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 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. systems can also support 10 Gbps Ethernet host interface adapters for Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) connectivity.)
A system with the 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.
Use the System Storage Interoperation Center (SSIC) to find the supported SAN or Ethernet switches:http://www.ibm.com/systems/support/storage/ssic