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1 introduction, Features – HP 3Gb SAS Switch for HP BladeSystem c-Class User Manual

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1 Introduction

The HP StorageWorks 3Gb SAS BL Switch (3Gb SAS BL Switch) is a single-wide interconnect module
for HP BladeSystem c-Class enclosures that enables a server blade with a Smart Array P700m controller
to communicate with external SAS storage enclosures and tape devices. Its 3Gb SAS technology
delivers high performance, with high data bandwidth up to 300 MB/s per physical link, and is fully
compatible with 1.5G SATA technology. Both dual-port SAS and single-port SATA disk drive
interconnections are supported, offering deployment flexibility.

The 3Gb SAS BL Switch is a key component of HP Direct-Connect External SAS Storage for HP
BladeSystem Solutions. For more information on BladeSystem solutions, see the HP Direct-Connect
External SAS Storage for HP BladeSystem Solutions Deployment Guide
, available on the BladeSystem
Interconnects page of the HP Manuals website

http://www.hp.com/support/manuals

.

Features

Simplified management:

BladeSystem c-Class enclosures and their blade devices centralize control and reduce storage
management cost.

The HP Virtual SAS Manager application, used for zoning, is embedded in the switch firmware.

Enterprise-class performance:

The 3Gb SAS BL Switch is fully supported in the HP BladeSystem c-Class enclosure infrastructure
and is compatible with any combination of HP BladeSystem c-Class server blades.

An existing switch can be installed or replaced without having to power down the BladeSystem
enclosure.

Configuration and management is performed through the embedded Virtual SAS Manager (VSM)
utility. VSM offers both a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and a Command Line Interface (CLI).

High availability when using a pair of switches in the same interconnect row of the BladeSystem
c-Class enclosure:

The inclusion of a redundant switch along with redundant controllers, I/O modules, and the use
of dual-ported disk drives ensures that the system can tolerate a component or path failure and
maintain access to the storage.

Internal server networking connections to each switch in the pair provides redundant paths to tol-
erate a switch or port malfunction.

Redundant power supplies and redundant cooling fans within the c-Class enclosure.

Redundant firmware images and configuration settings on switch flash memory.

3Gb SAS BL Switch User Guide

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