Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE)

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Eliminate SAN Congestion

Explore new Cisco solutions that automate detection and resolution

Cisco Nexus 5600 platform switches offer LAN/SAN convergence through unified ports and Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE).

Unified Fabric TCO Calculator

Compare the cost of a fully converged multihop FCoE network with the cost of separate LAN and SAN networks.

Storage Enterprise Assurance Lab

Learn about interoperability matrices and best practices for Fibre Channel and FCoE deployments.

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Unified Fabric in the Data Center

Learn how a university reduced projected infrastructure costs by 50 percent. View Video (4:06 min)
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Consolidate, Scale, and Save

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.

Improve Agility, Simplify Management, and Reduce Costs

Operate high-performance SANs with efficient and higher-speed ISLs
Support any traffic type with wire-once agility
Reduce the number of adapters, cables, and network devices, and cut power costs
Simplify management with reduced footprint and lower TCO
Preserve investments in existing FC SANs

Cisco MDS 9000 Series Multilayer Directors

Integrate converged networks with director-class Fibre Channel SANs.

Cisco Nexus 7000 Series Switches

Deploy director-class, converged networks.

Cisco Nexus 6000 Series Switches

Scale with high-performance 40 Gigabit Ethernet FCoE and exceptional density in a compact form factor.

Cisco Nexus 5000 Series Switches

Support highly flexible access-layer deployments.

Cisco Nexus 2000 Series Switches

Provide unified connectivity for blade and rack servers.

Cisco Unified Computing System

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.

Aerospace Manufacturer Converges Network

Boeing Defense, Space, and Security Division relies on Cisco to deliver both FCoE and IP over a single, cost-effective infrastructure to:

Improve performance 20 percent by transitioning to converged network
Reduce deployment times for each new server by 25 percent
Boost IP performance by up to 30 percent, saving 35 percent in capital expenses and reducing power costs by 90 percent

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GE Division Boosts Application Performance

Cisco Nexus switches with unified fabric help GE Money Bank boost application availability and:

Improve network port provisioning and overall uptime
Enhance disaster recovery capabilities with dynamic workload movement
Reduce total switches from 10 to four, reducing power by up to 45 percent

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Systems Integrator Supports Cloud Services

ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corporation implements end-to-end FCoE fabric to support next-generation cloud services and:

Delivers services from one architecture with a single team
Gains agility to tailor cloud services and resources specifically to multiple customers
Enhances power and scalability to support any customer application

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