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ONTAP MetroCluster

Requirements for using a Brocade DCX 8510-8 switch

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As you prepare for the MetroCluster installation, you should understand the MetroCluster hardware architecture and required components.

  • The DCX 8510-8 switches used in MetroCluster configurations must be purchased from NetApp.

  • For scalability, you should leave one port-chunk between MetroCluster configurations if cabling only two MetroClusters in 4x48-port modules. This enables you to expand port usage in MetroCluster configurations without recabling.

  • Each Brocade DCX 8510-8 switch in the MetroCluster configuration must be correctly configured for the ISL ports and storage connections. For port usage, see the following section: Port assignments for FC switches when using ONTAP 9.1 and later.

  • ISLs cannot be shared and each MetroCluster requires two ISLs for each fabric.

  • The DCX 8510-8 switch used for backend MetroCluster connectivity should not be used for any other connectivity.

    Non-MetroCluster devices should not be connected to these switches and non-MetroCluster traffic should not flow through DCX 8510-8 switches.

  • One line card can either be connected to ONTAP MetroClusters or ONTAP 7-Mode MetroClusters.

Note RCF files are not available for this switch.

The following are the requirements for using two Brocade DCX 8510-8 switches:

  • You must have one DCX 8510-8 switch at each site.

  • You must use a minimum of two 48-port blades that contain 16Gb SFPs in each switch.

The following are the requirements for using four DCX 8510-8 switches at each site in a MetroCluster configuration:

  • You must have two DCX 8510-8 switches at each site.

  • You must use at least one 48-port blade for each DCX 8510-8 switch.

  • Each blade is configured as a virtual switch using virtual fabrics.

The following NetApp products are not supported by Brocade DCX 8510-8 switches:

  • Config Advisor

  • Fabric Health Monitor

  • MyAutoSupport (system risks might show false positives)

  • Active IQ Unified Manager (formerly OnCommand Unified Manager)

Note Ensure that all the components needed for this configuration are in the NetApp Interoperability Matrix Tool. Read the notes section in the Interoperability Matrix Tool for information on supported configurations.