HP StorageWorks P2000 - G3 MSA Array Systems

26 Installing the enclosures
Table 3 SAS expansion cable requirements: controller-to-expansion module connection
1
One 0.5m cable is required per controller module to I/O (expansion) module connection.
2
One 0.5m, 1.0m, or 2.0m cable is required per controller module to expansion module connection.
3
Cables required, if not included, must be separately purchased.
4
When adding more than two drive enclosures, you may need to purchase additional 1m or 2m cables:
- Spanning 3, 4, or 5 drive enclosures requires 1m cables
- Spanning 6 or 7 drive enclosures requires 2m cables
5
See Table 4 on page 27 and related footnotes for cabling multiple drive enclosures.
IMPORTANT: Controller modules within the enclosure must be of the same type. Do not install a
P2000G3MSA System FC and P2000G3MSA System FC/iSCSI controller module within the same
chassis, for the configuration is not supported by the firmware.
IMPORTANT: Mixing 3Gbps drive enclosures with 6Gbps drive enclosures is supported; however, the
mixed-connect environment can result in performance limitations, unless properly configured.
For additional information concerning cabling of P2000 G3 MSA System controllers and MSA2000 G1
or G2 drive enclosures, visit your HP MSA products page http://www.hp.com/go/p2000
. From the HP
MSA products page, browse for the following reference documents:
• HP StorageWorks MSA2000 G1 or G2 and P2000 G3 FC MSA Best Practices
• Upgrading the HP StorageWorks MSA2000 G2 to the P2000 G3 MSA
• Upgrading the HP StorageWorks MSA2000 G1 to the P2000 G3 MSA
Mixed-connect cabling considerations
P2000 G3 MSA System controller enclosures (both LFF and SFF models) support each of the drive
enclosures listed above in homogeneous fashion. However, when cabling supported drive enclosures in
mixed-connect environments, be mindful of the following considerations concerning components equipped
with SAS2.0 and SAS1.1 expanders (labeled in Figure 1 on page 25), respectively:
• P2000 G3 MSA System controller enclosures support 6Gbps and 3Gbps drive enclosures.
• To mitigate potential performance limitations in a mixed-connect drive enclosure environment, cable
3Gbps drive enclosures behind 6Gbps drive enclosures. For optimal performance, do not mix 6Gb and
3Gb disk drives in the same enclosure.
• Performance will be limited if a 3Gbps drive enclosure is cabled before a 6Gbps drive enclosure
—
and cannot be avoided — if reverse cabled. A 6Gbps rated drive enclosure will perform at a 3Gbps
data transfer rate if cabled behind a 3Gbps drive enclosure.
• If used in a mixed-connect combination, an MSA2000 3Gb drive enclosure should be cabled behind
other supported models, using straight-through cabling.
Product model-to-model storage component attachment SAS Expansion (In/Out) cable data
Controller module Drive enclosure Type Length Connectors
P2000 G3 MSA FC SFF;
P2000 G3 MSA FC LFF
P2000 6Gb drive enclosure mini-SAS to mini-SAS
1
0.5m 6Gbps
D2700 6Gb drive enclosure mini-SAS to mini-SAS
1
0.5m 6Gbps
MSA2000 3Gb drive enclosure mini-SAS to SAS
2
0.5m,
1m, 2m
6Gbps,
3Gbps
MSA70 3Gb drive enclosure mini-SAS to mini-SAS
1
0.5m 6Gbps,
3Gbps