Chapter 7

Cabling a MetroCluster

About this chapter

This chapter contains instructions for cabling a new MetroCluster, both nonswitched and MetroClusters with QuickLoop, instructions for cabling a new Fabric Attached MetroCluster, and for converting an existing cluster into a MetroCluster. This chapter also describes hot swap error messages and gives procedures for replacing components in a MetroCluster.

Types of MetroClusters

The following list describes the MetroClusters types:

Fabric Attached MetroCluster--This is a clustered system where the local and partner nodes are separated by up to 30 kilometers. Each node and associated disk shelves are connected directly to a pair of switches and not to each other, like a traditional cluster. Communication with each other is through fiber optic cables and Brocade® Silkworm® 3200 or 3800 switches. This feature is new in Data ONTAP 6.4.1 software and is available only on F880 or F825 clustered systems for all newly installed MetroClusters over 500 meters.
Non-switched MetroCluster--This is a clustered system where the local and partner nodes are separated by between 30 and 500 meters, without Fibre Channel switches. This feature is supported on all F800 series clusters.
MetroClusters with QuickLoop--This is a clustered system where the local and partner nodes are separated by up to 10 kilometers and communicate with each other through fiber optic cables and Brocade Silkworm 3200 or 3800 switches. This feature is supported in Data ONTAP 6.3.1 software and later, and is available only on F880 or F825 clusters.

Topics in this chapter

This chapter discusses the following topics: