| Document revision date: 30 March 2001 | |
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Fibre Channel is a high-performance ANSI standard network and storage interconnect for PCI-based Alpha systems. It is a full-duplex serial interconnect and can simultaneously transmit and receive 100 megabytes per second. For the initial release, Fibre Channel will support simultaneous access of SCSI storage by multiple nodes connected to a Fibre Channel switch. A second type of interconnect is needed for node-to-node communications. Node-to-node communications over Fibre Channel is planned for a future release.
For multihost access to Fibre Channel storage, the following components are required:
The Fibre Channel interconnect offers the following advantages:
The Fibre Channel interconnect transmits up to 1.06 Gb/s. It is a
full-duplex serial interconnect that can simultaneously transmit and
receive 100 MB/s.
1.6.3 Supported Adapter
The Fibre Channel adapters, the KGPSA and the KSPSA, connect to the PCI
bus.
Reference: For complete information about each
adapter's features and order numbers, access the Compaq website at:
Under Products, select Servers, then AlphaServers, then the Alpha
system of interest. You can then obtain detailed information about all
options supported on that system.
http://www.compaq.com/
1.7 MEMORY CHANNEL Interconnect
MEMORY CHANNEL is a high-performance cluster interconnect technology for PCI-based Alpha systems. With the benefits of very low latency, high bandwidth, and direct memory access, MEMORY CHANNEL complements and extends the unique ability of OpenVMS Clusters to work as a single, virtual system.
Three hardware components are required by a node to support a MEMORY CHANNEL connection:
A MEMORY CHANNEL hub is a PC size unit that provides a connection among systems. MEMORY CHANNEL can support up to four Alpha nodes per hub. You can configure systems with two MEMORY CHANNEL adapters in order to provide failover in case an adapter fails. Each adapter must be connected to a different hub.
A MEMORY CHANNEL hub is not required in clusters that comprise only two
nodes. In a two-node configuration, one PCI adapter is configured,
using module jumpers, as a virtual hub.
1.7.1 Advantages
MEMORY CHANNEL technology provides the following features:
The MEMORY CHANNEL interconnect has a very high maximum throughput of
100 MB/s. If a single MEMORY CHANNEL is not sufficient, up to two
interconnects (and two MEMORY CHANNEL hubs) can share throughput.
1.7.3 Supported Adapter
The MEMORY CHANNEL adapter connects to the PCI bus. The MEMORY CHANNEL
adapter, CCMAA--BA, provides improved performance over the earlier
adapter.
Reference: For complete information about each
adapter's features and order numbers, access the Compaq website at:
Under Products, select Servers, then AlphaServers, then the Alpha
system of interest. You can then obtain detailed information about all
options supported on that system.
http://www.compaq.com/
1.8 SCSI Interconnect
The SCSI interconnect is an industry standard interconnect that supports one or more computers, peripheral devices, and interconnecting components. SCSI is a single-path, daisy-chained, multidrop bus. It is a single 8-bit or 16-bit data path with byte parity for error detection. Both inexpensive single-ended and differential signaling for longer distances are available.
In an OpenVMS Cluster, multiple Alpha computers on a single SCSI interconnect can simultaneously access SCSI disks. This type of configuration is called multihost SCSI connectivity. A second type of interconnect is required for node-to-node communication. For multihost access to SCSI storage, the following components are required:
For larger configurations, the following components are available:
Reference: For a detailed description of how to
connect SCSI configurations, see <REFERENCE>(scsi_techsum).
1.8.1 Advantages
The SCSI interconnect offers the following advantages:
Table 1-4 show throughput for the SCSI interconnect.
| Mode | Narrow (8-Bit) | Wide (16-Bit) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 5 | 10 |
| Fast | 10 | 20 |
| Ultra | 20 | 40 |
The maximum length of the SCSI interconnect is determined by the signaling method used in the configuration and, for single-ended signaling, by the data transfer rate.
There are two types of electrical signaling for SCSI interconnects: single ended and differential. Both types can operate in standard mode, fast mode, or ultra mode. For differential signaling, the maximum SCSI cable length possible is the same for standard mode and fast mode.
Table 1-5 summarizes how the type of signaling method affects SCSI interconnect distances.
| Signaling Technique | Rate of Data Transfer | Maximum Cable Length |
|---|---|---|
| Single ended | Standard | 6 m 1 |
| Single ended | Fast | 3 m |
| Single ended | Ultra | 20.5 m 2 |
| Differential | Standard or Fast | 25 m |
| Differential | Ultra | 25.5 m 3 |
Table 1-6 shows SCSI adapters with the internal buses and computers they support.
| Adapter | Internal Bus | Supported Computers |
|---|---|---|
| Embedded (NCR-810 based)/KZPAA 1 | PCI | AlphaServer 400 |
| AlphaServer 1000 | ||
| AlphaServer 2000 | ||
| AlphaServer 2100 | ||
| AlphaStation 200 | ||
| AlphaStation 250 | ||
| AlphaStation 400 | ||
| AlphaStation 600 | ||
| KZPSA 2 | PCI | Supported on all Alpha computers that support KZPSA in single-host configurations. 3 |
| KZTSA 2 | TURBOchannel | DEC 3000 |
| KZPBA-CB 4 | PCI | Supported on all Alpha computers that support KZPBA in single-host configurations. 3 |
Reference: For complete information about each adapter's features and order numbers, access the Compaq website at:
http://www.compaq.com/ |
Under Products, select Servers, then AlphaServers, then the Alpha system of interest. You can then obtain detailed information about all options supported on that system.
The CI interconnect is a radial bus through which OpenVMS Cluster systems communicate. It comprises the following components:
The CI interconnect offers the following advantages:
The CI interconnect has a high maximum throughput. CI adapters use high-performance microprocessors that perform many of the processing activities usually performed by the CPU. As a result, they consume minimal CPU processing power.
Because the effective throughput of the CI bus is high, a single CI
interconnect is not likely to be a bottleneck in a large OpenVMS
Cluster configuration. If a single CI is not sufficient, multiple CI
interconnects can increase throughput.
1.9.3 Supported Adapters and Bus Types
The following are CI adapters and internal buses that each supports:
Reference: For complete information about each adapter's features and order numbers, access the Compaq website at:
http://www.compaq.com/ |
Under Products, select Servers, then AlphaServers, then the Alpha system of interest. You can then obtain detailed information about all options supported on that system.
You can configure multiple CI adapters on some OpenVMS nodes. Multiple star couplers can be used in the same OpenVMS Cluster.
With multiple CI adapters on a node, adapters can share the traffic load. This reduces I/O bottlenecks and increases the total system I/O throughput. Table 1-7 lists the limits for multiple CI adapters per system.
| System | CIPCA | CIBCA--A | CIBCA--B | CIXCD | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AlphaServer 8400 | 26 | - | - | 10 | Can use a combination of CIPCA and CIXCD adapters, not to exceed 26. Prior to OpenVMS Version 7.1, the maximum is 10. |
| AlphaServer 8200 | 26 | - | - | - | Prior to OpenVMS Version 7.1, the maximum is 10. |
| AlphaServer 4000, 4100 | 3 | - | - | - | When using three CIPCAs, one must be a CIPCA-AA and two must be CIPCA-BA. |
| AlphaServer 4000 with I/O expansion module | 6 | - | - | - | When using six CIPCAs, only three can be CIPCA-AA. |
| AlphaServer 2100A | 3 | - | - | - | - |
| AlphaServer 2000, 2100 | 2 | - | - | - | Only one can be a CIPCA-BA. |
| AlphaServer 1200 | 2 | - | - | - | Only one can be a CIPCA-AA. |
| DEC 7000/10000 | - | - | - | 10 | - |
| VAX 6000 | - | 1 | 4 | 4 | CIPCA is not supported on a VAX. |
| VAX 7000, 10000 | - | - | - | 10 | CIPCA is not supported on a VAX. CIBCA is not supported on these models. |
Reference: For more extensive information about the
CIPCA adapter, see <REFERENCE>(cipca_techsum).
1.9.5 Configuration Guidelines for CI Clusters
Use the following guidelines when configuring systems in a CI cluster:
DSSI is a single-path, daisy-chained, multidrop bus. It provides a
single, 8-bit parallel data path with both byte parity and packet
checksum for error detection.
1.10.1 Advantages
DSSI offers the following advantages:
DSSI storage often resides in the same cabinet as the CPUs. For these
configurations, the whole system may need to be shut down for service,
unlike configurations and interconnects with separately housed systems
and storage devices.
1.10.3 Throughput
The maximum throughput is 32 Mb/s.
DSSI has highly intelligent adapters that require minimal CPU
processing overhead.
1.10.4 DSSI Adapter Types
There are two types of DSSI adapters:
The following are DSSI adapters and internal bus that each supports:
Reference: For complete information about each adapter's features and order numbers, access the Compaq website at:
http://www.compaq.com/ |
Under Products, select Servers, then AlphaServers, then the Alpha system of interest. You can then obtain detailed information about all options supported on that system.
For complete information about each adapter's features and order numbers, access the Compaq World Wide Web (WWW) site, select Products, then Servers and Server Options. The Compaq WWW site is:
http://www.compaq.com/ |
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