26  IBM System Storage N series Hardware Guide
RLM design and internal Ethernet switch on the controller
The Data ONTAP management interface (which is known as e0M) provides a robust and 
cost-effective way to segregate management subnets from data subnets without incurring a 
port penalty. On the N6000 series, the traditional RLM port on the rear of the chassis (now 
identified by a wrench symbol) connects first to an internal Ethernet switch. This switch 
provides connectivity to the RLM and e0M interfaces. Because the RLM and e0M each have 
unique TCP/IP addresses, the switch can discretely route traffic to either interface. You do not 
need to use a data port to connect to an external Ethernet switch. Set up of VLANs and VIFs 
is not required and not supported because e0M allows customers to have dedicated 
management networks without VLANs.
The e0M interface can be thought of as another way to remotely access and manage the 
storage controller. It is similar to the serial console, RLM, and standard network interfaces. 
Use the e0M interface for network-based storage controller administration, monitoring 
activities, and ASUP reporting. The RLM is used when you require its higher level of support 
features. Host-side application data should connect to the appliance on a separate subnet 
from the management interfaces
RLM assisted cluster failover
To decrease the time that is required for cluster failover (CFO) to occur when there is an 
event, the RLM can communicate with the partner node instance of Data ONTAP. This 
capability was available in other N series models before the N6000 series. However, the 
internal Ethernet switch makes the configuration much easier and facilitates quicker cluster 
failover, with some failovers occurring within 15 seconds. 
3.2  N62x0 model details
This section gives an overview of the N62x0 systems.
3.2.1  N6220 and N6250 hardware overview
The N62x0 models support several physical configurations (single or dual node) and with or 
without the I/O expansion module (IOXM).
The IBM N6220/N6250 configuration flexibility is shown in Figure 3-2 on page 27.