Many enterprise data centers rely on Ethernet for their LAN and data traffic, and on Fibre Channel (FC) networks for their storage infrastructure. With increased adoption of 10GbE in the data center, the availability of Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE), and new lossless 10GbE technologies, it is now possible to consolidate FC SAN storage data flows with LAN and data traffic onto the same unified Ethernet cable. Network convergence will enable enterprises to preserve their existing investments in FC storage, reduce data center costs and complexity, and simplify network management.
"Yet another storage technology? Yes. Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) has arrived on the scene for a number of reasons, which Steve Looby of SANBlaze Technology, Inc., a designer of SAN Emulation test products and manufacturer of a complete line of AMC, PMC, AdvancedTCA, and CompactPCI board-level storage solutions, outlines here. Steve then goes on to discuss the new test capabilities for developing and deploying FCoE storage equipment."
"Fibre Channel (FC) is the technology standard for datacenter SAN environments, and Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) is an example of continued innovation that will enhance investments in FC-based architectures and business solutions. FCoE expands Fibre Channel into the Ethernet environment, combining two leading technologies - FC and Ethernet - to provide more options to end users for SAN connectivity and networking. We expect FCoE to deliver leading performance without the latency and complexity issues of TCP, to provide greater flexibility in network infrastructure and protocol decisions through network convergence, and to enhance FC investments in the datacenter. "
"There are number of discussions, blogs, and articles comparing Internet SCSI (iSCSI), Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE), and Fibre Channel (FC). Many of them share a common belief that FCoE and FC are better suited as core data center storage area networks (SANs) and that iSCSI is ideal for Tier 2 storage or for SAN deployments in remote or branch office (ROBO) and small and medium business (SMB) environments. That is because iSCSI is characterized as “low-performing,” “lousy,” and “unpredictable.” In this blog I will tackle the misinformation around iSCSI performance as compared to FC and FCoE. I will also compare effective efficiency of the various SAN protocols since efficiency is an aspect of performance."
"Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) is an encapsulation of Fibre Channel frames over Ethernet networks. This allows Fibre Channel to use 10 Gigabit Ethernet networks while preserving the Fibre Channel protocol[1]. The specification, supported by a large number of network and storage vendors, was developed by the FC-BB-5 working group of T11. On June 4, 2009, T11 approved the FC-BB-5 Draft Standard and forwarded it to INCITS for the publication process as an ANSI standard."