HP P4459A User Manual

HP P4459A 8-Port Fibre Loop Switch

Installation & Operation Guide

HP Part Number 5971-0861

Printed in February 2001

Notice

The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.

Hewlett-Packard makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.

Hewlett-Packard shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.

Hewlett-Packard assumes no responsibility for the use or reliability of its software on equipment that is not furnished by Hewlett-Packard.

This document contains proprietary information that is protected by copyright. All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be photocopied, reproduced, or translated to another language without the prior written consent of Hewlett-Packard Company.

Audience Assumptions

This Installation and Configuration Guide is for the person who installs, administers, and troubleshoots LAN servers. Hewlett-Packard Company assumes you are qualified in the servicing of computer equipment and trained in recognizing hazards in products with hazardous energy levels.

HP P4459A 8-Port Fibre Loop Switch Installation & Operation Guide

Safety Instructions

The following sections describe the symbols used on the fibre loop switch and within this guide and also provides safety information about the product:

• Symbols Used on Equipment

• Symbols in Text

• Grounding Requirements

Symbols Used on Equipment

The following table describes the symbols that are used on the fibre loop switch.

Any surface of area of the equipment marked with these symbols indicates the presence of electrical shock hazards. Enclosed area contains no operator serviceable parts.

Warning: To reduce risk of injury from electrical shock hazards, do no open this enclosure.

This product is a safety Class I product which has a protective earthing terminal. There must be an uninterrupted safety earth ground from the main power source to the product’s input wiring terminal, power cord(s), or supplied power cord set(s). Whenever it is likely that the protection has been impaired, disconnect the power cord(s) until the ground has been restored.

APPARATEN SKALL ANSLUTAS TILL JORDAT NÄTTUTAG.

iii

HP P4459A 8-Port Fibre Loop Switch Installation & Operation Guide

Symbols in Text

The following symbols are used in the following formats to highlight special messages throughout this guide:

Note: This format is used to highlight information of importance or

special interest.

Caution: This format is used to highlight information that will help you prevent

equipment failure or loss of data.

Warning: This format is used to highlight material involving possibility of

injury or equipment damage.

Danger: This format is used to alert you that you can incur an electrical shock

by mishandling equipment.

APPARATEN SKALL ANSLUTAS TILL JORDAT NÄTTUTAG.

Contents ..........................................................................................................................v

Preface ...........................................................................................................................vii

Related Publications .............................................................................................. vii

Related Web Sites ................................................................................................ viii

Chapter 1: Introducing the HP P4459A 8-Port Fibre Loop Switch ............................1

Fibre Loop Switch Features ....................................................................................1

GBIC Ports .....................................................................................................1

Front Panel LEDs ...........................................................................................2

Switching Operation ................................................................................................4

Fibre Channel Arbitration in the Fibre Loop Switch .......................................5

Fibre Loop Switch Initialization ......................................................................6

Chapter 2: Installing the Fibre Loop Switch ................................................................9

Unpacking the Fibre Loop Switch ............................................................................9

Installing and Removing GBICs in the Fibre Loop Switch .....................................10

Installing a GBIC ..........................................................................................10

Removing a GBIC ........................................................................................11

Rack Mounting the Fibre Loop Switch ...................................................................12

Rack Installation ...........................................................................................12

Powering up a System ..........................................................................................29

Cabling for the Fibre Loop Switch .........................................................................29

Chapter 3: Fibre Loop Switch Troubleshooting .......................................................31

General Maintenance Considerations ...................................................................31

Troubleshooting the Switch ...................................................................................32

Reading the LED Indicators .........................................................................32

Reset Button ..........................................................................................................34

Connections ..........................................................................................................34

Fibre Channel Cables ..................................................................................35

Temperature Control .............................................................................................35

Fans .............................................................................................................35

Filler Panel ...................................................................................................35

HP P4459A 8-Port Fibre Loop Switch Installation & Operation Guide

Appendix A: Fibre Loop Switch Functional Specifications ......................................37

Switching ...............................................................................................................37

Physical Specifications ..........................................................................................37

Environmental Specifications ................................................................................37

Electrical Specifications .........................................................................................38

LED Specifications ................................................................................................38

Fibre Channel Communications ............................................................................38

Regulatory Certification .........................................................................................38

Appendix B: Regulatory Information ..........................................................................41

Regulatory Notices ................................................................................................41

Electromagnetic Compliance .......................................................................41

Regulatory Notices - Product Safety ............................................................46

Appendix C: Warranty and Support ............................................................................49

Hardware Accessories Limited Warranty ..............................................................49

Hewlett-Packard Hardware Accessories ......................................................49

Third-Party Hardware Products ...................................................................50

HP Repair and Telephone Support .......................................................................50

U.S. and Canada .........................................................................................50

Other Countries ............................................................................................50

World Wide Web ...................................................................................................51

Glossary .........................................................................................................................53

The fibre loop switch provides an affordable entry-level SAN switch with multiple connectivity options. This guide provides information about the features and capabilities of the fibre loop switch, and how to install it.

Related Publications

The following publications provide information regarding Storage Area Networks (SANs) and the Fibre Channel protocol.

Building Storage Networks, Farley, Marc, Osborne/McGraw-Hill, 2000. ISBN 0-07-212-050-9.

Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop, Kembel, Robert W., Tucson, Arizona: Connectivity Solutions, a division of Northwest Learning Associates, Inc., 1996. To order, call 1-520-881-0877 in the USA.

Preface

Fibre Channel - Gigabit Communications and I/O For Computer Networks, Benner, Alan F., McGraw-Hill, 1996.

Fibre Channel, Volume 1: the Basics, Jan Dedek and Gary Stephens, ANCOT Corporation, 115 Constitution Drive, Menlo Park, CA 94025, 1997.

The Simple Book, An Introduction to Management of TCP/IP-based Internets, Marshall T. Rose, Prentice Hall, 1992.

What Is Fibre Channel? Jan Dedek and Gary Stephens, ANCOT Corporation, 115 Constitution Drive, Menlo Park, CA 94025, November 1996.

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HP P4459A 8-Port Fibre Loop Switch Installation & Operation Guide

Related Web Sites

These web sites, among others, provide significant information regarding SANs and the Fibre Channel protocol.

Table 1: Related Websites

Site URL

ANSI http://www.ansi.org/docs/home.html

Fibre Channel Industry Association http://www.fibrechannel.com/

Storage Network Industry Association http://www.snia.org/

viii

Introducing the HP P4459A

8-Port Fibre Loop Switch

The following sections of this chapter provide an overview of the features and functions of the fibre loop switch:

• Fibre Loop Switch Features

• Switching Operation

Fibre Loop Switch Features

The fibre loop switch features an integral 12Gb/sec. engine that enables full duplex, concurrent switching on all ports.

Chapter 1

Additional features of the fibre loop switch are described in the following sections:

• GBIC Ports

• Front Panel LEDs

GBIC Ports

The fibre loop switch is designed for maximum flexibility. It contains eight GBIC ports that can be configured to support copper, short-wave multimode fiber, and long-wave single mode fiber media connections. Because each of these media options provide different price/performance characteristics, you can mix and match GBICs to meet the needs of your storage network now, and add or exchange GBICs in the future as your network changes.

HP P4459A 8-Port Fibre Loop Switch Installation & Operation Guide

Figure 1: Front View of the Fibre Loop Switch

GBIC Ports

Switch Status LEDs

Power Connector

Front Panel LEDs

In addition to the port connectors, the front panel of the fibre loop switch contains LEDs that provide diagnostic information for both switch and port status, and an IEC power plug connector. Figure 2 shows the locations of the LEDs and the power plug connector.

Introducing the HP P4459A 8-Port Fibre Loop Switch

Figure 2: Fibre Loop Switch front panel

Power Plug Connector

Switch Status LEDs

Port Status LEDs

Table 1 describes the operation of the switch LEDs and Table 2 describes the operation of the port LEDs on the front panel of the fibre loop switch.

Table 1: Fibre Loop Switch LEDs

Name Color Function

fault Amber Indicates that the switch is running a self-test during start-up, or a failure

occurred.

power Green Indicates that power is on to the switch.

Table 2: Port LEDs

Name Color Function

Link Green Indicates that a good physical link has been established.

Fault Amber Indicates that faulty data is being received on the port.

HP P4459A 8-Port Fibre Loop Switch Installation & Operation Guide

Switching Operation

The fibre loop switch implements the Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop protocol. It provides concurrent connections to the storage area network (SAN) without changing the FC-AL interface, which most SAN end-node devices normally communicate.

The SAN operation changes dramatically when comparing a switch with a hub environment. The normal operation, as seen by a single end-node device, does not change, other than a rapid acceleration of responses in a switch environment. Figure 3 illustrates how the fibre loop switch alters the response speed without changing the nature of the responses seen by a participating node.

Figure 3: Switching Using Fibre Channel Protocol

The fibre loop switch maintains signal and data integrity by re-timing and re-amplifying the signal at each port. The data-path routing, however, is significantly different in the switch than with a hub.

As shown on the top of Figure 3, a Fibre Channel network has a physical loop structure. All traffic must go through all nodes. Since the physical media is shared by all nodes, the bandwidth must be partitioned between any nodes that

Introducing the HP P4459A 8-Port Fibre Loop Switch

wish to communicate. The addition of a hub, as shown in the center of the same figure, merely allows the cables from each node to go to a centralized location, such as a wiring closet where the hub is located. The media and bandwidth on that port are shared.

The fibre loop switch has been designed with a non-blocking switch backplane; there is enough switch matrix bandwidth available to support simultaneous conversations between many nodes. The fibre loop switch helps reduce the time arbitration and loop initialization required in an active FC network. The fibre loop switch also supports an initialization agent called P4459A Name Server. These features are explained in the following sections:

• Fibre Channel Arbitration in the Fibre Loop Switch

• Fibre Loop Switch Initialization

Fibre Channel Arbitration in the Fibre Loop Switch

Normal Fibre Channel data traffic operation is constrained by loop tenancies. A loop tenancy is the time required for a complete data transfer. An FC node wanting to send data starts a loop tenancy by arbitrating for ownership of the loop. Upon winning arbitration, the device wanting to send data opens a communication channel to its intended destination. When the destination device responds that it has available buffer space, the sender sends data until it is finished. After the data transfer is complete, the sender closes the loop tenancy.

An example: node C wants to send data to node A. The first step is that node C issues an arbitrate message. In a physical or hub-based Fibre Channel network topology, the arbitrate message has to circulate through nodes D, A, and B. Any of those nodes are capable of replacing C’s arbitrate message with its own higher-priority message, resulting in node C losing arbitration. Thus, any of the other nodes wanting to communicate interfere even though neither node A or C are involved with their activity.

In the switch implementation, however, node C always wins arbitration. The only issue is whether node A is already active with a third node. If it is, node C has to wait, but the wait is only for as long as node A remains active. Three different scenarios are explained below:

HP P4459A 8-Port Fibre Loop Switch Installation & Operation Guide

• If node A is free, node C’s data is forwarded directly to node A without interference. That is, the messages do not circulate through each device on the loop and so latency savings on this transaction are also gained. Note that all transactions are directed between the two communicating nodes. No traffic ever circulates the entire network as it would in a loop topology.

• If node A is busy with another loop tenancy, the open message from node C is held until that loop tenancy is completed. Holding the open message until node A is free sounds extreme until one considers the latency around a normal loop operation with a high number of nodes. The time just for one open message to circulate around a large loop (greater than 60 nodes) and get back buffer credit is actually greater than the completion of an entire loop tenancy transferring a single maximum frame across the switch. The relative time difference is on the order of a magnitude (tens of microseconds vs. tens of milliseconds).

• If A is busy and B, C, and D all simultaneously want to send data to A, a first-come, first-serve algorithm is enforced. This enforcement is realized due to the prioritized queueing of open messages at the destination. If the queue is greater than a programmable value, the switch responds with a close message to all subsequent open requests from other nodes.

Fibre Loop Switch Initialization

The initialization behavior of the fibre loop switch is encompassed within an intelligent agent referred to as P4459A Name Server. P4459A Name Server virtualizes the entire initialization process and eliminates the lengthy login procedure found on other switches.

In a hub-based Fibre Channel network, any device generates Loop Initialization Protocol (LIP) messages to notify the other devices on the loop that initialization needs to occur. During the LIP process, each port in turn receives the LIP sequence and retransmits the LIP. This process continues until the LIP sequence returns to the initiating port. Since port addresses are assigned during the LIP process, no “real” work is performed on the loop while it is underway. Therefore, it is wise to have a measure of visibility and control over LIP generation. This is the advantage of P4459A Name Server. It limits the effects of a LIP on other devices in the network.

Generally, a new node requires some period of time to become ready to participate on the network. The switch does nothing until the end node signals

Introducing the HP P4459A 8-Port Fibre Loop Switch

that it is ready to participate by sending a LIP. Obviously, this interrupts any traffic in progress on that switch port, or on another switch port that is involved in a connection with a device on that switch port. However, it need not disrupt communications on any other switch port. Upon receiving a LIP, the switch conducts a series of passive tests on the new node, to verify that it is wellbehaved.

HP P4459A 8-Port Fibre Loop Switch Installation & Operation Guide

Chapter 2

Installing the Fibre Loop Switch

The following sections of this chapter provide detailed instructions for installing a fibre loop switch:

• Unpacking the Fibre Loop Switch

• Installing and Removing GBICs in the Fibre Loop Switch

• Rack Mounting the Fibre Loop Switch

• Powering up a System

• Cabling for the Fibre Loop Switch

Note: Only trained personnel should install a loop switch. Please read all

instructions fully before performing the installation.

Unpacking the Fibre Loop Switch

The fibre loop switch comes packed in a single, integrated shipping box. Retain the box to reship the switch if necessary. Included are the following items:

• A fibre loop switch

•This HP P4459A 8-Port Fibre Loop Switch Installation & Operation Guide

• Two power cords

• Two HSSDC copper GBICs

• An HSSDC cable

• A rack mount kit

If any parts are missing, contact your sales or service representative.

HP P4459A 8-Port Fibre Loop Switch Installation & Operation Guide

Installing and Removing GBICs in the Fibre Loop Switch

Each port that you plan on using on the fibre loop switch must be configured with an HP-supported GBIC to provide media connectivity. Depending on the GBIC installed, connectivity options include copper and short-wave multi-mode fiber. Because each switch port can be configured with any GBIC, you can configure your switch for a variety of different media options to support your fibre channel architecture.

Note: GBICs are hot-pluggable. This means that they can be installed and

removed during operation, while the switch is running.

The following sections describe:

• Installing a GBIC

• Removing a GBIC

Installing a GBIC

The following procedure describes how to install a GBIC into a switch port.

Caution: GBICs are sensitive to static electricity. Static discharge from your

clothing or other fixtures around you can cause damage. To prevent damage to the GBIC, wear a wrist strap or discharge leash to free yourself of static before touching it.

1. Holding it by its edges, remove the GBIC you are installing from its

antistatic bag.

2. Orient the GBIC in relation to the port you are installing it in so that

the label side (or arrow) is on top.

If your GBIC doesn’t have a label or an arrow to help you orient it, examine the D connector on it. The wider side of the D-connector should be on top. Figure 4 shows the orientation for installing a GBIC into a switch port.

Figure 4: GBIC Orientation

D-connector

Installing the Fibre Loop Switch

Guide tab

3. Slide the GBIC through the port door and plug it into the 20-pin

connector (not visible) on the host circuit board until it is firmly seated.

If the GBIC does not install easily into the port, do not force it. Instead, try removing it and inverting the GBIC’s orientation.

Warning: Do not look directly for the GBIC laser source. Laser beams can be

harmful to your eyes.

4. If you are not going to install cabling immediately, leave the supplied

protective plug in place.

The protective plug is used to shield the laser from view and to protect the optical components from dust.

5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 for all GBICs that you want to install.

Removing a GBIC

The following procedure describes how to remove a GBIC:

1. Remove any cables attached to the GBIC.

Stressing the cable during GBIC removal might break it.

Key

Guide tab

HP P4459A 8-Port Fibre Loop Switch Installation & Operation Guide

2. Squeeze the latch levers (on the GBIC) together and pull the GBIC

straight out.

Note: GBIC latching mechanisms vary by manufacturer.

Rack Mounting the Fibre Loop Switch

The following sections provide information and procedures on how to rack mount the fibre loop switch.

Warning: Reduce your risk of electric shock or damage to equipment by

following these precautions:

• Do not disable the power cord grounding plug. The grounding plug is an important safety feature.

• Plug the power cord into an easily accessible, grounded electrical outlet. Because there is no power switch, you can turn power on and off by plugging in and disconnecting the power cord.

• Disconnect the power from the unit by unplugging the power cord from either the electrical outlet or from the detachable plug on the unit.

Rack Installation

The fibre loop switch is designed to mount into a standard 19-inch rack up to 36 inches deep. Refer to the instructions included in the rack mount kit before attempting to mount the fibre loop switch. Only trained personnel should install the rack mount kit. Please read all instructions before installing the rails and sleeves.

Caution: The air vents along the side and back panel of the fibre loop switch

must not be blocked when installed. The operating temperature must be kept between 10 and 40 degrees Celsius (between 50 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit).

Rack Installation Basics

Caution: Do the following to prevent the rack enclosure from tipping

over. Failure to take these precautions could result in serious injury and equipment damage.

• Extend the anti-tip foot, or verify that the anti-tip feature is installed.

• Verify that the leveler feet are lowered.

• Do NOT extend more than one piece of equipment at a time out from the front of the rack.

Always keep the following safety and environmental issues in mind:

• Maximum Recommended Ambient Temperature: The maximum recommended ambient temperature of the room is 35°C (95°F).

• Elevated Operating Ambient Temperature: The ambient operating temperature within a closed or multi-unit rack assembly may exceed the room’s ambient temperature. Make sure that the temperature within the rack itself does not exceed 35°C (95°F).

• Air Flow: As you mount equipment in the rack, make sure that you allow enough air flow for safe operation of the equipment.

Installing the Fibre Loop Switch

• Mechanical Loading: Uneven mechanical loading within the rack can cause hazardous conditions. Plan the placement of equipment in the rack to avoid this problem.

• Circuit Overloading: Make sure that the total configuration of equipment in the rack does not overload the supply circuit. To verify this, check the nameplate ratings on all equipment. Consider the effect of circuit overloading on over-current protection and supply wiring.

• Reliable Earthing (Grounding): Maintain reliable earthing (grounding) of rack-mounted equipment. Give particular attention to supply connections that are not direct connections to the branch circuit (the use of power strips, for example).

• Installation Order: Begin installing components at the bottom of the rack.

Rack Installation Overview

The instructions in this guide are specifically for Hewlett-Packard rack enclosure product numbers J1464A, J1466A, J1487B, J1488A, J1500A, J1501A, and J1502A. For information about other rack installations, see the rack-mount kit

HP P4459A 8-Port Fibre Loop Switch Installation & Operation Guide

instructions that come with your rack or HP NetServer, or refer to the following web site:

http://www.hp.com/racksolutions

Note: The installation instructions that follow use “left” and “right” to refer to rack columns as viewed from the rear of the rack.

Figure 5 and Figure 6 present a visual summary of the switch’s rack-mounting hardware.

Figure 5: Mounting in HP Systems Racks

Left Front Rack Column

Left Rear Rack Column

Right Front Rack Column

Sleeves

Right Rear Rack Column

Switch

Rails

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