What are front- and backend FC loops?

[Dusan_13]

If storage system must have:
"Full Fibre Channel architecture with 4 front- and 4 backend FC loops"
what exactly does that mean?
What HP (entry level preferable) storage is suitable for this requirement?

Regards, Dusan

[Mohanasundaram_1 · Accepted solution]

Hi Dusan,

The front end FC is the connectivity available from the Storage to the Hosts, also known as host ports.

The backend FC loop is connectivity between the Storage controller and the storage enclosures containing FC disks. This is also known as device ports.

HP EVA4000/EVA6000/EVA8000 has front and backend FC loops in the currently available storage.

With regards,
Mohan.

[Dusan_13]

Thank you for the quick response Mo!

Best Regards, Dusan

[Uwe Zessin]

Only the EVA8000 does provide 4 backend and 4 FC front-end ports that are loop-capable, but it is definitely not 'entry level'.

[Chris Callihan_1]

actually the EVA8000 has 4 front-end and 4 back-end ports PER controller, so that it has 8 front-end and 8 back-end ports for the array. the EVA4000 and EVA6000 would both have 4 front-end and 4 back-end ports for the array (2 each per controller)