Fibre Channel Primer

53
Chapter 8
SUMMARY
Fibre Channel brings to market reliable, high-performance, easy-to-
use, low-cost communications required by the new breed of data-
and communications-intensive applications. It provides new levels
of performance for storage and server networks. Fibre Channel’s high-
speed links offer more cost-effective solutions than today’s systems.
Fibre Channel enables heterogeneous clusters of storage, servers,
and workstations. It combines the attributes of a channel with those
of a network, a synthesis which results in a more reliable, faster, lower-
cost, simpler, and more efficient solution for IT systems.
Massive data warehouses and data marts enable better
management and delivery of data for improved decision making.
Highly available, scalable computer and storage clusters deliver
effective use of corporate resources. Enterprises have seen a storage
explosion, and Fibre Channel provides the means to manage storage
growth, while maintaining and increasing performance.
Fibre Channel is being used to provide fast, reliable networks
for mission avionics in military aircraft. The movie and video post-
production industry achieves tremendous increases in productivity
with Fibre Channel. The audio/video industry and the Fibre Channel
industry are defining the Fibre Channel enabled digital studio.
Fibre Channel is a fast, reliable data transport system that scales
to meet the requirements of any enterprise. Today, installations range
from small post-production systems on Fibre Channel loops to very
large CAD systems linking thousands of users into a switched Fibre
Channel network.
Fibre Channel is truly “cost effective.”