IBM Redbooks

Jon Tate

Michael Engelbrecht

Jacek Koman

"Do everything that is necessary and absolutely nothing that is not." In this IBM® Redbooks® publication, which is an update and major revision of the previous version, we have consolidated as much of the critical information as possible while discussing procedures and tasks that are likely to be encountered on a daily basis. Each of the products described has much more functionality than we could cover in just one book. The IBM SAN portfolio is rich in quality products that bring a vast amount of technicality and vitality to the SAN world. Their inclusion and selection is based on a thorough understanding of the storage networking environment that positions IBM, and therefore its customers and partners, in an ideal position to take advantage by their deployment. We discuss the latest additions to the IBM/Cisco SAN family and we show how they can be implemented in an open systems environment, focusing on the Fibre Channel protocol (FCP) environment. We address some of the key concepts that they bring to the market, and in each case, we give an overview of those functions that are essential to building a robust SAN environment.

Implementing an IBM/Cisco SAN

This IBM® Redbooks® publication introduces the products, concepts, and technology in the IBM System StorageTM SAN Routing portfolio, which is based on Cisco products and technology. It also discusses the features of each product, and offers examples of how you can deploy and use them. The book targets storage network administrators, system designers, architects, and IT professionals who sell, design, or administer SANs. The rapid spread and adoption of production storage area networks (SANs) has fueled the need for multiprotocol routers. The routers provide improved scalability, security, and manageability by enabling devices in separate SAN fabrics to communicate without merging fabrics into a single, large SAN fabric. This capability enables clients to initially deploy separate SAN solutions at the departmental and data center levels. Then, clients can consolidate these separate solutions into large enterprise SAN solutions as their experience and requirements grow and change. Alternatively, multiprotocol routers can help to connect existing enterprise SANs for a variety of reasons. For example, the introduction of Small Computer System Interface over IP (iSCSI) provides for the connection of low-end, low-cost hosts to enterprise SANs. The use of an Internet Protocol (IP) in the Fibre Channel (FC) environment provides for resource consolidation and disaster recovery planning over long distances. And the use of FC-FC routing services provides connectivity between two or more fabrics without having to merge them into a single SAN. To derive the maximum benefit from this book, you should already be familiar with SANs. Otherwise, we recommend that you first read the following IBM Redbooks publications: IBM TotalStorage: SAN Product, Design, and Optimization Guide, SG24-6384 Introduction to Storage Area Networks, SG24-5470 Implementing an IBM/Cisco SAN, SG24-7545

IBM/Cisco Multiprotocol Routing: An Introduction and Implementation

Uwe Dubberke

This IBM® Redbooks® publication covers the IBM System Storage® SAN32B-E4 Encryption Switch, which is a high-performance stand-alone device designed to protect data-at-rest in mission-critical environments. In addition to helping IT organizations achieve compliance with regulatory mandates and meeting industry standards for data confidentiality, the SAN32B-E4 Encryption Switch also protects them against potential litigation and liability following a reported breach. Data is one of the most highly valued resources in a competitive business environment. Protecting that data, controlling access to it, and verifying its authenticity while maintaining its availability are priorities in our security-conscious world. Increasing regulatory requirements also drive the need for adequate data security. Encryption is a powerful and widely used technology that helps protect data from loss and inadvertent or deliberate compromise. In the context of data center fabric security, IBM provides advanced encryption services for Storage Area Networks (SANs) with the IBM System Storage SAN32B-E4 Encryption Switch. The switch is a high-speed, highly reliable hardware device that delivers fabric-based encryption services to protect data assets either selectively or on a comprehensive basis. The 8 Gbps SAN32B-E4 Fibre Channel Encryption Switch scales nondisruptively, providing from 48 up to 96 Gbps of encryption processing power to meet the needs of the most demanding environments with flexible, on-demand performance. It also provides compression services at speeds up to 48 Gbps for tape storage systems. Moreover, it is tightly integrated with one of the industry-leading, enterprise-class key management systems, the IBM Tivoli® Key Lifecycle Manager (TKLM), which can scale to support key life-cycle services across distributed environments.

Michael Engelbrecht

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