FibreChannel over Ethernet (FCoE) is coming to your data centre. The problem is that FCoE doesn’t work properly on ordinary ethernet switches. What do I mean by “properly” ? We need new standards to let it reach its potential but there are too many acronyms.
Storage: Emulex Silicon Will Have iSCSI, TOE, FCoE, RDMA & iWarp in a Single Chip
5th May 2009 by Leave a Comment
Buried in this article from the Register is aparagraph detailing Emulex Gen2 chip that does all storage virtualisation in a single chip. The FC boosters will be unhappy, they will have to compete.
The Case Against FCoE and Fibrechannel – A Reasonably Complete View
20th April 2009 by 12 Comments
A number of storage bloggers have been questioning the relevance of FCoE and why would you bother with it. Given the size of marketing budgets pushing FCoE and the reality distortion this generates, lets look at the case AGAINST FCoE.
Network Fabric:TRILL for Server and Network People. Welcome RBridges
30th March 2009 by 25 Comments
TRILL is a key network technology for enabling Cloud Computing by allowing for better migrations of VM’s, and better utilisation of the network switching fabric and much improved stability of the Data Centre Server Fabric.
FCoE and the Return of Spanning Tree
14th March 2009 by 9 Comments
One of the most amusing parts about Fibre Channel over Ethernet(FCoE) is that Spanning Tree is making a triumphant comeback. And I am talking a Roman style parade after the gates to the city have been built and the streets lined with gold.
FCoE Might Improve Storage but Will Complicate IT and Cause Team Disruption
21st September 2008 by 2 Comments
I was thinking over the integration of an IT Engineering team to provide a cloud computing services. While discussing team responsibilities and operational “edges” I realised how divisive and dysfunctional FCoE will be to a team.
Data Centre Ethernet Standards Fight Brewing ? Brocade Says FCoE in 2010.
7th July 2008 by 5 Comments
I note this quote from a recent article on The Register where Brocade talks about their future strategy.
iSCSI Network Designs: Part 5 – iSCSI Multipathing, Host Bus Adapters, High Availability and Redundancy
16th May 2008 by 6 Comments
In iSCSI Part 3 – Server Side – iSCSI Host Bus Adapters and IP Performance I looked at how server side issues would affect the traffic generated on a per server basis. I recommended that you use iSCSI HBAs for high intensity servers to meet the high levels of performance.
The next level is evaluate how the server should connect to the network, specifically, this means how many ethernet ports you need, and what configuration is needed to support them to deliver high availability / redundancy and increased bandwidth.
Not Anti FCoE, More Like Anti Fibrechannel – A Response
17th April 2008 by 4 Comments
I got linked from Dante Malagrino at the Cisco Data Center blog yesterday. He writes a good post on why FCoE might be a good idea. Let me just say I am not only anti-FCoE, I am anti-Fibrechannel.
My rebuttal after the jump…
