Converged networks with Fibre Channel over Ethernet and Data Center Bridging

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vendors can easily implement logic for converting FCoE on a DCB network (FCoE/DCB) to native FC in
high-performance switch silicon. FCoE encapsulates FC frames inside of Ethernet frames (Figure 3).
Figure 3: The FCoE protocol embeds FC frames within Ethernet frames.
The traditional data center model uses multiple HBAs and NICs in each server to communicate with various
networks. In a converged network, CNAs in servers can handle both FC and traditional LAN-based
communication traffic (Figure 4). That significantly reduces the amount of NIC, HBA, and cable
infrastructure.
Figure 4: In converged network architecture, CNAs support both FC and traditional LAN communication traffic.
In a single-hop FCoE/DCB network architecture, a gateway device known as a Fibre Channel Forwarder
(FCF) passes encapsulated FC frames between a server’s CNA and the Fibre Channel SANs where the FC
storage targets are connected. An FCF is typically an Ethernet switch with DCB, legacy Ethernet, and