Apple has certified certain companies' products to function properly in conjunction with the Xserve RAID. For a listing of these companies, please see
(www.apple.com/xserve/raid/certifications.html)
When using Fibre Channel switches or Fibre Channel hubs with Apple Fibre Channel Cards (HBAs) and Xserve RAIDs in a Storage Area Network (SAN) topology such as an Xsan deployment, or in a Network Area Storage (NAS) deployment, you may need to modify the port settings to ensure constant communication between devices on the fibre network. The port settings may vary depending on whether your using a Fibre Channel switch or a Fibre Channel hub. Also, the port settings may vary depending on whether the fibre switch or hub port will connect to an Apple Fibre Channel Card or to an Xserve RAID.
In fibre network terminology, hosts such as an Xserve or a Power Mac G5 workstation are known as initiators, and storage devices such as the Xserve RAID are known as targets.
Fibre Channel switches and hubs can either create a topology called FC-SW also referred to as a “fabric�? of they may create a topology called FC-AL also referred to as “arbitrated loop.�? Contact the manufacturer of your switch to determine which topology your switch creates.
When a device joins or leaves the Fibre Channel arbitrated loop, a Loop Initialization Process (LIP) is communicated across the fibre network to notify targets and initiators that a device has joined or left the arbitrated loop. The LIP communication will cause a temporary halt of communication on the fibre network. In order to avoid disruptions in Fibre Channel communications, it is necessary to configure your switch or hub in such a way as to prevent Initiators from receiving the LIPs.
When using Arbitrated Loop switches or hubs with Apple Fibre Channel Cards (HBAs) and Xserve RAIDs you may need to modify the switch/hub port settings to ensure constant communication between devices on the arbitrated loop. The fibre hub port settings will vary depending on whether the fibre switch/hub port will connect to an Apple Fibre Channel Card or to an Xserve RAID. On typical Fibre Channel switches/hubs, one may set port property setting to acknowledge LIPs or to not acknowledge LIPs.
If the Fibre Channel switch/hub port is connected to an Apple Fibre Channel Card, set the port property settings to not acknowledge LIPs.
If the Fibre Channel switch/hub port is connected to an Xserve RAID, set the port property settings to acknowledge LIPs.
For all other Fibre Channel switch/hub port connections, consult the manufacturer of the switch/hub.
For instructions on how to change port property settings, please consult the hub manufacturer.
Consult the manufacturer of the switch to verify that a supported version of firmware is installed on the switch.
Important: If your Initiators are nodes in a High Performance Computing Cluster, they may rely on LIPs for proper functionality.
When a device joins or leaves the Fibre Channel fabric, a Registered State Change Notification (RSCN) is communicated across the fibre network to notify targets and initiators that a device has joined or left the fabric. The RSCN communication will cause a temporary halt of communication on the fibre network. In order to avoid disruptions in Fibre Channel communications, it is necessary to configure your switch in such a way as to prevent Initiators from receiving the RSCNs.
When using fibre switches with Apple Fibre Channel Cards (HBAs) and Xserve RAIDs you may need to modify the port settings to ensure constant communication between devices on the fabric. The fibre switch port settings will vary depending on whether the fibre switch port will connect to an Apple Fibre Channel Card or to an Xserve RAID. On typical Fibre Channel switches, one may set port property setting to acknowledge RSCNs or to not acknowledge RSCNs.
If the Fibre Channel switch port is connected to an Apple Fibre Channel Card, set the port property settings to not acknowledge RSCNs.
If the Fibre Channel switch port is connected to an Xserve RAID, set the port property settings to acknowledge RSCNs.
For all other Fibre Channel switch port connections, consult the manufacturer of the switch.
For instructions on how to change port property settings, please consult the switch manufacturer.
Consult the manufacturer of the switch to verify that a supported version of firmware is installed on the switch.
Important: If your Initiators are nodes in a High Performance Computing Cluster, they may rely on RSCNs for proper functionality.
Important: Information about products not manufactured by Apple is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute Apple's recommendation or endorsement. Please contact the vendor for additional information.