Emulex Whitepaper
Network Convergence with Emulex and Windows
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Advanced Management Solutions
FCoE Technology Overview
The FCoE protocol specification provides for direct encapsulation of a complete Fibre Channel frame (including checksum and
framing bits) within an Ethernet frame and avoids the overhead of any intermediate protocols (see Figure 1).
Figure 1
FCoE encapsulation
in Ethernet
This lightweight encapsulation ensures that FCoE-capable Ethernet switches are less compute-intensive, providing high
performance that is typical of a Fibre Channel network. By retaining Fibre Channel as the upper layer protocol, FCoE fully
supports critical Fibre Channel capabilities, including fabric login, zoning and Logical Unit Number (LUN) masking.
Benefits of Network Convergence and FCoE
The combination of network convergence and FCoE provide the following key benefits to IT organizations:
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Infrastructure simplification
—Network and storage I/O is converged over a single 10GbE infrastructure that supports SAN
and local area network (LAN) connectivity with common adapters, switch ports and cables.
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Protection for existing Fibre Channel investments
—FCoE is designed to fully leverage existing Fibre Channel
investments. Deployments begin at the edge of the data center and storage traffic is routed by a Fibre Channel forwarding
switch into the existing Fibre Channel SAN. Full interoperability with installed Fibre Channel switches and arrays means
no need to “rip and replace”. Even more critical, there’s no requirement to move and potentially disrupt access to data.
A common management framework across Fibre Channel and FCoE connected servers protects existing investments in
management tools and processes and lowers long-term operating costs.
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Increased IT efficiency and business agility
—A converged network streamlines and eliminates repeated administrative
tasks such as server and network provisioning with a “wire once” deployment model. The converged network also improves
business agility letting data centers dynamically and rapidly respond to requests for new or expanded services, new servers
and new configurations.
Emulex OneConnect FCoE CNA
Emulex OneConnect FCoE CNAs are single-chip 10GbE server adapters that support FCoE, while leveraging mature Fibre
Channel management tools and processes (see Figure 2). The OCe10102-F and OCe11102-F offload Fibre Channel protocol
processing from the CPU, providing high performance storage connectivity and optimized CPU utilization. The additional
processing power retained by CPUs provides more CPU bandwidth for enterprise applications and enables the deployment of
more virtual machines (VMs) per virtualized server.
Emulex FCoE CNAs leverage ten generations of advanced, field-proven LightPulse Fibre Channel HBA technology, making
them ideal for server I/O consolidation.
