Capellix 3000 Modular SAN Switch

Overview

Capellix Chassis Switch

Gadzoox® Networks, the market leader in storage area networks (SAN) solutions, introduces the first modular switch for the SAN market, the Capellix™ 3000 modular SAN switch. The Capellix 3000 is a modular platform designed to satisfy the evolving requirements of mission-critical SAN environments. The Capellix 3000 enables the construction of a robust, end-to-end SAN solution through its unmatched flexibility, scalability and ease-of-use.

Features

  • 28 Gbps switch engine
  • 3 slot chassis
  • Scalable from 6 to 32 ports
  • GBIC, DB-9, HSSDC and Dual SC connectivity options
  • Fibre Channel Fabric and Arbitrated Loop Supported
  • Remote connectivity to 80Km
  • Redundant, hot-swappable power supply and fan assembly option
  • Reflex™ II Name Server with intelligent state change notification
  • Ventana SANtools management
  • Connectivity to network and storage management frameworks.
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Capellix 3000: Enabling the SAN Evolution

The deployment of SANs has rapidly extended beyond the direct replacement of SCSI with Fibre Channel. As more servers, operating systems, storage subsystems and software applications become Fibre Channel enabled, SANs become the critical element required to successfully manage the quickly growing data management needs of today's enterprise organizations.

The SAN infrastructure must provide a level of scalability that keeps pace with the evolving requirements of the storage market. The Capellix 3000 offers an unsurpassed level of flexibility and modularity to meet the requirements for a wide range of SAN applications.

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Scalability

The modularity of the Capellix 3000 design provides an ideal platform for building highly scalable SANs. The 3-slot chassis enables you to grow your SAN as your needs grow by offering a choice of GBIC, dual-SC, DB-9, or small form-factor connectors. By employing small form-factor connectors such as copper HSSDC, the Capellix 3000 switch can be configured for up to 32 ports.

To complement its port scalability, the Capellix 3000 features an integrated 28 Gbps switch engine, which provides the highest bandwidth of any switch in its class (Figure 1). This enables the user to build larger networks without the hidden cost of inter-switch port consumption and performance bottlenecks inherent in network designs using fixed-configuration switches (Fig 2).

The table below illustrates the number of switches required for aggregate bandwidth of 2 Gbps per node within mesh for a given number of nodes.

Number of Nodes Desired

Number of 8 Port Switches Required

Number of 16 Port Switches Required

Number of Capellix Switches Required
8

1

1

1
16

4*

1

1
24

6*

3*

1
32

8*

4*

3*
40

10*

5*

3*
48

12*

6*

4*
56

14*

7*

4*
* Configurations with blocking conditions
Figure 1 - SAN scalability: fixed configuration versus modular designs
Capellix’ 28 Gbps switch engine enables large, non-blocking SAN topologies.
 Capellix 3000 Modular Solution
Blocked Mesh Upto 32 Connections with just one switch
Large, non-blocking SAN topologies, using fixed configuration switches, are complex and costly to implement. Capellix’ 28 Gbps switch engine enables large, non-blocking SAN topologies.

Figure 2
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Ease of Integration

Employing standards-based SAN switch technology, the Capellix 3000 offers quick and easy integration into new and existing SANs. The Capellix 3000 is designed to work with the same Fibre Channel protocol that is supported by all host adapters, RAID controllers and storage subsystems, employing Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL).

Fabric services can be added for address extension, fabric login, fabric name server, routing and private-to-public address translation and extended Fibre Channel distance links to 80Km.

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Resiliency

Building on the proven resiliency of Gadzoox embedded management technology, the second generation Reflex™ II Name Server is designed to provide unmatched network stability and network reliability for switched environments. By constantly monitoring and analyzing the status of SAN devices, the Reflex II Name Server detects, isolates and suppresses disruptive events associated with power-cycling, rebooting, device plugging and intermittent link failures. This prevents such events from affecting the throughput of data to and from operational nodes. This intelligent, proactive capability ensures network stability even in the most dynamic environments.

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Management

The Capellix 3000 is managed by Gadzoox Networks’ proven SAN management software, Ventana SANtools GX. This basic version of the management software comes preconfigured with every Capellix 3000 switch. Once configured, intelligent agents monitor the health of links, helping systems and network administrators to meet customers’ expectations for high levels of service and ensures accessibility to business critical applications.

Ventana SANtools GXS, the optional advanced version of t he management software, is a value-added software package for SAN administrators who require an increased level of device management. Ventana SANtools GSX provides the SNMP support required to integrate a Capellix 3000 switch with third-party applications. Ventana SANtools GXS provides snap-in management solutions under the enterprise management framework for Tivoli® NetView®, Novell® Console One™ and Computer Associates®’ Unicenter TNG®.

Ventana SANtools Management

GX

GXS
FC-AL Support

Fabric Support

PIM Support

Reflex II Name Server

Zoning

Telnet

Menu-driven Interface

FC MIB 2.2

 

Web Management

 

SNMP

 

Third-Party Snap-ins

 

 

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Extensibility

The SAN infrastructure must provide a flexible foundation to support increasing storage requirements. In rapidly evolving SAN environments, the slotted chassis design and unique architecture of the Capellix switch provide extensibility, allowing the addition of SAN capabilities as they become available.

The Capellix 3000 modular architecture enables the support of multiple protocols, link speeds and connector types via upgradeable plug-in modules.

To help ensure extensibility of management capabilities and on-going compliance with standards and frameworks, the architecture of the Capellix switch supports a broad range of downloadable agents. Capabilities such as embedded management, SAN services, MIB extensions, SAN application APIs, and data mover agents can be easily added or upgraded in the field as these standards evolve.

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Flexible Configuration Options

The Capellix 3000 offers a choice of two 3-slot chassis models - a high availability chassis and standard chassis. The high availability model, Capellix 3000HA, is a 3U rack-mountable chassis designed for mission-critical SAN applications. Capellix 3000HA utilizes redundant power supplies and fan assemblies (Figures 3 and 4) that are hot-swappable, allowing scheduled replacement and better system downtime management. The standard model is a 2U, rack-mountable chassis for more space-conscious and cost-effective SAN applications. A modular solution provides a pay-as-you-grow capability enhanced by a cost-effective, integrated media solution for storage consolidation or server clustering applications.

Power Supply Fan Assembly
Figure 3 - Model 3001 removable power supplies in Capellix 3000HA Figure 4 - Model 3005 removable fan trays in Capellix 3000HA

The modular design of the Capellix 3000 allows it to be configured for a wide variety of SAN applications and services through the use of plug-in modules (PIMs). The DB-9, and dual-SC connector PIMs (Figure 5) enable the configuration of an 8-, 16- or 24-port switch with copper and/or optical media. Users can pre-configure Capellix, or field-install the PIMs in 8-port increments as the storage network grows.

For applications requiring higher port counts, the smaller form-factor HSSDC connector PIM offer 12 ports per module. This PIMs enable the Capellix 3000 to be configured with up to 32 ports.

The 6-port GBIC PIM provides the additional flexibility to configure the switch for varying cable media on a port-by-port basis. The GBIC plug-in module supports insertion of any combination of copper, shortwave optical, and longwave optical GBICs for connections up to 10 kilometers. The GBIC PIM can be used in combination with fixed copper or shortwave optical modules to optimize port density. GBICs also offer cost-effective attachment of local devices while retaining flexibility to add longwave connectivity to storage resources up to 10 km away for remote mirroring, backup, or data warehousing applications.
Capellix PIMs provide several media options Fabric Services Module
Figure 5 - 3110 GBIC (top), 3120 DB-9, 3130 Dual-SC and 3140 HSSDC PIMs Figure 6 - The model 3210 FSM PIM provides backbone features and 80 Km distance support with extended-distance GBICs.

For longer distance connectivity or backbone applications, the Fabric Services Module (FSM, Figure 6) features the unique Xport™. Xport is the industry’s first SAN switch port designed specifically to support extended-link distances of up to 80 kilometers. Xport minimizes the effects of link latency through a specially designed, over-sized port buffer. Without Xport, existing SAN switches suffer degraded performance or lose functionality of switch ports. When combined with extended-distance GBICs, the Gadzoox Xport feature delivers 80 kilometer distance capability. FSM also provides address extension and fabric routing services for using Capellix 3000 in the backbone.

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Multi-Gigabit Link Speeds

While the 28 Gbps Capellix 3000 switch engine provides superior scalability when compared to fixed-configuration switches, the modularity of the Capellix switch goes even farther towards enhancing scalability by enabling future support for multi- gigabit link speeds. By aggregating bandwidth into higher speed links, high-performance topologies can be achieved with fewer links, significantly lowering the cost per port in larger networks, as well as the cost of cabling and leasing dark fiber.

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Application

Capellix Advantage
Storage Consolidation

  • Superior scalability of servers and storage devices using the integral 28 Gbps switch engine, modular addition of ports as needed.
  • Reliable partitioning of servers and storage pools through advanced secure zoning.
  • Ease of integration with legacy storage subsystems available via FC-AL compliant PIMs.
Storage Management

  • LAN-free and serverless backup, restore, mirroring and vaulting of data through embedded data mover agents.
  • Downloadable Java applets and management agents provide a foundation for emerging SAN framework initiatives.
  • Conforms with IETF MIB standards for SNMP management.

Remote Connectivity

  • Extended distances over public and private networks.
  • Broad range of QoS supported via intelligent gateway services.

Clustering

  • Consolidates server-to-server messaging and server-to-storage I/O connections in high availability cluster environments.


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Technical Specifications

Functional Specifications:

  • Switching Engine: 28 Gigabits per Second, integral to the chassis
  • Communications Modes: Full duplex, Diplex
  • Data Transfer Latency: <500 Nanoseconds, 280 Nanoseconds Typical
  • Number of PIM Slots: 3
  • Protocols Supported: FC-AL, FC-AL-2, FC-PH, FC-PH-2, FC-PH-3, FC-PLDA, FCP
  • Management Access: Local Console via RS232, SNMP via 10Base-T, Telnet
  • Management Interface: ASCII via RS232, Ventana SANtools via 10Base-T
  • Management Standards: IETF Fibre Channel Management MIB, Fabric Element MIB

Chassis Physical Specifications:

  • Model 3000HA:
    3U, Rackmountable
    H) 5.2" / 132mm    W) 17.3" / 439mm   D) 18.5" / 469mm
    Weight: Net - 30.9 lbs. / 14.0 Kg
  • Model 3000:
    2U, Rackmountable
    H) 3.4" / 86mm    W) 17.3" / 439mm   D) 18.5" / 469mm
    Net Weight: 18.5 lbs. / 8.4 Kg

Chassis Electical Specifications:

  • Model 3000HA:
    AC Voltage: 100-240 Vac, 50-60 Hz
    Power Supply: (2) 1.5A, 200W, Redundant, Hot Swappable
  • Model 3000:
    AC Voltage: 100-240 Vac, 50-60 Hz
    Power Supply: (1) 3A, 200W, Fixed

PIM Options

Model 3110: 6-Port GBIC 1Gb/s Fibre Channel Switch PIM
Model 3120: 8-Port DB-9 1Gb/s Fibre Channel Switch PIM
Model 3130: 8-Port Dual SC Multi-mode 1Gb/s Fibre Channel Switch PIM
Model 3140: 12-Port HSSDC Fibre Channel Switch PIM
Model 3210: Dual-Port GBIC Fabric Services PIM

Environmental Specifications:

Operating Temperature: +10ºC to +40ºC
Storage Temperature: -30ºC to +60ºC
Operating Humidity: 20% to 80% Non-condensing

Safety Compliance:

UL: UL 1950, 1995, 3rd Edition
CSA: CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 950-95, 3rd Edition
CB Scheme: EN 60950:1992 A1, A2:1993, A3:1995, A4:1997
TUV: CB Bulletin No. 86A1

EMC Compliance:

CE Emissions Requirements: EN55022:1994 (CISPR 22, Class A)
CE Immunity Requirements: EN55024:1998 (CISPR 24, Modified)
FCC Emissions (USA): CFR 47, Part 15, Subpart B, Class A
Canadian Requirements: ICES-003, Class A
VCCI Approval: VCCI, Class A
Australian ACA Approval: AS/NZS 3548/95 Class A
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