Specifications

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McDATA Products in a SAN Environment - Planning Manual
Implementing SAN Internetworking Solutions
mFCP to iFCP
Comparison
Table 4-3 compares mFCP to iFCP and summarizes the features of
each protocol.
Inter-FlexPar Routing When the FlexPar feature is enabled for an Intrepid 10000 Director,
the director is divided into multiple sub-directors, each operating
with independent management and services. This consolidates
application-based SAN islands, but does not enable device sharing
between the SAN islands (sub-directors). Inter-FlexPar routing
connects a SAN router to the Intrepid 10000 Director to enable
authorized (zoned) communication between FlexPars. This is a
unique application of SAN routing that enables communication
between sub-directors in the same physical chassis, as opposed to
routing between physically separate fabric elements.
Table 4-3 mFCP Versus iFCP
Feature mFCP iFCP
Purpose LAN protocol to support short-distance SAN
router connectivity
WAN Protocol to support extended-distance
SAN router connectivity
OSI Layer 4 protocol User datagram protocol Transmission control protocol
Link latency Low High
Link bandwidth High Low
Intelligent port operation No Yes
FastWrite support No Yes
Rate limiting support No Yes
Data compression support No Yes
Provides IEEE 802.3x flow control Yes Yes
Provides IEEE 802.3AD link
aggregation
Yes No
SAN routers must be configured on
same subnet
Yes No