Access to remote storage in MetroCluster IP configurations

In MetroCluster IP configurations, the only way the local controllers can reach the remote storage pools is via the remote controllers. The IP switches are connected to the Ethernet ports on the controllers; they do not have direct connections to the disk shelves. If the remote controller is down, the local controllers cannot reach their remote storage pools.

This is different than MetroCluster FC configurations, in which the remote storage pools are connected to the local controllers via the FC fabric or the SAS connections. The local controllers still have access to the remote storage even if the remote controllers are down.