IBM TotalStorage Productivity Center V3.1: The Next Generation

294 IBM TotalStorage Productivity Center: The Next Generation

7.8.2 Supported configurations

McDATA SMI-S Interface communicates with a device using one of two modes. If you prefer

to keep the EFCM Management Software as an additional interface to your switch

infrastructure, you would most likely choose the second method, EFCM proxy mode.

 Direct Connection mode: McDATA Provider communicates directly with the SAN Device.

 EFCM Proxy mode: McDATA Provider and Device communicate through EFCM only.

The EFCM Proxy mode has the following attributes that are different from Direct Connection:

1. The McDATA Provider always manages the same set of devices as those managed by

EFCM.

2. The McDATA Provider cannot add or delete a device from its list of managed devices; this

must be done through EFCM. When EFCM adds a device, that device is automatically

added to the McDATA Provider. When EFCM deletes a device, the device is removed

from the McDATA Provider.

3. If EFCM is running when the McDATA Provider starts, any devices being managed by

EFCM are automatically added to the McDATA Provider.

Direct Connection mode

Figure 7-76 on page 295 depicts the Direct Connection mode, in which a WBEM Server

application supports the standard CIM/WBEM interfaces to a client and accesses the

managed device using (possibly) nonstandard or proprietary means. Communications take

place in Direct Connection mode, in which the data passes directly between the McDATA

Provider and the device.

Chapter 7. CIMOM installation and customization 295

Figure 7-76 Direct Connection mode

EFCM Proxy model

Figure 7-77 on page 296 depicts the communications in EFCM Proxy mode. In this case,

EFCM manages the switch and communications between the device and the McDATA

Provider flow through EFCM. When EFCM is used to manage a device, EFCM assumes the

management interface with a switch or director. As a result, McDATA SMI-S Interface

communications must use EFCM to communicate with the switch.