Section 1

Introduction

1.1

How to Use this Guide

The SANblade QLogic host bus adapters (HBAs) supported in this document are described in the following paragraphs; they are collectively referred to as the QLA40xx HBA unless otherwise noted.

QLA4000 (single channel, full-height bracket, optical media)

QLA4000C (single channel, full-height bracket, copper media)

The QLA4000 HBA is 32/64-bit, 33/66-MHz iSCSI to Fibre Channel to optical media. The QLA4000C HBA is 32/64-bit, 33/66-MHz iSCSI to Fibre Channel to copper media.

This guide contains installation instructions for the hardware (QLA40xx HBA), supported software drivers, and the SANblade Control iX GUI. Install these components in the following order:

1.Install the QLA40xx HBA in your PC.

2.Install the software driver according to the directions in the appropriate section.

3.Install the SANblade Control iX GUI.

NOTE: If you are installing the QLA40xx HBA in Solaris SPARC system, install the Solaris driver before installing the QLA40xx HBA.

1.2

General Description

The QLA40xx is an iSCSI HBA that provides PCI connectivity to SCSI using iSCSI protocol. This release of the QLA40xx HBA implements draft 0.20 of the IETF iSCSI standard, which creates a new industry standard SAN technology based on internet protocols: TCP/IP. Updates to later iSCSI drafts will be available for downloads to the HBA. iSCSI enables new IP-based SANs, which are similar to Fibre Channel SANs, as well as a new set of storage applications, for example, remote storage.

The QLA40xx HBA implements the complete protocol stack, including TCP/IP, on the HBA and off-loads the host of any I/O protocol processing. Off-loading the host frees the system to perform other tasks and deliver optimum total system performance. The QLA40xx HBA handles complete SCSI transactions, iSCSI, TCP/IP, and Ethernet.

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Q-Logic 4000 SERIES manual Introduction, How to Use this Guide, General Description

4000 SERIES specifications

The Q-Logic 4000 Series represents a significant advancement in storage networking solutions, particularly designed to meet the high demands of modern data centers. As businesses continue to accumulate vast amounts of data, the need for efficient, high-performance storage solutions becomes more pronounced. This series shines in delivering flexibility, scalability, and high availability.

One of the standout features of the Q-Logic 4000 Series is its support for advanced protocols such as Fibre Channel and Ethernet. This versatile capability enables seamless integration within diverse environments, whether organizations are operating on traditional storage area networks (SANs) or transitioning to more cost-effective, high-speed Ethernet-based storage solutions. The flexibility in protocol support allows businesses to tailor their infrastructure to their specific needs without being tied to a single technology.

The Q-Logic 4000 Series also boasts a robust performance, featuring high IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second) capabilities that cater to I/O-intensive applications and large-scale virtualized environments. This efficiency is crucial for workloads such as database management, big data analytics, and mission-critical applications. Additionally, the series employs advanced technologies such as hardware offload and flow control mechanisms, resulting in reduced CPU usage and improved overall system performance.

High availability is another critical characteristic of the Q-Logic 4000 Series. The products are engineered with redundancy and failover mechanisms that ensure continuous operation, thereby reducing downtime and bolstering business continuity. Built-in features such as link aggregation and adaptive load balancing further enhance reliability and performance, allowing organizations to maintain optimal operations even amidst traffic fluctuations.

Scalability is a central theme in the design of the Q-Logic 4000 Series. The architecture supports linear scaling, enabling users to grow their networking capabilities in alignment with their expanding data needs. This characteristic is particularly beneficial for companies anticipating growth, as it allows them to invest in the system incrementally.

Security features within the Q-Logic 4000 Series also receive significant attention. The implementation of encryption technologies and secure access protocols ensures that sensitive data remains protected from unauthorized access and cyber threats.

In summary, the Q-Logic 4000 Series positions itself as a cutting-edge solution in the storage networking landscape, combining advanced technologies, high performance, and robust security features. Whether for a growing enterprise or an established data center, these products deliver a compelling solution for modern storage challenges.