Yes, FAS2020 has very limited connectivity options leaving no place for shelf *and* FCP *and* tape connection. May be you could consider using iSCSI instead if you need block access. To answer you questions

1) There is no problems connecting to tape via fabric. Assuming you have dedicated port on filer for tape connection.
2) The only configuration where shelf connection via FC switch is supported is Fabric MetroCluster. Another consideration is, even if shelf connection via switch would technically work, it does not mean that filer is prepared to share the same port between shelf *and* tape connection. So result will definitely be unsupported, and range from "works perfectly" through "filer panics".

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From: toasters-bounces@teaparty.net [toasters-bounces@teaparty.net] On Behalf Of Justin Popa [jpopa@cresinsurance.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2012 01:53
To: toasters@teaparty.net
Subject: Two semi-related questions - Adding a shelf, and FC config

I put in a FAS2020HA last year, and we’re looking to do a little expansion. We currently just have the base unit, with 600GB SAS drives. We’d like to add a shelf for our testing environment. We asked for a quote from our reseller but it was astronomical, so we’ve looked into the used market. Other than the added equipment not being covered by my service & support contract, is there any issue buying a ds14mk4 and installing it?

Assuming I do add it, I need some help figuring out my fiber connections. We’re currently NFS, but I’ve recently procured some HBA’s, as well as switches. To make things more interesting, we currently do our backup over fiber to an HP Autoloader connected directly to the first filer.

Here are my concerns:


1)      I’ve been told that you can’t put a tape backup on a fiber switch with a netapp. True? If so, can I just leave it connected to filer A, and then only connect the second FC port to the switch? I know I’m looking at a point of failure there, but that would be temporary until we change our backup infrastructure.

2)      Can you hang a shelf off a fiber switch as well? Is there any concern of doing that given question 1?

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