32 Cabling Your Blade Cluster Hardware
Network-Attached Cluster
A network-attached cluster is a cluster configuration where all cluster nodes 
are attached to a single storage system or to multiple storage systems through 
a network using a redundant switch fabric. Network-attached cluster 
configurations provide flexibility, expandability, and performance with either 
iSCSI or Fibre Channel storage arrays. 
Network-Attached Cluster Configured With an Internal Fabric
An internal fabric incorporates switch modules that do not connect to 
external switches. Each server module I/O port is internally connected to a 
port on a switch module. Up to two storage systems can be connected to the 
outgoing ports on a switch module with internal fabric.
Cabling One PowerEdge Server Enclosure to One Storage System
In this configuration, a PowerEdge M1000e server enclosure is connected to 
Dell|EMC CX3-20 storage system. The server and storage components in 
your configuration may vary.
To cable one PowerEdge server enclosure to Dell|EMC CX3-20 storage 
system:
1
Connect a cable from Fibre Channel switch module 1 to SP-A fibre port 0 
(first fibre port).
2
Connect a cable from Fibre Channel switch module 1 to SP-B fibre port 1 
(second fibre port).
3
Connect a cable from Fibre Channel switch module 2 to SP-A fibre port 1 
(second fibre port).
4
Connect a cable from Fibre Channel switch module 2 to SP-B fibre port 0 
(first fibre port).
Figure 2-3 shows how to cable a PowerEdge M1000e sever enclosure to the 
CX3-20 storage system. The server module’s dual-port Fibre Channel 
daughter card and Fibre Channel switch modules are connected internally in 
the system chassis.
book.book  Page 32  Monday, December 31, 2007  3:41 PM