Edge Switch 2/24 installation guide 13
1Switch features
The HP StorageWorks Edge Switch 2/24 provides dynamic switched connections between Fibre
Channel servers and devices in a storage area network (SAN) environment. SANs introduce the
concept of server-to-device networking and multi-switch fabrics, eliminate requirements for
dedicated connections, and enable the enterprise to become data centric.
A SAN provides speed, high capacity, and flexibility for the enterprise, and is primarily based upon
Fibre Channel architecture. The switch implements Fibre Channel technology that provides a
bandwidth of 2.125 Gbps, redundant switched data paths, a scalable number of active ports, and
long transmission distances.
This chapter describes the switch and attached HP StorageWorks HA-Fabric Manager appliance
(HAFM). The chapter specifically discusses:
• Edge Switch 2/24 description, page 13
• Switch management, page 18
• Operational features, page 20
• Optional kits, page 24
Edge Switch 2/24 description
The Edge Switch 2/24 provides Fibre Channel connectivity through 24 generic mixed ports
(GX_Ports). Switch ports can be configured as:
• Fabric ports (F_Ports) to provide direct connectivity for up to 24 switched fabric devices.
• Fabric loop ports (FL_Ports) to provide arbitrated loop connectivity and fabric attachment for
FC-AL devices. Each FL_Port can theoretically support the connection of 126 FC-AL devices.
• Expansion ports (E_Ports) to provide interswitch link (ISL) connectivity to fabric directors and
switches.
The switch, shown in Figure 1 on page 14, provides dynamic switched connections for servers and
devices, supports mainframe and open-systems interconnection (OSI) computing environments, and
provides data transmission and flow control between device node ports (N_Ports) as dictated by the
Fibre Channel Physical and Signaling Interface (FC-PH 4.3). Through interswitch links (ISLs), the
switch can connect additional switches to form a Fibre Channel multi-switch fabric.
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