Converged networks with Fibre Channel over Ethernet and Data Center Bridging

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Figure 7: Phases 2 and 3 of converged network deployment reduce the required hardware.
Practical strategies for moving to FCoE
You can make the transition to FCoE gracefully with little disruption to existing network infrastructures:
Deploy FCoE first at the server-to-network edge and migrate it further into the network (aggregation/core
network layers and storage devices) over time.
You could also start by implementing FCoE only with those servers requiring access to FC SAN targets. In
general, more of a data center’s assets use only LAN attach rather than both LAN and SAN. You should
use CNAs only with the servers that actually benefit from them. Don’t needlessly change the entire
infrastructure. ProLiant c-Class BladeSystem G7 and later blade servers come with HP FlexFabric adapters
(HP CNAs) as the standard LAN-on-Motherboard (LOM) devices. By offering CNAs as a standard on blade
servers, we lead the way to very cost effective adoption of FCoE technology.
You can use HP VC FlexFabric modules now to get a converged networking solution with FCoE and
10 GbE. VC FlexFabric modules eliminate up to 95% t of network sprawl at the server edge. One device
converges traffic inside enclosures and directly connects to LANs and SANs.
Transitioning the server-to-network edge first to accommodate FCoE/DCB will maintain existing network
architecture, management roles, and the existing SAN and LAN topologies. Updating the server-to-network
edge offers the greatest benefit and simplification without disrupting the data center architecture.