Apple Xsan 1.1 - Manual (Page 23)

Chapter 2 Setting Up a Storage Area Network 23
Fabric Configuration
You must connect the computers, storage devices, and switches in your Fibre Channel
network to form a Fibre Channel “fabric.” In a fabric, Fibre Channel cables connect node
ports (F or N_Port). See the documentation that came with your Fibre Channel switches
for more information.
Note: If you are using a Vixel 355 switch, you must connect Xserve RAID systems to an
FL (arbitrated loop) port on the switch.
You cannot use Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop (FL ports) with an Xsan SAN, with the
exception noted above for Vixel 355 switches.
Ethernet TCP/IP Network
Computers in the SAN must also be connected to an Ethernet network. Xsan uses this
network instead of the Fibre Channel network to transfer file system metadata,
reserving the Fibre Channel connections for actual file contents.
If the computers in your SAN need to communicate with directory servers, a corporate
or campus intranet, or the Internet, you should connect each SAN client and controller
to two separate Ethernet networks: one private subnet for the SAN and a separate
connection for directory, intranet, or Internet traffic. This is important if you plan to use
the SAN for high-performance applications such as video editing.
IP Addresses and Domain Names
For best results, assign fixed, non-routed IP addresses to all clients, controllers, and
storage devices connected to the SAN Ethernet network. You can use the following
ranges of IP addresses in your private (non-routed) subnet:
Directory Services
If you plan to use user and group privileges to control access to files and folders on the
SAN, you can simplify management by setting up or joining a user and group directory.
Although not required, a central directory lets you manage users and groups on one
computer instead of having to visit all SAN clients and controllers.
If you already have a directory, you can use the Directory Access application on each
controller and client to access the directory for user and group information.
If you don’t use a central directory service, you need to set up users and groups on
each SAN computer.
Private address range Associated subnet mask Comments
10.0.0.0 – 10.255.255.255 255.0.0.0 10/8
172.16.0.0 – 172.31.255.255 255.240.0.0 172.16/12
192.168.0.0 – 192.168.255.255 255.255.0.0 192.168/16