Installation guide

Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE)
25
Installation and Configuration
Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE)
EMC supports QLogic Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE)
Converged Network Adapter (CNA). FCoE adapters represent a
method to converge both Fibre Channel and Ethernet traffic over a
single physical link to a switch infrastructure that manages both
storage (SAN) and network (IP) connectivity within a single unit.
The benefits of FCoE technology become apparent in large data
centers:
◆ Where dense, rack-mounted and blade server chassis exist
◆ Where physical cable topology simplification is a priority
◆ In virtualization environments, where several physical storage
and network links are commonly required
The installation of the QLogic FCoE CNA provides the host with an
Intel-based 10 Gb Ethernet interface (using the existing in-box
drivers), and a QLogic Fibre Channel adapter interface
Upon installation of the proper driver for the FCoE CNA, the Fibre
Channel interface will function identically to that of a standard
QLogic Fibre Channel HBA. The FCoE CNA simply encapsulates
Fibre Channel traffic within Ethernet frames. As such, FC-based
content within this guide also applies directly to QLogic FCoE CNAs.
In-depth information about FCoE and its supported features and
topologies can be found in the "Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE)"
chapter of the EMC Networked Storage Topology Guide, available
through E-Lab Interoperability Navigator at:
http://elabnavigator.EMC.com.
For CNA configuration procedures, refer to “FCoE converged
network adapter (CNA) procedures” on page 91.