FCoE allows the fast, reliable network protocol (Fibre Channel) to run over Ethernet infrastructure. Using FCoE, enterprises will eventually be able to eliminate an entire shadow network of cabling, connectors, cards and management.
"FCoE is really going to eliminate a lot of cables," says Rob Stevenson, managing director of storage research for TheInfoPro, a New York-based industry analyst firm. Fewer cables mean less complexity, fewer errors and fewer outages, he says.
While FCoE is promising, the technology is still maturing. FCoE isn't ready for large-scale deployment in production systems. However, with the imminent approval of the FCoE standard, it's not too early to start investigating how the technology might fit into your data center plans.
FCoE allows network equipment to transmit Fibre Channel data frames over 10 Gbps or faster Ethernet infrastructures. Using FCoE, you’ll be able to wire once for Ethernet (the less costly of the two networks) and use it to transfer both types of data. You’ll need just one converged network adapter card, rather than two network interface cards and two host bus adapters. Because you have half the networking equipment you would otherwise need, you save roughly half the cost of powering, cooling, cabling and storing that equipment.
Beyond savings, enterprises are looking to FCoE to "simplify the movement of virtual servers and to replicate data across the network," says Stevenson. In fact, adds Jieming Zhu, an HP distinguished technologist, converged networks "offer the potential for end-to-end dynamic resource provisioning, re-purposing and migration in a completely virtualized data center."
The FCoE standard is in its final stage for ratification. FCoE also relies on the approval of the Converged Enhanced Ethernet (CEE) standard. Now in draft form, the CEE extension adds highly reliable (or "lossless") data transfer to Ethernet. FCoE relies on this extension to match Fibre Channel's reliability.
Stevenson, however, says unresolved standards issues "are not as difficult as compatibility and interoperability testing." It’s premature to make big investments in FCoE before specifications are finalized and before hardware based on those final specifications is in large-scale production, Zhu points out. The first converged network adapters, based on the CEE draft standard, are only now becoming available.
IT organizations, too, need time to merge staff, operations and strategy around a converged network. "It's a significant technology change that impacts not just network and storage operations, but server operations, as well," says Zhu. "This level of fundamental change just can't happen overnight by the flip of a switch." In fact, organizational changes associated with converged networks won't be complete for another three or four years, TheInfoPro survey found.
For now, the technology is being deployed in a measured fashion, starting with small, segregated pilot projects. Then, as the technology matures and data center staff adapt, enterprises can proceed with larger deployments.
Eventually, FCoE will benefit many enterprises, and HP "will be among the first to ship a full line of FCoE products, when the time is right," says Zhu. And, as always, the company will play the role of trusted advisor to help you determine when and how FCoE is a smart investment for your organization.
