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All PowerStore models have the same connectivity options. The following figure shows these connectivity options as seen from the rear of the unit:
PowerStore node A is the bottom node, while PowerStore node B is the top node. Each node has one embedded module (red rectangles) with management and expansion ports and a four-port Mezzanine card for connections such as cluster interconnects. Each node has two additional slots for four-port I/O modules (green rectangles), slot 0 and slot 1.
PowerStore supports Ethernet connectivity through ports on the embedded module and on optional I/O modules. FC connectivity is supported through ports on optional I/O modules. On PowerStore 1000 through PowerStore 9200 models, the I/O module in slot 0 is 16-lane PCIe Gen3, while the I/O module in slot 1 is 8-lane. For this reason, if the system is configured with a 100 GbE I/O module, the module must be installed in slot 0. When installing an FC I/O module, always use I/O module slot 0 first unless the system contains a 100 GbE I/O module. Both I/O modules on PowerStore 500 models are 8-lane PCIe, and the 100 GbE I/O module is not supported on this platform.
PowerStore FC ports support speeds for 32 Gb/s, 16 Gb/s, 8 Gb/s, and 4 Gb/s. This speed depends on the SFP that is used and the switchport or HBA that is connected. Because higher speeds allow for greater MBPS and IOPS capabilities, use the highest speed that is supported by the environment. FC ports are available on I/O modules that are inserted into I/O module slots on the nodes. The FC I/O module is 16-lane PCIe Gen3. On PowerStore 1000 through 9200 models, I/O module slot 0 is also 16-lane, while I/O module slot 1 is 8-lane. If you install FC I/O modules in both I/O module slots, cable the ports in I/O module slot 0 first because of the PCIe difference. The PCIe lanes in I/O module slot 1 are a limiting factor only for total MBPS, and only when all four ports on the FC I/O module are operating at 32 Gb/s. Both I/O module slots on PowerStore 500 are 8-lane PCIe, and therefore there is no slot preference.
PowerStore optical Ethernet ports support speeds of up to 25 Gb/s based on the SFP that is used. Copper Ethernet ports support speeds of up to 10 Gb/s. Because higher speeds allow for greater MBPS and IOPS capabilities, use the highest speed that is supported by your environment. With PowerStoreOS 3.0, a new two-port Ethernet card has been introduced that supports speeds of up to 100 Gb/s. This 100 GbE card is supported on PowerStore 1000 to 9200 models in I/O module slot 0. Jumbo frames (MTU 9000) are recommended for increased network efficiency and must be supported on all parts of the network between PowerStore and the host.
To improve network performance and redundancy, use bonded ports for NAS connectivity. Prior to PowerStoreOS 3.0, NAS servers automatically created their interfaces on the two bonded ports on the embedded module four-port card. With PowerStoreOS 3.0, you can use user-defined link aggregations to reserve different physical ports for file access only. For highest performance and availability from any aggregated ports, configure link aggregation across the corresponding switch ports.