, typically ranging from 2 Gbps up to 128 Gbps in contemporary systems. The strengths of FC lie in its ability to provide low-latency communications and its reliability in handling large volumes of data traffic.

Fibre Channel's main characteristics include its ability to support multiple protocols, such as SCSI and IP. This compatibility makes it a flexible choice for various storage solutions, especially in large-scale enterprise environments. Additionally, FC switches and directors enable the creation of complex SAN architectures, which can be both scalable and high-performing.

Furthermore, FC ensures data integrity through features such as error correction and data recovery mechanisms, making it an ideal choice for mission-critical applications. Secure connectivity is also a fundamental aspect of Fibre Channel technology, as it continuously secures data as it flows through the network.

Combining the strengths of EMC ATA's cost-effectiveness in bulk storage and the high-performance capabilities of Fibre Channel, organizations can achieve a balanced storage solution tailored to their operational needs. As data storage demands continue to grow, these technologies remain relevant, supporting both traditional and cutting-edge applications in enterprise IT environments.