Fibre Channel
Storage Distance by Protocol, Part IV: Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE)
In the past articles we’ve talked about doing distance extension for SANs, focusing first on building the physical elements that are required, before moving on to how Fibre Channel can be extended using buffer credits. In this article we’re going to talk about how it is best to think of…
Storage Distance by Protocol, Part III – Fibre Channel
In the previous article we looked at some of the physical characteristics of building a SAN extension. In other words, we looked at the different ways there are to “build the pipe.” We didn’t, however, get the chance to talk about the speed or capacity of the pipes, nor did we talk…
Storage Distance by Protocol, Part II – Physical Layer
In the last article, we looked at the big picture of what is involved in creating a SAN distance extension. In this article, we’re going to take a slightly closer look at the physical requirements and with luck we’ll be able to clear up some general confusion and misconceptions along the…
Storage Distance by Protocol – FC, FCoE, and FCIP, Part I
A long time ago I got asked to write about how to use Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) for distance. After all, we were getting the same question over and over: What is the distance limitation for FCoE? Now, the short answer for this can be checking out various data sheets for the Nexus 2000, Nexu…
Introducing MDS 9710 Multilayer Director and MDS 9250i Multiservice Switch – Raising the Bar for Storage Networks
The data center landscape has changed dramatically in several dimensions. Server virtualization is almost a defacto standard with a big increase in VM density. And there is a move towards world of many clouds. Then there is the massive data growth. Some studies show that data is doubling in every 2…
Mega Trends are Reshaping Storage Area Networks. But Are You Ready?
The data center landscape has changed dramatically in several dimensions. Server virtualization is almost a defacto in our customers’ data centers with a big increase in VM density. They are also moving towards world of many clouds. And then there is the massive data growth. Some studies show that…
Fibre Channel Standards, Speeds and Feeds, and Generation “X”
Okay, I have a confession to make. I’ve been somewhat amused by Brocade’s recent “Gen 5” Fibre Channel campaign. After all, the idea that “we’re going to simply call 16G Fibre Channel something other than 16G Fibre Channel and pretend that people will not figure o…
What Is Cisco UNIFIED FABRIC? Why Should You Care?
Is your network ready to help you transform and be the strategic partner that you can be? Let’s face it… Today’s data centers are challenged with siloed resources and facilities… Limited scalability… Poor resource utilization… Growing complexity…Perhaps the biggest challenge is time. Wh…