Fibre Channel Fabric
Unlike file system metadata, which controllers and clients exchange over Ethernet, file
content in an Xsan SAN is transferred over Fibre Channel connections (as is metadata
that controllers access on a volume). To set up the connections, you need:
An Apple Fibre Channel card for each client and controller computer
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A supported Fibre Channel switch
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Fibre Channel cables connecting computers and storage devices to the switches to
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form a Fibre Channel fabric
Fibre Channel PCI Cards
Install Apple Fibre Channel cards in all Macintosh computers that will connect to
the SAN.
Fibre Channel Switches
Fibre Channel switches from Brocade, Cisco, and QLogic have been tested with Xsan
and the Apple Fibre Channel PCI, PCI-X, and PCI-E cards.
For the latest information about qualified switches, see the Xsan webpage at
www.apple.com/xsan/.
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Chapter 2
Planning a Storage Area Network
Chapter 2
Planning a Storage Area Network
23
Fabric Configuration
You must connect the computers, storage devices, and switches in your Fibre Channel
network to form a Fibre Channel “fabric.” In a fabric, Fibre Channel cables connect node
ports (F or N_Port).
For more information about setting up your fabric, see the documentation that came
with your Fibre Channel switches.