Fibre Channel Primer

18 Fibre Channel: Connection to the Future
Shared
storage
Scalable
High
performance
Data integrity
Fast data
access and
backup
Figure 3.2 Networks behind the server deliver flexibility
In a Fibre Channel network, legacy storage systems are
interfaced using a Fibre Channel-to-SCSI bridge. IP is used for server-
to-server and client/server communications.
Storage networks operate with both storage (SCSI) and
networking (IP) protocols. Servers and workstations use the Fibre
Channel network for shared access to the same storage device or
system. Legacy SCSI systems are interfaced using a Fibre Channel-
to-SCSI bridge.
Fibre Channel products have established a new level of
performance, delivering a sustained bandwidth of over 90 MB/second
for large file transfers and over ten thousand I/Os per second for
business-critical database applications. This new capability for open
systems storage is the reason Fibre Channel is the connectivity
standard for storage access.
NETWORKS
Fibre Channel networks provide enterprises new levels of performance
and reliability. The many network applications for Fibre Channel
include:
l Nonstop corporate backbone
l High-performance CAD/CAE network
JBOD
Servers SCSI Bridge
Fibre
Channel
RAID
SCSI
RAID
Switch or Hub