Fiber Channel (FC) is a serial data transfer protocol and standard for high-speed enterprise-grade storage networking. It supports speeds up to 128 Gbps and delivers storage data over fast optical networks.
FCOE maps Fiber Channel over full duplex Ethernet networks based IEEE 802.3 standard. By consolidating I/O, FCOE reduces cost and complexity by eliminating the necessity of establishing and parallel networks for storage and networking.
The following form shown the difference between Fiber Channel (FC) and Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCOE)
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Parameter |
FC |
FCOE |
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Abbreviation |
Fiber |
Channel Fiber Channel over Ethernet |
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Terminology
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Fiber Channel (FC) is a high-speed network technology running at various speeds -1, 2,4,8, 16,32, and 128 Gbps and used to connect computer data storage to servers. Fiber Channel is mainly used in storage area networks (SAN) in commercial data centers. |
Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) is a network technology thdt encapsulates Fiber Channel frames over Ethernet networks. This allows Fiber Channel to use 10 Gigabit Ethernet networks (or higher speeds) while maintaining the Fiber Channel protocol. |
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Working Mechanism
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Fiber Channel uses a source-based mechanism for filling the pipe, called Buffer Credits (also known as Buffer-to-Buffer Credrts). |
FCoE works on f^elver-based mechanism for ensuring lossless called Priority Flow Control. In case of FCoE thd receiving switch controls the flow of data. |
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Rdiability
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Requires very high reliability for communication.Not a single frame should be lost, and frames must be delivered in order. |
Less reliability requirement than communication over FCOE. |
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Platforms supporting |
Cisco MDS ,6520,0620,300 etc. |
Nexus 5K, Nexus 7K etc. |
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Cabling
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It allows a different method and physically separate cabling to be used throughout the datacenter. |
It allows a single method of cabling to be used throughout the datacenter, thus simplifying the number and type of cables being used |
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Infrastructure requirement
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High number to devices required since requires dedicated hardware to support Fiber Channel communication path and Data/application communication path |
Lesser number of devices required since we have converged communication for SAN and data/application using same path |
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Routable |
FC is Routable
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FCOE is non Routable. We require FCIP to extend or join FCoE SANs, even over short distances |
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Cost
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High cost since requires dedicated active and infrastructure to support FC (SAN) traffic. |
Low cost since same infrastructure is used for Data and SAN communication |
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Speed |
Up to 128 Gbps |
Up to 40 Gbps |
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Distance Supported |
Up to 10 km (OSI 9um SM) for 8 Gbps speed |
Up to 13 Km |