Inexpensive JBOD's that support private loop?

bfeeny · ‎03-07-2009

I am currently assembling a storage lab, and need to add some disk arrays. There are many out there that are just regular fc-al devices that don't support flogi (public). Can someone tell me what are some arrays which I can target that may be cheap (<$500 or so on ebay), older, etc. They don't have to have large disks in them, but I would prefer to stay optical.

So far I see the NetApp DS14Mk2's are one option. The ideal box would be 2U or so and not a big power sucking array that I need a forklift to rackmount :).

inch · ‎03-08-2009

G'day,

You can try any of the sun A5xxx range or the sun T3's. They should be pretty cheap these days (they are a bit heavy tho!)

Cheers

bfeeny · ‎03-08-2009

inch, thanks. My understanding is that the A5XXX sun JBOD's are not fabric aware, that they are just FC-AL private loop devices. I am not sure of the T3's but I thought perhaps the same. I am specifically looking for something that I can do a FL port with the MDS, instead of a TL port.

bfeeny · ‎03-08-2009

I found a link which shows which storage arrays are "fabric aware" as far as Brocade is concerned:

http://www.brocadekorea.com/download/products/BrocadeCompatibilityMatrix_4_27_04.pdf

Does Cisco have a similar compatibility document for MDS? If not, can I assume for the most part that if its fabric aware on a Brocade its likely to work with the MDS in the same fashion?

Brian

inch · ‎03-10-2009

Hi,

There is a compat matrix but generally it is from the partners (ie: emc will support x, HP will support y).

I've only ever seen one thing not work properly with the MDS' which was a ATTO fibre channel bridge which did not conform to the FC standards.

That being said, Cisco coded around it to make it work (pre sanos 1.0 days).

I would assume, if its fibre channel, it will work :)

It can be public loop, private loop and point to point and it will work :)

inch · ‎03-10-2009

Sorry mate,

Your topic title said private loop... any specific reason why private loop won't do the trick?

bfeeny · ‎03-10-2009

no reason why private wont work. Three of my JBOD's in my lab are private and I just wanted one that was public to have some variety. I heard Gen2 doesn't support TL ports anymore, and I may want to play with gen2.