The figures in this section show representative cabling configurations. The configurations shown guarantee that redundant data paths exist between the controller-drive tray and all attached drive trays in a storage array. You can attach the E5512 and E5524 controller-drive trays to the following drive trays:
You can attach the controller-drive trays to various combinations of all three drive tray models.
You must ensure that both controllers have access to all available drive trays by making sure that:
- Expansion port 1 from both controllers is connected to the same ESM in slot A of the first drive tray in the stack.
- Expansion port 2 from both controllers is connected to the same ESM in slot B of the last drive tray in the stack.
Except for the ESMs connected directly to the controllers and the last ESMs in the stack, each ESM should have only a single connection to the ESM that follows it.
Note: The expansion connectors to the drive trays are always on the left side of the controllers from the rear view.
You use SAS cables to connect any expansion drive trays to the controller-drive tray. When you connect the cables, keep the following considerations in mind:
- SAS channels are not tolerant of loops. Except for the ESM connected directly to the controllers, each ESM should only have a single connection to the ESM before it and a single connection to the ESM that follows it (unless it is the last ESM in the channel). Do not connect additional cables to ESMs to provide short-cut paths because this step creates a loop in the topology.
- The drive trays in the chain of connections from controller A are in the reverse order from those whose connections start from controller B. That is, the last drive tray in the chain from controller A must be the first drive tray in the chain from controller B.
- It does not matter which of the two SAS In ports on an ESM you use for a connection, but it is best to follow the conventions described in the documentation so your storage management software represents the storage array consistently.
- Some SAS ports might have a black plastic plug installed. Remove the plug before you attach a cable to the port.
- You must confirm that the blue tabs on the SAS cables face the bottom of the cabinet and ensure that each connector clicks into place.
One controller drive tray and one DE1600 or DE5600 drive tray
One controller drive tray and three DE1600 or DE5600 drive trays
One controller drive tray and five or more DE1600 or DE5600 drive trays