Reference Guide

Data Center Bridging (DCB)
NOTE:
Data center bridging (DCB) is enabled in Z9500 switch.
Topics:
• Ethernet Enhancements in Data Center Bridging
• Enabling Data Center Bridging
• QoS dot1p Traffic Classification and Queue Assignment
• SNMP Support for PFC and Buffer Statistics Tracking
• DCB Maps and its Attributes
• Data Center Bridging: Default Configuration
• Configuring PFC and ETS in a DCB Map
• Configuring Priority-Based Flow Control
• Configure Enhanced Transmission Selection
• Applying the DCB Policies on Linecard
• Applying DCB Policies on SFM Ports
• Configure a DCBx Operation
• Verifying the DCB Configuration
• Generation of PFC for a Priority for Untagged Packets
• Operations on Untagged Packets
• Performing PFC Using DSCP Bits Instead of 802.1p Bits
• PFC and ETS Configuration Examples
• Using PFC and ETS to Manage Data Center Traffic
• Priority-Based Flow Control Using Dynamic Buffer Method
• Configuring the Dynamic Buffer Method
• Sample Configurations
Ethernet Enhancements in Data Center Bridging
The following section describes DCB.
The device supports the following DCB features:
● Data center bridging exchange protocol (DCBx)
● Priority-based flow control (PFC)
● Enhanced transmission selection (ETS)
DCB refers to a set of IEEE Ethernet enhancements that provide data centers with a single, robust, converged network to
support multiple traffic types, including local area network (LAN), server, and storage traffic. Through network consolidation,
DCB results in reduced operational cost, simplified management, and easy scalability by avoiding the need to deploy separate
application-specific networks.
For example, instead of deploying an Ethernet network for LAN traffic, include additional storage area networks (SANs) to
ensure lossless Fibre Channel traffic, and a separate InfiniBand network for high-performance inter-processor computing within
server clusters, only one DCB-enabled network is required in a data center. The Dell Networking switches that support a unified
fabric and consolidate multiple network infrastructures use a single input/output (I/O) device called a converged network
adapter (CNA).
A CNA is a computer input/output device that combines the functionality of a host bus adapter (HBA) with a network interface
controller (NIC). Multiple adapters on different devices for several traffic types are no longer required.
Data center bridging satisfies the needs of the following types of data center traffic in a unified fabric:
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Data Center Bridging (DCB) 201