Deployment Guide

5 Dell Networking FC Flex IOM: Deployment of FCoE with Dell FC Flex IOM, Brocade FC switches,
and Dell Compellent Storage Array
Deployment/Configuration Guide
1 Executive Summary
In the “Dell Networking FC Flex IOM: Infrastructure & Network Convergence w/ FCoE” whitepaper we
demonstrated and explained the movement from a traditional non-converged LAN/SAN network to a
converged LAN/SAN infrastructure and network and how the Dell
MXL/IOA with Dell FC Flex IOM is an ideal solution for this transition. In
addition to covering the industry trend towards IO Consolidation and
network convergence, we covered the many benefits offered by FC Flex
IOM which offers not only a converged networking solution but also a
converged infrastructure where the FCoE-FC bridging functionality is
implemented directly within the blade switch.
The Dell FC Flex IO module transforms a Dell MXL/IOA blade switch from
a Ethernet-only switch to a converged switch capable of bridging
between Ethernet and Fibre Channel. The FC Flex IOM moves the
convergence layer from a typical dedicated ToR switch down to the
blade switch via extensible IO module providing the benefits of IO
consolidation such as less infrastructure hardware, less maintenance, and
considerable cost savings. With its unique modular design FC Flex IOM
allows end users to migrate to a converged solution and introduce FCoE
functionality to the MXL/IOA blade switch at their own pace without
replacing the entire switch. This benefit is unmatched in the industry. In
this whitepaper we cover detailed topology and
configuration examples.
Figure 1 Converged Infrastructure/Network