# SAN Considerations

Collect the following information about the SAN before installing SME:

• Version of the SAN or NX-OS operating system.

Note We suggest that you use version Cisco SAN-OS Release 3.1(1a) or later or NX-OS Release 4.x or later.

• SAN switch vendors.

Note SME is supported on Cisco-only SANs. However, SANs that have switches from other vendors may also be supported on a case-by-case basis.

• SAN topology, including the placement of hosts and targets and number of fabrics.

• Backup host operating system.

• Backup application type and version.

• HBA type and firmware version.

• Tape library and drive types.

• Number of hosts and tape drives.

• SAN topology diagram.

• Types of modules used for ISL connectivity (Generation 1 or Generation 2).

Note This information is required for large SME setups.

• Zoning of the hosts and tape drives and if all the drives are accessible to all the hosts. It is preferred that there is selective accessibility between the hosts and drives.