External path configurations - direct, switch, and extender

Recommendations for setting up direct, switch, and extender external path configurations.

Direct connection

This figure shows redundant paths in a direct connection configuration. External storage system ports, External port A and External port B, are connected to the local system ports, CL1-A and CL2-A. For greater redundancy, Path 2, the alternate path, uses ports of a different cluster in both the local and external storage systems.

The following table shows the maximum connection distance for Path 1 and Path 2.

Switch connection

This figure shows redundant paths with a switch. Ports in the local system are connected to ports in the external system through the switch. The paths use ports of different clusters for increased redundancy.

The following table shows the maximum connection distance for Path 1 and Path 2.

This figure shows paths through two switches. Ports in the local system are connected to ports in the external system through the switches. The paths use ports of different clusters for increased redundancy.

The following table shows the maximum connection distance for the segment of Path1 or Path2 between a local storage system and a switch, the segment between switches, and the segment between a switch and an external storage system. The table also shows the maximum connection distance for all of Path1 and Path2.

This figure shows an invalid configuration. Two paths are set between the internal and external volumes, but only one port is specified for the local storage system. The port is connected to ports in the external storage system through the switch. Because ports of two different clusters must be set in the local storage system, the following configuration is not recommended.

Extender connection

This figure shows paths through two extenders. Ports in the local system are connected to ports in the external system through the extenders. The paths use ports of different clusters for increased redundancy.

The following table shows the maximum connection distance for the path between the extenders.