EMC Symmetrix DMX-3

Channel, disk, and global memory directors
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Symmetrix DMX-3 Hardware
Channel, disk, and global memory directors
This section describes the Symmetrix DMX-3 directors. The channel
directors and global memory directors manage the storage control
functions. The disk directors handle the data storage functions.
Channel director
connectivity
The Symmetrix DMX-3 provides channel connectivity through
combinations of mainframe systems and open systems channel
directors. These include:
◆ Fibre Channel directors (also used with SRDF)
◆ ESCON directors
◆ ESCON directors used for SRDF, data migration, and the SDMS
™
(Symmetrix Data Migration Service) application
◆ Multiprotocol Channel Directors (MPCD) available with these
channel connection combinations:
• Fibre Channel
•FICON
•iSCSI
• GigE (Gigabit Ethernet) remote directors used for SRDF
• GigE IPv4/v6 (IPsec capable) directors
Note: The Symmetrix DMX-3 supports mixed ESCON, FICON, Fibre
Channel, and iSCSI interfaces when the required Symmetrix ESP software is
installed on the Symmetrix system. Contact your local EMC Sales
Representative for currently supported host connectivity.
The Symmetrix DMX-3 supports open systems hosts such as UNIX
systems, Linux systems, and Windows connectivity through
Symmetrix Fibre Channel or iSCSI directors. (iSeries connectivity is
only supported through Fibre Channel directors.) The Symmetrix
DMX-3 supports mainframe connectivity through ESCON and
FICON directors. The Symmetrix DMX-3 connects directly to host
processors through physical channel attachments. Table 16 on
page 76 describes the protocols that are supported by the Symmetrix
DMX-3 channel directors.