Ethernet connections are used in several ways in an Xsan SAN:
Xsan clients and metadata controllers use Ethernet to exchange volume metadata.
Xsan clients can use Ethernet for access to networks outside the SAN (campus or corporate intranet or the Internet).
Xsan metadata controllers can use Ethernet connections for remote management.
RAID systems can use Ethernet connections for system management.
Fibre Channel switches can use Ethernet connections for switch management.
Use switches instead of hubs
To get the best performance, use Gigabit Ethernet switches, not hubs, in the SAN metadata network.