IBM 200516B Network Switch Networking

The IBM TotalStorage® SAN16B-2 Express Model fabric switch is designed specifically to address the needs of small to medium-size SAN environments. It can be used to create a wide range of high performance SAN solutions, from simple single-switch configurations to larger multi-switch configurations which support fabric connectivity and advanced business continuity capabilities. Infrastructure simplification solutions for IBM System x™, System i™ and System p™ servers include storage consolidation and high-availability server clustering with IBM TotalStorage disk storage arrays. Business continuity solutions include data protection with IBM TotalStorage tape libraries and devices and IBM Tivoli® Storage Manager data protection software.

A single SAN16B-2 Express Model switch can serve as the cornerstone of a Storage Area Network for those who want to obtain the benefits of storage consolidation and are just beginning to implement Fibre Channel storage systems. Such an entry-level configuration can consist of one or two Fibre Channel links to a disk storage array or to an LTO tape drive. An entry-level eight-port storage consolidation solution can support up to seven servers with a single path to either disk or tape. The Ports on Demand feature is designed to enable a base switch to grow to sixteen ports to support more servers and more storage devices without taking the switch offline.

A high-availability solution can be created with redundant switches. This capability is ideal for server clustering environments. Such a configuration can support from six to fourteen servers, each with dual Fibre Channel adapters cross-connected to redundant SAN16B-2 Express Model switches which are cross-connected to a dual-controller storage system.

While the focus of the SAN16B-2 Express Model is as the foundation of small to medium-sized SANs, it can be configured to participate as a full member in an extended fabric configuration with other members of the IBM TotalStorage SAN b-type family. This capability helps provide investment protection as SAN requirements evolve and grow over time.