Regarding SAN switch

[diwakar410]

We recently purchased 2 Cisco SAN switch. Configuration portion is remaining in client's side. I haven't used it yet. Need ideas for fresh installment.

They already have 2 SAN storage, 4 physical servers and they want SAN on HA.

We have licence for 12 ports on both SAN and we have 24 SFP connector 

From what i learnt is we don't need stack cable for HA. We can do it using the LC connector.

Also read about making VSAN, Zones and port channel. Why do we need VSAN, zone and port channel.

Why do we actually use SFP and LC cables? I am told that the SFP can operate at 8gbps. Are both SFP and LC for faster speed.

How can i configure SAN to function properly?

[Walter Dey · Accepted solution]

Quite old document, but contains answers to all your questions:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/storage/san_switches/mds9000/sw/rel_2_x/cookbook/MDScookbook20.pdf

[diwakar410]

Fantastic document. Thank you Walter Dey.

[Rick1776]

You have to remember that within a SAN network is somewhat similar to Ethernet. VSAN's are similar to VLAN's and Port-Channels are the same in SAN's where they provide redundancy and you usually see them connecting MDS to MDS.

Zones are a little more difficult to explain where you can have many zones defined but only one active per VSAN. Typically within a SAN that I've seen only have one VSAN defined.

Here is a good Cisco Live session as well...

https://www.ciscolive.com/online/connect/sessionDetail.ww?SESSION_ID=83412&backBtn=true