using 4gb host HBA(s) on a 2 gb switch

Question

Hello,

I need to point out to our management the advantage of upgrading our CX700 switches from 2gb to 4gb switches. We are currently buying 4gb HBA(s) for our new Solaris hosts and I feel we are not able to take advantage of the HBA(s) capability if we continue to use the 2gb switches. Am I correct in this assumption?

Thank you!

Happyadmin

bernd3 · Answer

This is true, the server hba's would be slowed down to 2gbit/s so you wouldn't win anything at all.

Recommended is the other way around: first upgrade the switches to be able to use the higher bandwidth in the storage network (ISLs) then upgrade the storage ports (since often more than one server accesses a storage port) and upgrade the server hba's as last step.

regards,
bernd

RRR · Answer

I'dconsider the 'new' 8Gb switches. They're around and this saves you another upgrade in 1 or 2 years. I know not many storage vendors have 8Gb interfaces on their arrays, but for ISL's and perhaps even HBA's 8Gb would be just great. As soon as you need a new array, 8Gb might be available and you're already set

SKT2 · Answer

Also i doubt about the use of 8GB HBA in producitons widely now

RRR · Answer

True, but I don't know anything about the cost of those

If they cost the same, I'd go for the 8Gb's, but if they're twice as expensive, I'd simply take the 4's.... I've never seen 1 host putting an HBA to that limit yet

Connectrix

using 4gb host HBA(s) on a 2 gb switch

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