Hi Andy,

Both methods are widely used, and the only things I can think of is the fact 
that a SAN switch can sometimes improve link stability, and you can zone stuff 
in and out.

I've seen a few cases where a customer has been using direct-attached drives 
and for some odd reason the library or some of the drives suddenly stops 
responding. Powering off the server and library/drives for 5 mins has always 
solved this when we couldn't find anything wrong with the hardware (running 
tape tools tests, checking connectivity, drivers etc. etc.) I've never seen 
this happen when theres was a SAN switch in between unless of course the 
hardware also failed the tests.

But that's just my 2 cents, I do NW 2nd line support for a living.

/tony

-----Oprindelig meddelelse-----
Fra: EMC NetWorker discussion [mailto:NETWORKER AT LISTSERV.TEMPLE DOT EDU] På 
vegne af Andy Williams
Sendt: 8. februar 2013 12:52
Til: NETWORKER AT LISTSERV.TEMPLE DOT EDU
Emne: [Networker] Fibre attached drive question

Hi Guys

How are people connecting their fibre attached drives, directly to the hba's on 
the host or via fibre switches?

Seems to be either way is acceptable, just looking for real life experience!
Host will have dual  8Gig connect to the san fibre  as well as two other dual 
hbas that could be used to directly connect the drives.


Thanks

Andy