online help. Whether you have a single switch or a small fabric to manage, EFCM Basic capabilities and functional- ity can help simplify management of your SAN solution.

Pay-as-you-grow scalability

The FlexPort Expansion feature is designed to support scalable switch upgrades. The FlexPort feature provides an activation key and eight shortwave SFPs which upgrade the switch in eight-port increments while helping avoid fabric disruption. The ability to increase switch capacity while maintain- ing service helps customers implement a pay-as-you-grow strategy while mini- mizing impact to applications.

High performance

The SAN32M-2 switch provides 4 Gbps performance on all ports when paired with storage system hardware that sup- ports 4 Gbps throughput. Each port

auto-negotiates to 4, 2 Gbps or

1 Gbps, full duplex, depending on the capabilities of the attached device or switch. Up to 256 Gbps aggregate throughput is possible with 32-port configurations.

Network performance can be enhanced with the Open Trunking feature which automatically balances performance throughout a network while helping minimize storage administrators’ involvement. Open Trunking is designed to optimize the total throughput between two switches automatically by redirecting traffic from high-utilization links to links with available bandwidth. Open Trunking is designed to continu- ously monitor loads on all links, detect congestion and automatically balance traffic across available ISLs without operator interaction. Based on constant traffic monitoring, Open Trunking acts to help improve throughput and reroute traffic efficiently.

High-availability

Medium-sized and enterprise busi- nesses require high-availability switch fabric solutions. The SAN32M-2 fabric switch uses advanced application- specific integrated circuits (ASICs) to help minimize the number of internal components and thus improve reliability.

The SAN32M-2 switch is designed to provide hot-swappable, load-sharing dual power supplies designed to allow the switch to remain online if one power supply fails. Dual power cords allow attachment to separate power sources to help improve availability. Hot- swappable power supplies with inte- grated cooling components help elimi- nate downtime for service when replacing a failed component and help reduce or eliminate the risk of erro- neously cabling a replacement switch because of a simple component failure. Failed power supplies require IBM serv- ice or switch replacement and hot- pluggable optical transceivers can be replaced without taking the switch offline.

FlexPort technology is designed to support switch port upgrades without fabric disruption. In addition, HotCAT online code activation is designed to allow firmware to be downloaded and activated while the fabric switch remains operational. Redundant switches can be deployed for high- availability clustering applications.

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IBM SAN32M-2 manual Pay-as-you-grow scalability, High performance, High-availability
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SAN32M-2 specifications

The IBM SAN32M-2 is a high-performance, versatile storage area network (SAN) switch designed to provide enterprise-class connectivity and scalability for data center environments. It is part of IBM's extensive portfolio of storage networking solutions, and it excels in meeting the demands of modern storage infrastructures, ensuring seamless data flow, and providing robust management capabilities.

One of the standout features of the IBM SAN32M-2 is its impressive 32 Gbps Fibre Channel ports, which offer high bandwidth for data-intensive applications. This speed ensures that organizations can efficiently manage large volumes of data, accelerating application performance and improving overall system responsiveness. The switch can support up to 128 ports, allowing for a high degree of scalability, which is essential for growing data centers that require flexible expansion.

In addition to its high-speed capabilities, the IBM SAN32M-2 incorporates intelligent caching technologies that enhance data access times and reduce latency. The switch's advanced routing capabilities optimize the path for data packets, ensuring efficient communication among connected devices. The inclusion of features like dedicated management ports further enhances the ease of network management, allowing administrators to monitor and configure the switch without affecting data traffic.

Furthermore, the IBM SAN32M-2 features comprehensive security protocols, protecting critical data against unauthorized access. This is particularly important in environments that require strict compliance with regulations and industry standards. The switch also supports virtualization technologies, enabling organizations to maximize their existing resources and streamline workflows by integrating multiple virtual machines and storage devices seamlessly.

The ease of integration is another defining characteristic of the IBM SAN32M-2. It is designed to work with a wide array of storage solutions, ensuring compatibility with both IBM and third-party products. This flexibility allows businesses to customize their storage networks according to unique requirements without being locked into a specific vendor.

With robust support for advanced features such as SFP and SFP+ transceivers, the IBM SAN32M-2 is equipped to handle various bandwidth requirements. Its built-in diagnostics and monitoring tools simplify problem identification, reducing downtime and enhancing overall operational efficiency.

In conclusion, the IBM SAN32M-2 is a powerful SAN switch that combines high-speed performance, scalability, and advanced management features, making it an ideal choice for enterprises seeking to optimize their storage solutions while ensuring future-proof infrastructure. Its commitment to security, compatibility, and ease of management positions it as a critical component in the data centers of today and tomorrow.
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