System components

The system can contain a single server or several servers that operate as a cluster. Clusters that use more than two servers include two 10 Gbps Ethernet switches. Hitachi Vantara supports two switches for redundancy.

For information about the physical configuration of a cluster configuration, see the Hitachi NAS Platform and Hitachi Unified Storage File Module System Installation Guide .

The SMU is the management component for the other components in a system. An SMU provides administration and monitoring tools. It supports data migration and replication, and acts as a quorum device in a cluster configuration. Although integral to the system, the SMU does not move data between the network client and the servers.

In a single-server configuration, typically an embedded SMU manages the system. In clustered systems and some single-node systems, an external SMU provides the management functionality. In some cases, multiple SMUs are advisable.

The server supports FC switches that connect multiple servers and storage subsystems.

See Hitachi Vantara Support Connect for information about which FC switches are supported.

(HNAS 4040 model only)

A standalone server can operate without an external Ethernet switch, as long it uses the embedded SMU and there are fewer than three RAID subsystems attached.

A standalone server requires an external Ethernet switch if there are more than two RAID subsystems attached or if there are two RAID subsystems attached and an external SMU is used.

All cluster configurations require an external Ethernet switch.

A single node server can operate without an external Ethernet switch if the server uses the embedded SMU. This is also true if fewer than three RAID subsystems are attached to the server.

If an external SMU is used, a single node server requires a cable from the SMU to Eth1.

With the HNAS 4040 model, the switch is also required if there are more than two RAID subsystems attached or if there are two RAID subsystems attached.

All cluster configurations require an external Ethernet switch.

See Hitachi Vantara Support Connect for information about the 10 GbE switches that have been qualified for use with the system, and to find out about the availability of those switches.

The server connects to a 10 GbE switch for connection with the public data network (customer data network).

Also, a 10 GbE switch is required for internal cluster communications for clusters of three or more nodes.

See Hitachi Vantara Support Connect for information about the 10 GbE switches that have been qualified for use with the server, and to find out about the availability of those switches.

Hitachi Vantara requires dual 10 GbE switches for redundancy. In a dual-switch configuration, if one switch fails, the cluster nodes remain connected through the second switch.