Fabric-attach Fibre Channel networks

SAN infrastructures typically use a Fibre Channel switching solution involving several SAN switches that implement NPIV (N-Port ID Virtualization) technology. NPIV uses N-ports and F-ports to build a Fibre Channel SAN fabric. NPIV enables multiple N_Ports to connect to a switch through a single F_Port, so that a server can share a single physical port with other servers, but access only its associated storage on the SAN.

When you configure a fabric-attach Fibre Channel network, the port you choose for the uplink from the enclosure interconnect to the storage SAN must support NPIV (N_Port ID Virtualization).

You can use Virtual Connect Fibre Channel modules to connect storage. The appliance manages up to six Virtual Connect Fibre Channel modules in bays 3 through 8 of an enclosure. Virtual Connect Fibre Channel modules are not supported in bay 1 and bay 2.

Login redistribution

Login redistribution is used for login balancing when logins are not distributed evenly over the Fibre Channel links (for example, when an uplink that was down becomes available).

Auto

Login redistribution is initiated automatically when the link stability time expires.

Manual

Login redistribution must be initiated manually.

Link stability interval

The link stability interval is enabled when Login redistribution is set to Auto. The link stability interval is the time interval, in seconds, before Login redistribution occurs (when it is set to Auto).

The time in seconds that the module waits before reconnecting to a link that was previously offline (login redistribution). This interval prevents connection loss due to reconnecting to a link that is unstable (going online and offline repeatedly).

Data type:

A number from 1 to 1800, inclusive