Cisco Cisco MDS 9000 16-Port Fibre Channel Switching Module Livre blanc
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equation. Once the traffic reaches the server access layer or edge switches, it is directed between
traditional FC for packets destined for storage arrays and Ethernet for LAN traffic to users and other
servers. This phase of network unification can be seen as a first step toward full convergence.
traditional FC for packets destined for storage arrays and Ethernet for LAN traffic to users and other
servers. This phase of network unification can be seen as a first step toward full convergence.
The next phase takes the transformation all the way to the storage array. With broader support for FCoE
from storage vendors emerging, the possibility of multitier FCoE becomes a viable option. It’s taken time
for storage vendors to prioritize the inclusion of FCoE capabilities in their arrays, but support is
increasing. iSCSI capabilities are fairly ubiquitous in the midrange and low end, so options do exist.
Whether users decide to separate traffic on distinct physical switches or combine traffic on switches, the
ability to use common technology throughout represents a significant step toward the vision of converged
networking. The replacement can happen gradually as current FCoE capable switches still support FC
transport traffic to arrays as well, so older arrays and older FC switches with remaining usable life can still
be used.
for storage vendors to prioritize the inclusion of FCoE capabilities in their arrays, but support is
increasing. iSCSI capabilities are fairly ubiquitous in the midrange and low end, so options do exist.
Whether users decide to separate traffic on distinct physical switches or combine traffic on switches, the
ability to use common technology throughout represents a significant step toward the vision of converged
networking. The replacement can happen gradually as current FCoE capable switches still support FC
transport traffic to arrays as well, so older arrays and older FC switches with remaining usable life can still
be used.
Storage and LAN networking are both critical aspects of any firm’s data center operations. Keeping them up and
running, eliminating performance barriers, and enabling smooth expansions and refreshes are top priorities for
environment managers. To this end, there must be significant benefit to any major changes that outweigh the
potential risks and disruption. Because the potential benefits from network convergence are significant, many
firms appear to be giving it serious consideration in spite of the natural conservatism inherent with storage
administration. There are several key benefits:
running, eliminating performance barriers, and enabling smooth expansions and refreshes are top priorities for
environment managers. To this end, there must be significant benefit to any major changes that outweigh the
potential risks and disruption. Because the potential benefits from network convergence are significant, many
firms appear to be giving it serious consideration in spite of the natural conservatism inherent with storage
administration. There are several key benefits:
Network hardware acquisition costs decrease due to the cost effectiveness of Ethernet. While the cost of FC
switching has come down over time, Ethernet is cheaper on a per-port basis and is likely to continue to be
less expensive due to the higher volumes and larger pool of vendors serving the space compared with the
relatively narrow and low-volume field of FC. Moving storage traffic to a form of Ethernet, a technology
that is ubiquitous in data centers today, is seen by many as a move toward more use of industry standards
and reduction of costs overall.
less expensive due to the higher volumes and larger pool of vendors serving the space compared with the
relatively narrow and low-volume field of FC. Moving storage traffic to a form of Ethernet, a technology
that is ubiquitous in data centers today, is seen by many as a move toward more use of industry standards
and reduction of costs overall.
Convergence onto a common technology could also lower hardware costs. Maintaining two separate
technologies is expensive. Buyers have to negotiate separately among distinct vendors for both Ethernet
and FC today. With convergence, port utilization could be increased with demand spread across a common
pool of ports, and total-parts sparing could be reduced as the spare pool could be shared.
and FC today. With convergence, port utilization could be increased with demand spread across a common
pool of ports, and total-parts sparing could be reduced as the spare pool could be shared.
Ethernet is widely thought to offer simpler management than Fibre Channel. There is no degree that
prospective administrators can get in FC technology, and most end up learning the craft on the job. Firms
generally struggle to hire qualified experts that can manage their critical data network environments.
While it’s not the only potential solution, a move to Ethernet for both application and data networking
could reduce the reliance on dedicated, and sometimes complex, specialized toolsets.
generally struggle to hire qualified experts that can manage their critical data network environments.
While it’s not the only potential solution, a move to Ethernet for both application and data networking
could reduce the reliance on dedicated, and sometimes complex, specialized toolsets.
Server-side network components and cabling can be reduced and simplified. For some buyers, the tactical
goal of reducing server-side network interfaces and cabling is enough of a motivator to get started on