## Connecting an External Switch

You have the option of adding an external switch to one or more of the data host ports to expand the number of data hosts that use the storage system. However, external switches are not managed by the system. They must be connected to an external local area network (LAN) and be managed from a management station attached to that LAN.

Before you add an external switch, do the following:

- Consider the performance implications of connecting additional data hosts to a single Fibre Channel (FC) port on the system. Performance is affected by the number of data hosts competing for access to storage through a single port.
- Review the list of supported switches.
- Download and install switch management software and configure the software and the switch.
- Install the Sun StorEdge SAN Foundation software and any needed patches related to the switch.

To install the external switch:

1. Power off the system.
2. Connect an FC cable from an initiator port to the external switch port.
3. Connect an FC cable from the external switch port to the storage resource card (SRC) set on the I/O panel.
4. Use the switch's management software to place both ports on the external switch in the same zone.
5. Power on the system.

### Related Topics

- About Data Host Connections
- Guidelines for Fibre Channel Port Connections