VMware Solutions Discussions

ESX attached to Netapp via FC

belislesm
2,669 Views

Hello,

We are looking to attache an ESX cluster to a 2050 cluster via FC.  Anyone have any good best practice pdf's for this that I can review?

2 REPLIES 2

amiller_1
2,669 Views

Hmm....you just need to look at your disk connectivity vs. fabric connectivity carefully.

The 2050 has (2) onboard FC ports which can be set as either initiator (to support external disk shelves) or target (for fabric connectivity). The 2050 also has (2) GigE ports onboard.

If doing a best-practice FC setup, you'll likely want to use the 2050 expansion slot for additional FC ports -- so you can have 2 FC ports for disk (preferably MPHA although not possible if you want both SATA and FC external disk) and 2 for fabric connectivity.

Having said all that, we don't often see customers using the 20x0 line for FC connectivity....just as FC infrastructure is expensive enough that most people who can afford it/have sufficient need for it also end up needing (and being able to afford) a 3140 system or higher.

sheastewart
2,669 Views

Hi,

Here are some guides that you may find useful:

http://media.netapp.com/documents/tr-3749.pdf - vSphere specific

http://media.netapp.com/documents/tr-3428.pdf - VI 3 Specific

http://now.netapp.com/knowledge/docs/san/fcp_iscsi_config/QuickRef/fc_iscsi_config_guide_73.pdf - NetApp block configuration guide (specific to ONTAP 7.3)

Most questions you have should be answered in one of the above documents.

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