Storage network layer

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Two Cisco MDS switches or directors make up separate fabrics to provide connectivity between the compute and storage layer.

The Cisco MDS model depends on the speed and total number of SAN ports that are required to support the compute and storage components. Connections from the storage components are over 16 Gbps connections. The number of storage connections varies depending on the storage platform and size.

Cisco UCS third-generation FIs provide an FC port channel with one of the following connections:

Eight 16 Gbps connections (128 Gbps bandwidth per fabric)
Twelve connections (192 Gbps)
Sixteen connections (256 Gbps)

Cisco UCS Fourth-Generation FIs provide an FC port channel with one of the following connections:

Four 16 Gbps connections (64 Gbps bandwidth per fabric)
Eight 16 Gbps connections (128 Gbps)
Four 32 Gbps connections (128 Gbps)
Eight 32 Gbps connections (256 Gbps)

The 32 Gbps connections require 32 Gbps SFPs and SAN.

Note: The Cisco MDS 9148S Multilayer Fabric Switch supports eight connections from the Cisco UCS domain and up to two domains.

The Cisco MDS switches provide:

FC connectivity between compute and storage layer components
Connectivity for backup and business continuity requirements (if configured)

Note: Inter-Switch Links (ISLs) to the external SAN or between switches are not permitted.

The following table shows SAN network layer components:

Component	Description
Cisco MDS 9148S Multilayer Fabric Switch	1U appliance that provides 24–48 line-rate ports for nonblocking, 16 Gbps throughput. The base license contains 12 ports per switch. One port on demand (POD) license per switch for 12 extra ports is required. Add POD licenses to increase the port count to 36 or 48 per switch.
Cisco MDS 9148T Multilayer Fabric Switch	1U appliance that provides 24–48 line-rate ports for nonblocking, 32 Gbps throughput. The base license contains 24 ports per switch. Add POD licenses to increase the port count to 32, 40, or 48 per switch.
Cisco MDS 9396S Multilayer Fabric Switch	2U appliance that provides 48–96 line-rate ports for nonblocking, 16 Gbps throughput. The base license contains 48 ports per switch. Add licenses to increase ports in increments of 12.
Cisco MDS 9396T Multilayer Fabric Switch	2U appliance that provides 48–96 line-rate ports for nonblocking, 32 Gbps throughput. The base license contains 48 ports per switch. Add licenses to increase ports in increments of 16.
Cisco MDS 9706 Multilayer Director	9U appliance that provides up to 12 Tbps front panel FC line rate nonblocking, system level switching. Consists of two 48-port line cards at line rate of 16 Gbps or 32 Gbps for all ports Add up to two 48-port line cards. Four fabric modules are included with all Cisco MDS 9706 Multilayer Directors for an N+1 configuration. Six fabric modules are included with all Cisco MDS 9706 Multilayer Directors with 32 Gbps line cards. Includes four PDUs and two supervisors
Cisco MDS 9710 Multilayer Director	14U appliance that provides up to 24 Tbps front panel FC line rate nonblocking, system level switching. Consists of two 48-port line cards at line rate of 16 Gbps or 32 Gbps for all ports Add up to six pairs of 48-port line cards. Four fabric modules are included with all Cisco MDS 9710 Multilayer Directors for an N+1 configuration. Six fabric modules are included with all Cisco MDS 9710 Multilayer Directors with 32 Gbps line cards. Two additional power supplies are included with all Cisco MDS 9710 Multilayer Directors.

Cisco MDS 9148S Multilayer Fabric Switch

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Storage network layer