IBM Resells Cisco MDS 9000 SAN Switches

IBM Storage Networking MDS 9000 24/10-port SAN Extension Module for SAN c-type directors delivers a high-performance, flexible, and unified platform for deploying enterprise DR and intelligent fabric applications

The MDS 9000 24/10-port SAN Extension Module (feature number 3650) is supported on MDS 9700 Series Multilayer Directors. With port densities of twenty-four line rate 2/4/8/10/16Gb FC ports, eight 1/10GbE FCIP ports, and two 40GbE FCIP ports, this module enables large and scalable deployment of SAN extension solutions.

Traffic can be switched between an IP port and any FC port on a Cisco MDS 9000 Family switch.

The Extension Module has two independent service engines which can each be individually and incrementally enabled to scale as business requirements expand. The Extension Module supports the range of services available on other Cisco MDS 9000 Family FC switching modules, including virtual SANs (VSANs), security, and traffic management.

The FCIP module uses Cisco expertise and knowledge of IP networks to deliver SAN extension performance, reducing latency for disk and tape with FCIP acceleration features, including FCIP write acceleration and FCIP tape write and read acceleration.

Hardware-based encryption helps secure sensitive traffic with Internet Protocol Security (IPsec), and hardware-based compression enhances performance for both high- and low-speed links, enabling cost savings in expensive WAN infrastructure.

Multiple FCIP interfaces within a single engine or across service engines can be grouped into a PortChannel of up to 16 links for HA and increased aggregate throughput.

In addition, Tri-Rate shortwave and longwave small form-factor pluggables (SFPs) and a GbE Copper SPF are now available on MDS 9700 Series Multilayer Directors.

Key prerequisites

• Cisco MDS 9000 24/10-port SAN Extension Module supports all features and functions listed, and requires Cisco MDS NX-OS 7.3.0.DY.1, or later.
• For supported server models, OSs levels, and attachment capabilities, go to IBM System Storage Interoperation Center (SSIC).

Planned availability date: November 11, 2016