Will,
You could connect directly, but then each tape drive would only be able to talk 
to the media server it's connected to.  I'd guess that you are probably running 
Shared Storage Option- in order to take advantage of that you need some way to 
allow each tape drive to accept data from several different sources- that is 
the function of your switch.

If you aren't running SSO, you probably should.  I'd do that before I took out 
the switch in any event.

Tom Burrell




Will Tucker wrote:
> I have 3 media servers and a NetApp filer connected via Fiber Cable to a 
> Brocade 5000 series switch which is then connected to tape drives in an 
> SL8500 tape library. What is the purpose for the Brocade switch? Do I need 
> it, or can I just connect the media servers and NetApp filer directly to the 
> SL8500 tape library via fiber? 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Will Tucker | Storage Administrator 
> Enterprise Technology Services 
> Manhattan Associates, Inc. 
> Direct +1 678.597.6644 
> Mobile +1 770.590.5404 
> wtucker < at > manh.com (wtucker < at > manh.com)
> http://www.manh.com/ (http://www.manh.com/) 
> _____________________________________________  
> The Supply Chain People?
> Manhattan Associates


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