38
The Fabric of the Future:
Making Sense of Protocols
OGY
Organisations both large and small should look to vendors who
continue to offer traditional FC and iSCSI solutions to meet both
immediate and long-term storage needs, argues Paul Sudlow, Product
TECHNOL
Marketing Senior Consultant, Dell.
FCoE
Fibre Channel Over Ethernet to deliver solutions based Traffic Classes (IEEE 802.1 Qaz),
(FCoE) is an emerging protocol upon Ethernet indicates a wide Transparent Interconnection of
for storage area networks spread desire to converge to Lots of Links (IETF TRILL
(SANs). FCoE requires an Ethernet-based fabrics – which Working Group), and
enhanced version of Ethernet, is a strategy that Dell has been Data Center Bridging Exchange
which provides more assured driving for many years. Protocol (DCBXP).
delivery of frames. This These protocols are being
enhanced version is mandatory FCoE Overview collectively termed Datacenter
for FCoE and must be FCoE is a mapping of Fibre Bridging, or DCB, by the
implemented end-to-end. On Channel (FC) frames over standards bodies.
the other hand, iSCSI does not IEEE 802.3 Data Center
require this enhanced version Bridging Ethernet networks. Ultimately, the emerging new
of Ethernet, but will benefit This protocol expands Fibre 10Gbps Ethernet standards will
equally from its use. Channel into the Ethernet serve as a foundational
environment, combining these technology for this concept
Some vendors like Dell two technologies and preserving while allowing GbE solutions to
recommend a two-pronged the FC protocol and management be utilised at the same time, in
strategy that supports GbE and paradigm. The key benefit is the same fabric. FCoE supports
10GbE. FCoE is a key element that FCoE does not require Dell’s Unified Fabric strategy
of a Unified Fabric strategy, as gateways for bridging Ethernet since it expands the utility of
it allows Fibre Channel (FC) and legacy Fibre Channel higher-speed Ethernet networks.
native arrays to connect into networks.
FCoE fabrics while maintaining FCoE Product
existing FC management tools. FCoE requires the underlying Development & Plans
Ethernet network to have the Numerous companies have
Meanwhile, iSCSI offers other same loss-less characteristic as made not only public
benefits, such as the use of offered by the Fibre Channel statements about their support
existing Ethernet fabrics and physical network. For this of FCoE, but have also
associated management tools, reason, a number of initiatives announced products that are
and the ability to route storage are in progress in IEEE to expected to be delivered this
traffic over long distances and improve the Ethernet protocol year. Notable among these are
cost-optimise storage solutions to offer: Brocade, Cisco, Emulex, QLogic,
by mixing GbE and 10GbE Congestion Notification (IEEE Mellanox, Broadcom and Intel.
together in a single SAN. 802.1 Qau), Dell has evaluated this market
Priority based Flow Control and has approved concepts for
Regardless of the storage (IEEE 802.1 Qbb), several FCoE products in the
protocol being considered, the Enhanced Transmission Selection next few quarters, including
movement of storage providers / Bandwidth Allocation among the Cisco Nexus 5000 and FCoE
OCT 09 WWW.SNS-UK.CO.UK
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