Qlogic QConvergeConsole CLI 8100 Series, User Manual

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1–Product Overview
QLogic Converged Network Adapter
FE0254601-00 A 1-3
Because the transmitting Fibre Channel frames require a lossless transport, an
Ethernet network that transports FCoE frames must also provide the same
lossless characteristics. Priority flow control (PFC) provides these lossless
characteristics. PFC is a revised implementation of the IEEE 802.3X Ethernet
standard, known as Pause, and is defined by the IEEE 802.1Qbb standard.
QLogic Converged Network Adapter
The second-generation QLogic 8100 Series Converged Network Adapters feature
a fully integrated, single ASIC with significant enhancements in performance,
power efficiency, and server-platform compatibility. The 8100 Series Adapter
combines the functions of a Fibre Channel adapter and a NIC on one PCIe
®
Gen2
card ( Figure 1-2 ). The 8100 Series Adapter appears to the operating system as
two separate adapters.
Figure 1-2. Combined SAN and LAN Function on One Converged Network Adapter
The 8100 Series Adapter boosts system performance with 10Gbps speed and
full-hardware offload for FCoE protocol processing. 10Gbps bandwidth eliminates
performance bottlenecks in the I/O path with a tenfold data rate improvement over
existing 1Gbps Ethernet solutions. Additionally, full-hardware offload for FCoE
protocol processing reduces system CPU load for I/O operations, which leads to
faster application performance and greater consolidation in virtualized systems.
QLogic Converged Network Adapters can connect a server to a Fibre Channel
storage area network through a compatible converged network switch (FCoE
switch). QLogic Converged Network Adapters can also connect to a network
switch, and perform the functions of a 10Gb NIC.
QLogic offers four 8100 Series models for standard servers. For information about
custom adapters for blade servers, see the product documentation.