Fibre Channel SAN Extension over Optical Networks
SONET/SDH Concepts
SONET/SDH Implementations
FCIP FC over ATM FC over SONET
There are several ways to use SONET/SDH to carry FC:
Use FCIP to encapsulate FC in IP packets, and then run the IP over OC-
x using packet-over-SONET/SDH (PoS). In this configuration, multiple
layers of encapsulation add overhead and latency. However, nearly any
combination of devices will support this architecture.
The FC-BB specification supports encapsulation of FC into ATM, and
ATM can be carried over SONET/SDH. Encapsulating FC into ATM
through an ATM Adaptation Layer (AAL) adds overhead and latency, as
well as complexity of network operation and management.
FC can be encapsulated directly into SONET/SDH. Latency is reduced
to the level induced by the SONET/SDH protocol overhead. This
configuration can be suitable for synchronous applications. Several
vendors have introduced support for FC interfaces in their SONET/SDH
products.