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Maximum FC and FCoE hop count supported in ONTAP

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The hop count is defined as the number of switches in the path between the initiator (host) and target (storage system). The maximum supported FC hop count between a host and storage system varies depending on the switch supplier.

Documentation from Cisco Systems also refers to this value as the diameter of the SAN fabric.

For FCoE, you can have FCoE switches connected to FC switches. For end-to-end FCoE connections, the FCoE switches must be running a firmware version that supports Ethernet inter-switch links (ISLs).

Switch supplier Supported hop count

Brocade

  • 7 for FC

  • 5 for FCoE

Cisco

  • 7 for FC

  • Up to 3 of the switches can be FCoE switches.