Switches

A switch is a component of a Fibre Channel network that enables connections between devices on the network. If the Fibre Channel host interface adapter option is installed, a Lenovo Storage V3700 V2, Lenovo Storage V3700 V2 XP, or Lenovo Storage V5030 system uses switches to connect to host systems and storage devices on the storage area network (SAN). Switches from different vendors can be used together in the system configuration. (If the Fibre Channel option is not installed, the system might have a SAS or iSCSI host interface adapter. Lenovo Storage V series systems can also support 10 Gbps Ethernet host interface adapters for Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) connectivity.)

A Lenovo Storage V series with Fibre Channel feature installed can connect to devices in the network through Fibre Channel switches. Within such a network, only storage systems must be connected through switches; host systems can be directly connected. Optionally, host systems can also be connected through switches.

SAN fabric function is available only if a Fibre Channel option is installed. Otherwise, this information does not apply.