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BP1037 Transitioning to DCB with EqualLogic PS series Storage Solutions 17
4.3.2 Deployment example scenarios
As discussed in section 4.3.1, how you transition an existing data center to DCB, depends on your
goals. Below are few example scenarios and steps involved in transitioning to DCB.
4.3.2.1 Scenario 1: Simplify server (host) network connections
If the goal is to simplify the host network connections to several networks, following the below steps
would lead to a converged DCB network. Figure 8 shows a host’s connection path to LAN and SAN
with no DCB support.
Figure 8 Host with separate NICS to different networks
Step 1: Build a DCB core
The first step is adding DCB core switches in the existing network infrastructure to enable the DCB
transition.
Step 2: Add CNA’s at the host servers
In this phase adding 10Gb Converged Network Adapters (CNAs) will provide converged connectivity
between servers and the core-DCB switch before splitting the traffic to the legacy LAN and SAN
infrastructure. (Refer Figure 9)
Step 3: Update the bridge /gateway switch to support DCB
Assuming the arrays in SAN network are 10Gb arrays with DCB support, upgrading the firmware on
DCB capable switches or making hardware changes at the switch (the changes at the bridge switch to
enable DCB standards depends on the switch vendor and the specific switch’s capability ) would
enable these bridge switches for DCB compliance. Refer figure 9.