Skip Links

DNSstuff.com
Get information about your IP
IP Information
50+ On-demand DNS and network tools

Data Center

Videos

rssRss Feed
Get instant email notification when white papers, webcasts, executive guides are added to our library.  Stay informed and up-to-date with the latest on IT Technologies with Network World's Resource Alerts.
Audio

Don't get 'Green Scammed'. Listen now!

Network World's Newsmaker of the Week

Cisco opens ISR routers to developers; SaaS providers cut costs with open source. Listen now!

Network World 360

Additional Resources

RSS

FEATURED WHITEPAPERS

Core PCI Requirements for Windows and Active Directory NetPro

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a set of industry regulations imposed by the major credit card companies to ensure the safety, security, and integrity of cardholder data. Any business that processes, stores, and transmits cardholder account data must comply with this complex new standard, and must be able to demonstrate that compliance through automated and manual audits of their systems. This white paper looks at the key challenges and requirements of PCI DSS as it relates to Microsoft Windows and Active Directory, and shows you how a third-party software solution can help with PCI compliance.

RSS

FEATURED REPORTS

Executive Guide: Storage Heats Up HP

Get the latest on storage technologies that allow IT professionals to better cope with new IT demands. Learn how storage technologies can help you successfully tackle e-Discover, regulatory compliance, green data center initiatives and the data explosion. Get all the details now.

RSS

FEATURED WEBCASTS

Reduce Complexity and Cost - Windows Server Consolidation with Virtualization from Novell Novell

There are many compelling reasons for virtualizing Windows and Linux applications. Virtualization improves server utilization by allowing you to run multiple workloads on a single physical server. It reduces the number of physical servers you have to maintain, while allowing you to use less physical space and power while still improving scalability. All of these capabilities translate directly into lower costs, less complexity, and greater flexibility in your mixed IT environment. Register below to learn more and be entered to win an Archos 605 Portable Media Player.

IT Buyer's Guides

View All Buyer's Guides

Free Newsletters

Sign up and receive the latest news, reviews and trends on your favorite technology topics

Save The Date!
What They Are Saying

Its not hard to keep on eye on how much bandwidth that you are using, check out this page for more info: http://technicianspot.blogspot.com/2008/05/monitor-bandwidth.html- Anonymous

Join the Discussion

Partner Content

Explore the Ultrium Edge

The powerful tape technology can address data security with tape encryption as well as long term data protection.

Find out more

Disk and Tape Square Off

Discover what disk and tape really cost -- and which solution provides lower total cost of ownership and optimizes energy use for your organization

Download the White Paper

Don't Fall For The Myths

The Clipper Group explores the truth behind the myths of tape, digging into the misconceptions in the disk vs. tape debate.

Download the White Paper

Will You Add Tape Too?

Over two thirds of disk-only users look to add tape back into storage infrastructure according to recent survey.

Download Survey Information

FCoE's 10Gbit/sec should be in your future

By John Webster , Computerworld , 04/05/2008
  • Social Web 
  • Email 
  • Feedback 
  • Close

It's highly likely that, if you follow the comings and goings of storage networking technology, then by now you've at least heard of the emerging Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) standard working its way through the INCITS process (see " New Fibre Channel over Ethernet standard proposed "). To level-set, FCoE is a method of encapsulating the packets that would normally flow across a Fibre Channel storage network (SAN) for transmission over Ethernet link. Think 10Gbps Ethernet for practical purposes. However, unlike other FC-to-Ethernet encapsulation methods like FCIP and iFCP, FCoE lives within the same OSI layer as IP, enabling enhanced performance, lossless frame transmission, and some other goodies.

FCoE fits nicely with the Data Center Transformation themes now playing at your favorite IT vendor's Web site. FCoE is all about the convergence of data center storage and data communications fabrics as 10 GbE rolls out-Ethernet for all and all for Ethernet.

Maybe the thought of combining storage I/O and networking fabrics within the data center has you chomping at the bit. On the other hand, maybe it doesn't. Either way, as the FCoE bandwagon parades across your screen, here are some questions worth considering:

Who within the data center operations group will manage the converged fabric? A converged fabric will require at least some convergence at the IT and data center staff level as well. Are you comfortable with that? Are you prepared for it?

Will you have to learn a new language? Sorry, but yes. Do you know what a CNA is? It's a Converged Network Adapter. Think of a CNA as being in the same general category as an HBA. Does it work like an HBA? Sorta. Then there's Data Center Ethernet, otherwise known as Converged Enhanced Ethernet (CEE)-- two competing names for the same standard. Hey, just what everyone needs-new acronyms!

Will due diligence be required? You bet. Expect needing to investigate interoperability, drivers, cabling, connectors, standards versioning, FICON support, buffer credits, etc. etc. etc.

1 | 2 |  Next >
Comment
Login
Forgot your account info?
Add comment
Anonymous comments subject to moderator approval. Register here for member benefits.
Have a NetworkWorld account? Log in here. Register now for a free account.
First Name
Last Name
E-mail
Zip Code