This chapter describes cabling for the Fibre Channel XIO option board and PCI option board in the following sections:
Note the following shipping configurations for SGI Fibre Channel storage cables:
Two 10-m (32.8 ft) copper cables (DB-9 connectors at each end) are shipped with the Fibre Channel dual-channel XT-FC-2P and X9-FC-2P boards.
No cables are shipped with the single-channel XIO option boards, the PCI option boards, or the XT-FC-2POPT-B and X9-FC-2POPT-B boards.
No cables are included with the SGI Fibre Channel hub or switches, or with the Origin FibreVault or Fibre Channel RAID enclosures.
Cables can be ordered separately from SGI.
This section discusses cables for SGI Fibre Channel options in the following subsections:
Table 3-1 describes the copper and optical cables available from SGI. Table 3-2 and Table 3-3 provide additional information about these cables.
Table 3-1. SGI Fibre Channel Cabling Options
Length | Marketing Code | Part Number | |
|---|---|---|---|
FC optical cable, SC connector to SC connector | 3 m (9.8 ft) | X-F-OPT-3M | 018-0656-001 |
Note: The 300-m cable is supported only with MIAs for use with the SGI Fibre Channel hub and SGI Fibre Channel storage. | 10 m (32.8 ft) | X-F-OPT-10M | 018-0656-101 |
| 25 m (82 ft) | X-F-OPT-25M | 018-0656-201 |
| 50 m (164 ft) | X-F-OPT-50M | 018-0656-501 |
| 100 m (328 ft) | X-F-OPT-100M | 018-0656-301 |
| 300 m (984 ft) | X-F-OPT-300M | 018-0656-401 |
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FC optical cable, LC to SC connector small form factor connectors | 3 m (9.8 ft) | X-F21-OPT-3M | 018-1023-001 |
Note: These cables are for use between a 1-GB component and a 2-GB component. | 10 m (32.8 ft) | X-F21-OPT-10M | 018-1030-001 |
| 25 m (82 ft) | X-F21-OPT-25M | 018-1024-001 |
| 100 m (328 ft) | X-F21-OPT-100M | 018-1025-001 |
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FC optical cable, LC to LC small form factor connectors | 3 m (9.8 ft) | X-F22-OPT-3M | 018-1026-001 |
Note: These cables are for use with 2-GB components. | 10 m (32.8 ft) | X-F22-OPT-10M | 018-1027-001 |
| 25 m (82 ft) | X-F22-OPT-25M | 018-1028-001 |
| 100 m (328 ft) | X-F22-OPT-100M | 018-1029-001 |
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FC copper cable, high-speed style-2 balanced cable connector at each end. | 1 m (3.28 ft) | X-FSW-COP-1M | N/A |
| 3 m (9.8 ft) | X-FSW-COP-3M | N/A |
| 12 m (39.36 ft) | X-FSW-COP-12M | N/A |
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FC copper cable, high-speed style-2 balanced cable connector to DB-9 | 3 m (9.8 ft) | X-FS-COP-3M | N/A |
| 12 m (39.36 ft) | X-FS-COP-12M | N/A |
| 25 m (82 ft) | X-FS-COP-25M | N/A |
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FC copper cable, DB-9 connector at each end | 0.3 m (1 ft) | X-F-COP-0.3M | 9470156 |
Note: Two of these 10-m cables are included with each 2-port FC XIO board (XT-FC-2P and X9-FC-2P). | 10 m (32.8 ft) | X-F-COP-10M | 018-0570-001 |
| 25 m (82 ft) | X-F-COP-25M | 018-0571-001 |
Two MIA modules (FC copper-to-optical). | N/A | X-F-OE-KIT | 9980952 |
Table 3-2 provides additional information about the fiber optic cables available from SGI.
Shortwave fiber is 62.5 μm or 50 μm multimode.
Table 3-2. Characteristics of SGI Fiber Optic FC Cables
Characteristic | (X-F21-OPT-nM) | (X-F21-OPT-nM) | (X-F22-OPT-nM) |
|---|---|---|---|
Variant | 100-M6-SN-I | 100-M6-SN-I | 200-M5-SN-I |
Range | At least 175 m | At least 175 m | At least 300 m |
Transmitter | Optical laser: 780 nm | Optical laser: 780 nm | Optical laser: 780 nm |
Medium | 62.5 μm multimode SC to SC, 160 MHz/km | 62.5 μm multimode SC to LC, 160 MHz/km | 50.0 μm multimode LC to LC |
Connectors | SC duplex on each end | SC duplex to LC duplex | LC duplex on each end |
Table 3-3 provides information about the 1-Gb/s copper cables available from SGI.
Table 3-3. Characteristics of SGI Copper FC Cables
Characteristic | (X-FSW-COP-nM) | (X-FS-COP-nM) | (X-F-COP-nM) |
|---|---|---|---|
Variant | 100-TW-EL-S full-duplex (quad conductor) | 100-TW-EL-S full-duplex (quad conductor) | 100-TW-EL-S full-duplex (quad conductor) |
Range | 12 m maximum | 12 m with switch; | 25 m maximum |
Transmitter | PECL | PECL | PECL |
Medium | 1 m and 3 m: 30 gauge unequalized 12 m: 23 gauge unequalized | 3 m: 30 gauge unequalized 12 m: 23 gauge unequalized 25 m: 23 m equalized | 10 m and under: 30 gauge unequalized 12 m: 23 gauge unequalized 25 m: 24 gauge equalized |
Connectors | High-speed style-2 balanced on each end | Male DB-9; | Male DB-9 on each end |
62.5 μm optical cables support a maximum distance of 100 m (328 ft) or, with MIAs, 300 m (984 ft).
50.0 μm optical cables support a maximum distance of 300 m (984 ft) when operating at 2 Gbit/s.
The three types of SGI copper cables are fully shielded, full-duplex, balanced cables capable of supporting distances of 12 m (39.36. ft) at the 1.0625 Gbaud transfer rate.
The shield on the DB-9 connector (used in X-F-COP-nM and X-FS-COP-nM) connects directly to the connector shield, providing a DC ground on both ends.
The high-speed style-2 connector (used in X-FSW-COP-nM and X-FS-COP-nM) also connects directly to the connector shield, providing a DC ground on both ends.
Gigabit interface connectors (GBICs) are adapters used on the SGI 8-port and 16-port 1-Gb Fibre Channel switches to interface with cables. Table 3-4 outlines GBICs available from SGI for its Fibre Channel switches.
Table 3-4. GBIC Kits for the SGI Fibre Channel Switch
GBIC Type | Kit Marketing Code | Quantity | Part Number | Use These Cables |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Copper | XCOPGBIC-1 | 1 | 9470357 | X-FSW-COP-1M |
Shortwave optical | XSWOPTGBIC-1 | 1 | 9470358 | X-F-OPT-3M |
Longwave optical | XLWOPTGBIC | 2 | 9470359 | X-F-OPT-100M; also with longer cables not supplied by SGI |
For short distances, a passive copper GBIC (XCOPGBIC) is available from SGI, which supports the following configurations:
Cabling for distances up to 12 m (39.36 ft); use this cabling with the SGI 8-port and 16-port Fibre Channel switches.
Cabling for distances up to 25 m (82 ft) and equalized 22 AWG (American wire gauge) cabling for distances up to 25 m (82 ft); use this cabling for a direct connection to storage.
For intermediate distances, a shortwave GBIC (XSWOPTGBIC) is supported by SGI for the following configurations:
62.5 μm optical cabling for distances up to 100 m (328 ft) (cables available from SGI).
50 μm optical cabling for distances up to 500 m (1640 ft) at 1 Gb (cables not available from SGI).
50 μm optical cabling for distances up to 300 m (984 ft) at 2 Gb (cables not available from SGI).
For long distances, a longwave GBIC (XLWOPTGBIC) is supported by SGI for optical cabling distances to 10 km (6.2 miles) (cables not available from SGI).
See “Cable Characteristics” for more information on these cables. For distance considerations with respect to cables, see “Connections”.
Small form factor pluggables (SFPs) are adapters used on the SGI 8-port, 16-port, 32-port, and 64-port 2-Gb Fibre Channel switches to interface with LC-ended optical cables. Table 3-5 outlines SFPs available from SGI for its Fibre Channel switches.
Table 3-5. SFP Kits for the SGI Fibre Channel Switch
SFP Type | Kit Marketing Code | Use with These Cables |
|---|---|---|
Short wave, multi mode | XSWOPTSFP-2 | X-F21-OPT-nM X-F22-OPT-nM |
Long wave, single mode | XLWOPTSFP-2 | Cables not supplied by SGI. |
See “Cable Characteristics” for more information on these cables. For distance considerations with respect to cables, see “Connections”.
This section explains the various Fibre Channel option board connections, and the cables required for each, in these subsections:
Table 3-6 lists the cables required for specific connections.
Table 3-6. SGI Cable Connections
From SGI FC Device | To SGI FC Device | Distance (m) | GBIC/MIA at Source Device | Cable | Type | GBIC/MIA at Target Device |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PCI, style-2 copper connector
(PCI-FC-1PCOP-A), or | FC storage FC hub FC switch | 3 to 25 3 to 25 1 to 12 | None None None | X-FS-COP-nM X-FS-COP-nM X-FSW-COP-nM | Copper Copper Copper | None None Copper GBIC |
PCI, SC optical connector
(PCI-FC-1POPT-A), or | FC storage FC hub FC switch | 3 to 100 3 to 100 3 to 100 | None None None | X-F-OPT-nM X-F-OPT-nM X-F-OPT-nM | Optical Optical Optical | MIA MIA SW GBIC |
PCI, LC optical connector | FC storage FC switch | 3 to 100 3 to 100 | None None | X-F22-OPT-nM X-F21-OPT-nM | Optical Optical | SFP SFP & GBIC |
Dual-channel XIO board, copper DB-9 connector (XT-FC-2P, X9-FC-2P) | FC storage FC hub | 0.3 to 25 0.3 to 25 | None None | X-F-COP-nM X-F-COP-nM | Copper Copper | None None |
Fibre Channel hub | FC storage FC hub | 0.3 to 25 0.3 to 25 | None None | X-F-COP-nM X-F-COP-nM | Copper Copper | None None |
1-Gb 8-port or 16-port Fibre Channel switch | FC storage FC hub | 0.3 to 25 0.3 to 25 | Copper GBIC Copper GBIC | X-FS-COP-nM X-FS-COP-nM | Copper Copper | None None |
For distances to 10 km (6.2 miles), use a longwave GBIC or SFP and 9 μm single-mode fiber optic cabling; this cabling is not available from SGI.
For information on cabling SGI Fibre Channel storage options to the Fibre Channel XIO or PCI board, see SGI TP9300 RAID Owner's Guide (007-4644-001 or later), SGI TP9400 and SGI TP9500 RAID Owner's Guide (007-4304-001 or later), SGI Total Performance 9100 Storage System Owner's Guide (007-4068-003 or later), or Origin FibreVault and Fibre Channel RAID Owner's Guide (007-3428-004 or later). In the case of Origin 3000 series, Origin 2000 series, and Silicon Graphics Onyx2 systems, only qualified SGI support personnel can install the boards and cable the options.
For optimal performance when using a 1-Gb (100-MB/s) switch, use copper cabling in the following situations:
A Fibre Channel switch is inside the Fibre Channel storage rack.
A Fibre Channel switch is next to the storage rack and uses the same ground.
A Fibre Channel switch is next to the CPU and uses the same ground.
A Fibre Channel switch is cabled to another switch, for cost reasons (unless distance warrants the use of optical cable).
Note: No copper cabling solution is available for 2-Gb Fibre Channel switches.
To maintain acceptable quality and signal integrity, use only copper and optical cables from SGI with your SGI Fibre Channel enclosures. If you use both 62.5 μm and 50 μm fiber optic cabling in the same environment, use the same gauges for a patch cord and a trunk.
If your configuration uses cables, GBICs, or SFPs other than those available from SGI, support is limited.
Grounding is very important in SGI computer systems. Each chassis must be well-grounded through its power connector. All chassis with XIO boards with copper cables connected to them must share the same transformer, be grounded through the same earthing rod, and be on the same branch circuit. If you have any doubts about the quality of the ground connection, consult a qualified electrician.
Use an optical cable between the fiber enclosure(s) and the host XIO connection to eliminate any problems related to common grounding.
 | Caution: Any difference in ground potential greater than 500 millivolts (0.5 volts) between two chassis connected by copper XIO cables can cause severe equipment damage and can create hazardous conditions. |
The branch circuit wiring must have an insulated grounding conductor that is identical in size, insulation material, and thickness to the earthed and unearthed branch-circuit supply conductors. The grounding conductor should be green, with or without one or more yellow stripes. This grounding or earthing conductor should be connected to earth at the service equipment or, if supplied by a separately derived system, at the supply transformer or motor-generator set. The power receptacles in the vicinity of the systems should all be of an earthing type, and the grounding or earthing conductors serving these receptacles should be connected to earth at the service equipment.
A label kit for identifying Fibre Channel cable connectors is included in the Fibre Channel option board shipment. After identifying (and perhaps diagramming) all cable connections for your configuration, it is a good idea to label each end of each cable before attaching the cable. You can also use these labels to identify, for example, the FC option board that is connected to a particular Fibre Channel storage enclosure, fiber rack, fabric, or loop.