## About Data Host Connections

A data host is any host that uses the system for storage. The data host can be connected to the system in the following ways:

- To a host bus adapter (HBA), also called an initiator. The HBA is connected by a cable to a Fibre Channel (FC) port on the I/O section of the service panel.
- To an optional external switch, which allows fan-out from one of the FC ports to multiple hosts.

The number of hosts that can connect to the system without an external switch installed is limited by these factors:

- The number of storage resource card (SRC) sets installed in the base cabinet.
- The number of arrays installed.

If you connect an external switch to one or more of the system's FC ports, you increase the number of data hosts that can use the system.

### Related Topics

- Managing From the Site LAN
- Connecting an External Switch