HP StorageWorks Enterprise Virtual Array 3000/5000 User Guide VCS 3.x (5697-5480, March 2006)

Fibre O ptic Fibr
e Channel cables
The Enterprise Virtual Array uses orange, 50-m, multi-mode, fiber optic cables for connection to the
SAN. The fi ber optic cable assembly consists of t wo, 2–m fiber optic strands and small form-factor
connectors on e
ach end. See Figure 13.
To ensure optim
um operation, the fiber optic cable components require protection from co ntamination
and mechanical hazards. Failure to p rovide this protection can cause degraded operation. Observe the
following precautions when using fiber optic cables.
• To avoid breaking the fiber within the cable:
•Donotkinkth
e cable
• Do not use a cable bend-radius of less than 30 mm (1.18 in)
• To avoid deforming, or possibly breaking the fiber within the cable, do not place heavy objects
on the cable
.
• To avoid contaminating the op tical connectors:
• Do not touch the connectors
•Neverleave
the connectors exposed to the a ir
• Install a dust cover on each transceiver and fiber cable connector when they are disconnected
If an open connector is exposed to dust, or there is any doubt about the cleanliness of the connector,
clean the c
onnector as described in Handling fi ber optic cables.
CXO7972
A
Figure 13 Fibre Optic Fibre Channel cable
Copper Fibre Channel cables
The Enterprise Virtual Array Fibre Channel 10000-Series implementation uses copper Fibre Channel
cables to connect the drive enclosures to each other, or to the loop switches and to the HSV controllers.
The cabl
es are available in 0.6–meter and 2.0–meter leng ths. Copper cables provide performance
compara
ble to fiber optic cables. Copper cable connectors differ from fiber optic sma ll form-factor
connectors (see Figure 14).
8164A-ST
Figure 14 Copper Fibre Channel cable
Fibre Channel disk drives
The Fibre Channel disk drives are hot-pluggable and include the following features:
• Dual-ported 2–Gbps Fibre Channel drive enclosure interface that allows up to 120 disk drives to
be supported p er Fibre Channel drive enclosure pair.
• Compact, direct-connect design for maximum storage density and increased reliability and
signal integrity.
• Both o n line high-performance disk drives and FATA d isk drives in a variety of capacities and
spindle speeds.
• Better vibration damping for improved per formance.
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