SME supports single-and dual-fabric topologies. The Cisco MSM-18/4 module, the MDS 9222i switch, and the SSN-16 provides the SME engines used by SME to encrypt and compress data-at-rest. Multiple modules can be deployed in a Fibre Channel fabric to easily scale-up performance, to enable simplified load balancing, and to increase availability. In a typical configuration, one MSM-18/4 module is required in each SME cluster.
SME clusters include designated backup servers, tape libraries, and one or more MDS switches running Cisco SAN-OS Release 3.2(2c) or later or NX-OS 4.x or later. One cluster switch must include an MSM-18/4 module. With easy-to-use provisioning, traffic between any host and tape on the fabric can utilize the SME services.
Required SME engines are included in the following Cisco products:
• Cisco MDS 9000 Family 18/4-Port Multiservice Module (MSM-18/4)