Cisco MDS 9700 Directors now support 40-Gigabit Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) along with Cisco Nexus Switches, raising the bar of converged storage networking.
A classic data center design features a dedicated Ethernet LAN and a separate, dedicated Fibre Channel (FC) SAN. With FCoE, it is possible to run a single, converged network. As a standards-based protocol that allows Fibre Channel frames to be carried over Ethernet links, FCoE obviates the need to run separate LAN and SAN networks.
FCoE allows an evolutionary approach to I/O consolidation by preserving all Fibre Channel constructs, maintaining the latency, security, and traffic management attributes of Fibre Channel while preserving investments in Fibre Channel tools, training, and SANs. Based on lossless, reliable Ethernet, FCoE networks combine LAN and multiple storage protocols on a converged network.
FCoE also drastically reduces the number of I/O adapters, cables, and switches in the data center, when deployed as an access layer convergence solution. The recent introduction of FCoE support with 10GBASE-T technology allows data centers to have flexible physical cabling while supporting any protocol at much lower costs.
Now, multihop FCoE technology can be used to extend convergence beyond the access layer. The higher, more efficient speeds, such as 40 Gigabit Ethernet FCoE today, or the 100 Gigabit Ethernet FCoE in the future, help enable fewer and higher-speed Inter-Switch Links (ISLs) in the network core. The converged architecture means you can wire once and deploy anywhere to support any storage protocol, including iSCSI or NFS. This consolidated infrastructure also helps to simplify management and significantly reduce total cost of ownership (TCO).
FCoE is one of the core components of the Cisco Unified Data Center, which helps enable multiprotocol networking through Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS), Cisco Nexus platforms, and Cisco MDS platforms.
Integrate converged networks with director-class Fibre Channel SANs.
Deploy director-class, converged networks.
Scale with high-performance 40 Gigabit Ethernet FCoE and exceptional density in a compact form factor.
Support highly flexible access-layer deployments.
Provide unified connectivity for blade and rack servers.
Unite computing, network, storage access, and virtualization into a cohesive system with this next-generation data center platform.
Read case studies to learn how companies benefit from FCoE.
Boeing Defense, Space, and Security Division relies on Cisco to deliver both FCoE and IP over a single, cost-effective infrastructure to:
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Cisco Nexus switches with unified fabric help GE Money Bank boost application availability and:
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ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corporation implements end-to-end FCoE fabric to support next-generation cloud services and: