Q-Logic SN0135524-00 Benutzerhandbuch

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QL
OGIC
 S
WITCH
 I
NTEROPERABILITY
 G
UIDE
P
AGE
 1
V
ERSION
 1.0, M
ARCH
 2003
 
Introduction
The QLogic Switch Interoperability Guide provides the details needed to configure and deploy 
multi-vendor switched fabrics. Detailed switch configuration data and step-by-step configuration 
procedures are provided to merge QLogic switches into existing Brocade, Cisco, IBM, INRANGE, 
McDATA, and Sun Fibre Channel switched fabrics that comply with the second revision of the Fibre 
Channel switch standard (FC-SW-2).
FC-SW-2 is an open standard for switch-to-switch communication, allowing end users to choose 
best-in-class products with the assurance that these products can be deployed in multi-vendor 
storage area networks (SANs). Fibre Channel switches complying with this standard communicate 
connectivity and configuration information, path selection, and routing, as well as management 
and event services using the same language. FC-SW-2 also provides standardized mechanisms 
for SAN management. These applications can configure, manage, and monitor multi-vendor Fibre 
Channel SANs from any particular point in the fabric.
QLogic switches, along with switches from Brocade, Cisco, IBM, INRANGE, McDATA, and Sun 
can communicate across three specified FC-SW-2 levels, enabling end-users to deploy products 
that best suit their needs. 
Level 1 addresses switch connectivity and configuration by allowing Fibre Channel switches to 
interoperate at the link level and by enabling switches to be configured as part of physical and 
logical configurations (such as Zoning). Fabric Zones allow customers to partition their storage 
network based on application requirements and to create virtual private SANs within a larger SAN. 
Level 2 defines path selection and routing, which create interoperability at the operational level. 
The fabric shortest path first (FSPF) selection process, which is a key element of FC-SW-2, allows 
paths to be set up between end devices using multi-switch fabrics. This enables customers to 
design and implement Fibre Channel configurations based on their individual requirements. 
Level 3 specifies management and event services. These services allow Fibre Channel services 
to be implemented using a distributed model, increasing availability and scalability throughout the 
entire fabric. The Name Server and Management Server allow the physical and logical SAN 
topology to be discovered through upper-level SAN management applications, thereby facilitating 
resource management and capacity planning. Event services create the means for SAN 
administrators to be notified in case of configuration changes, allowing them to take appropriate 
action.