Storage VDC - Why do we require Storage VDC on Nexus 7Ks?

[Beacon Bits]

Hello,

I took over this network

I have a scenario where:

Fabric_A    7K---> 55K ---> Server

                    |---> 56K ---> Server

Fabric_B    7K---> 5K ---> Server 

                   |---> 56K ---> Server

I have Storage VDC on the 7K as well.

But I'm unable to understand why do we need Storage VDC on n7K? 

What sort of DC design requires to have Storage VDC?

Regards,

B

[mojafri]

Hi @Beacon Bits,

Storage VDC is used in SAN infra, in case of 7K its FCoE. So to answer your question: 

why do we need Storage VDC on n7K? 

For FCoE.

What sort of DC design requires to have Storage VDC?

When you want SAN.

More can be found here: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/nexus7000/sw/fcoe/config/cisco_nexus7000_fcoe_config_guide/storage_vdc_on_cisco_nexus_7000_series_switches.html

Please rate if you find it helpful. 

Regards,

MJ

[Beacon Bits]

Thanks, MJ.

Could you explain a bit more, please?

If FCoE is enabled on 55K or 56K then do you think we still need Storage VDC?

OR

Can SAN be built without Storage VDC? If not then why?

Regards,

B

[mojafri]

@Beacon Bits,

Sure, its purely depends on your required and the device capability. 7K only supports FCoE, NO native FC support!. So typical SAN environment with 7K would be like: 

 

If FCoE is enabled on 55K or 56K then do you think we still need Storage VDC?

Depends on design and requirement. 

OR

Can SAN be built without Storage VDC? If not then why?

No. For SAN you need FC or FCoE, and for FCoE to work on 7K, you need storage VDCs. 

Please go through the guide which I shared earlier to get more clarity, its a very vast topic :) 

Regards,

MJ