Fibre Channel Over Ethernet; The Fcoe Topology - Lenovo RackSwitch G8264 Application Manual

Fibre Channel over Ethernet

The FCoE Topology

366
G8264 Application Guide for ENOS 8.4
Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) is an effort to converge two of the different
physical networks in today's data centers. It allows Fibre Channel traffic (such as
that commonly used in Storage Area Networks, or SANs) to be transported
without loss over 10Gb Ethernet links (typically used for high‐speed Local Area
Networks, or LANs). This provides an evolutionary approach toward network
consolidation, allowing Fibre Channel equipment and tools to be retained, while
leveraging cheap, ubiquitous Ethernet networks for growth.
With server virtualization, servers capable of hosting both Fibre Channel and
Ethernet applications will provide advantages in server efficiency, particularly as
FCoE‐enabled network adapters provide consolidated SAN and LAN traffic
capabilities.
The Lenovo RackSwitch G8264 with Lenovo Enterprise Network Operating
System 8.4 software is compliant with the INCITS T11.3, FC‐BB‐5 FCoE
specification, supporting up to 2048 FCoE connections.
Note: The G8264 supports up to 2048 FCoE login sessions.
In an end‐to‐end Fibre Channel network, switches and end devices generally
establish trusted, point‐to‐point links. Fibre Channel switches validate end
devices, enforce zoning configurations and device addressing, and prevent certain
types of errors and attacks on the network.
In a converged multi‐hop FCoE network where Fibre Channel devices are bridged
to Ethernet devices, the direct point‐to‐point QoS capabilities normally provided
by the Fibre Channel fabric may be lost in the transition between the different
network types. The G8264 provides a solution to overcome this.
Figure 32. A Mixed Fibre Channel and FCoE Network
Fibre
Channel
FCF
Device
FCoE 802.1p Priority & Usage
3 FCoE Applications
802.1p Priority & Usage
0-2 LAN
4 Business-Critical LAN
Servers
In Figure 32 on page 366, the Fibre Channel network is connected to the FCoE
network through an FCoE Forwarder (FCF). The FCF acts as a Fibre Channel
gateway to and from the FCoE network.
LAN
Port 1
Port 2
Lenovo
Switch
Port 3 Port 4
CNA
CNA