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 The Denali switch is a three port switch
that can either function in stand-alone mode or in a cascaded mode with up
to 256 area switches "chained together". The primary configurations
addressed by Denali are:
- Physical separation of Fibre-Channel loops over long distances
- Extension of connectivity range for Fibre-Channel loop from 126 nodes
to over 32,000 nodes for building larger storage networks
- Network segmentation to allow support of concurrent applications on
multiple,interconnected Fibre-Channel loops
- Independent, per port connectivity for Fibre-Channel loop or
Fabric
The Denali switch plays an integral part in fully managed
Fibre-Channel networking solutions which enable the implementation of a
scaleable, gigabit speed data storage infrastructure known as a Storage
Area Network (SAN). Unlike the current server/storage model in which
server and storage are physically and logically bound, the SAN solution
creates a model in which server and storage are independent. This allows
server performance and storage capacity to be scaled more efficiently and
cost effectively than has been possible under the existing non-networked,
bus oriented model.
The Denali switch is a strategic
component for implementing the SAN environment. Denali provides a simple,
fully managed solution for segmenting the SAN as a way to increase the
bandwidth available to concurrent applications. Denali accomplishes this
by bringing switching technology into the SAN to support storage intensive
applications such as remote backup, data warehousing, multimedia Web
browsing and server clustering. The concept of deploying a switch based
solution as a means of increasing network bandwidth, although commonplace
for LAN implementation, now becomes cost effective for the SAN as well with
the Denali switch.
The Reflex port bypass feature ensures data reliability
and network continuity even if a port fails or becomes disconnected.
Functionally, Reflex detects a port failure or disconnection and
automatically bypasses the failed port. Reflex then automatically
reconfigures the loop to ensure uninterrupted network integrity between all
operating devices. Newly enables ports are also automatically detected and
registered onto the operating loop without causing disruption to
established data paths. |
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The Ventana™ Management
applications, originally introduced for management and control of the GBR Fibre-Channel hubs, now integrates with the
Denali Nomad™ agent to provide valuable
insight not only into the operation and status of the network
infrastructure components but also of the individual storage nodes and
devices. As such, the IS professional can identify and resolve issues
effecting end-to-end reliability and availability throughout the SAN.
Features
- Increases Scalability of Fibre-Channel Arbitrated Loop from 126 up to
32,000+ nodes
- Unique Fibre-Channel Switching Architect¨re Segments
Local and Remote Storage Applications for Improved Network Performance
- Provides Gateway Interface Between Fibre-Channel
Arbitrated Loop and Fabric Topologies
- Denali Nomad™ Management Agent Extends Ventana™
Management System Beyond the Hub and Out to Connected SCSI Storage Devices
and Enclosures
- Supports Multiple, Switched (full bandwidth) Connections
More Cost Effectively than Previously Available Switching Approaches
Specifications
- Number of Fibre-Channel Ports
- 3
- Bit Rate
- 2.215 Gigabit aggregate with 8b/10b encoding
- Data Throughput
- 200 MBYTE/SEC
- Node Addressing
- 126
- GBR-06: 6-port mixed copper or optical GBIC
- Configurability
- Ports self configure as: FL (Public Loop),
F (Fabric Loop), PLDA (Switched Private Loop), or E (Fabric Element)
- Connector Type
- Selectable for long wave or short wave
optical GBIC (Gigabit Interface Converter), or for copper GBIC
- Cascaded Configuration Limits
- Number of Units Cascadable: 256
- Port Addressing Range: 32,256 nodes
- Aggregate System Bandwidth
- 6 Gigabits
- Electrical Specifications
- AC Voltage: 100-240 VAC
- Power: 2A, 50-60 Hz
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