HPE STOREONCE 5500

Fibre Channel with StoreOnce Systems
Fibre Channel hardware requirements
The Fibre Channel hardware option is not supported on the HPE StoreOnce 3100 System.
All other StoreOnce Systems described in this guide support data backup to StoreOnce Catalyst and VTL
devices via Fibre Channel.
If you intend to connect the HPE StoreOnce System to a SAN, you must purchase and install one or more
FC cards in the PCIe slots. SFP transceivers are supplied with the FC card.
If you have specified this as part of your original purchase, the FC cards will already be installed, but you
must install the SFP transceivers before connecting the HPE StoreOnce System to the SAN. Cables are
not supplied.
IMPORTANT:
If you purchase the card(s) after installation, be sure to read the StoreOnce System Optional
Hardware Installation and Configuration Guide for details about installing and licensing the cards.
More information
Hardware overview reference section on page 68
Supported Fibre Channel connections
• The StoreOnce System supports both switched fabric and direct attach private loop topologies.
A switched fabric topology utilizes one or more fabric switches to provide a flexible configuration
between several Fibre Channel hosts and Fibre Channel targets such as StoreOnce Systems.
• Switched fabric configurations are implemented with Fibre Channel switches. Switches may be
cascaded or meshed together to form larger fabrics.
• The preferred topology for the StoreOnce System is switched fabric using NPIV (N_Port ID
Virtualisation).
NOTE:
Please refer to http://www.hpe.com/info/ebs for the latest information about compatibility.
Zoning
Zoning is only required if a switched fabric topology is used.
Due to complexities in multi-hosting tape devices on SANs, it is best to make use of zoning tools to help
keep the backup/restore environment simple and less susceptible to the effects of changing or
problematic SANs.
Zoning provides a way for servers, disk arrays, and tape libraries to only see what hosts and targets they
need to see and use. The benefits of zoning include but are not limited to:
• Limiting unnecessary discoveries on the StoreOnce System.
• Reducing stress on the StoreOnce System and its library devices by polling agents.
84 Fibre Channel with StoreOnce Systems