FC vs. FCoE

[a.hajhamad]

hello,

1- Does the Cisco UCS 2208XP support 2/4/8 Gb Fiber Channel connectivity for the external ports. i.e. can we connect the UCS 2208XP directly to SAN storage with host ports only 2/4/8 Gb FC?

2- can we connect the UCS 6248 FI directly to the SAN storage with host ports 2/4/8 Gb FC?

3- In general, can we connect one device that supports only native FC ports to other device that supports only FCoE?

4- what is the difference between FC and FCoE? do the FCoE is a new protocol in comparison to FC?

5- can we connect the Tape Library and Backup to disk system appliance using FC 2/4/8 to the USC 6248 FI directly?

Thanks in advance

[Brian Morrissey · Accepted solution]

1- Does the Cisco UCS 2208XP support 2/4/8 Gb Fiber Channel connectivity for the external ports. i.e. can we connect the UCS 2208XP directly to SAN storage with host ports only 2/4/8 Gb FC?

The 2208XP is only wired up from the blade chassis to FI

2- can we connect the UCS 6248 FI directly to the SAN storage with host ports 2/4/8 Gb FC?

Yes, if the FI is in FC switch mode and the SAN array is present on the interop matrix:
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/servers-unified-computing/unified-computing-system/products-technical-reference-list.html

3- In general, can we connect one device that supports only native FC ports to other device that supports only FCoE?

No, the two devices would need to speak a common protocol

The UCS FI can be configured to work with either protocol (FC/FCoE) though

4- what is the difference between FC and FCoE? do the FCoE is a new protocol in comparison to FC?

FCoE is a newer protocol that encapsulates FC over Ethernet

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/data-center-virtualization/fibre-channel-over-ethernet-fcoe/index.html#~benefits

5- can we connect the Tape Library and Backup to disk system appliance using FC 2/4/8 to the USC 6248 FI directly?

No, tape libraries are not supported directly connected to the FI
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/servers-unified-computing/unified-computing-system/products-technical-reference-list.html

[a.hajhamad]

Thank you, it is a direct and valuable answers.

my new question regarding point no. 5: we are planning to connect tape library, backup to disk appliance, storage controllers, and also we have old rack mount servers and we will purchase a new HBA cards to be installed in those rack mount servers and we will connect them to the UCS 6248 FI. I see that the tape libraries are not supported to be connected to the UCS 6248 FI switches, what about rack mount servers with HBA cards and also the backup to disk appliance?

if we shift to FC switch mode as mentioned in order to connect the SAN storage, can we connect the UCS 2208 XP uplinks to the UCS 6248 FI while it is in FC switch mode?

Thanks

[Walter Dey · Accepted solution]

Only Cisco servers (C-Series) connected to the FI (via FEX or directly) are TAC supported.

No support for tapes directly connected to FI.

If you want to do this, go for a external SAN fabric, with FI in FC end host mode.

[a.hajhamad]

Thank you.

Regarding the last question "if we shift to FC switch mode as mentioned in order to connect the SAN storage, can we connect the UCS 2208 XP uplinks to the UCS 6248 FI while it is in FC switch mode?"

can you explain or answer it?

Thanks in advance

[Walter Dey]

Yes of course !

The communication between chassis and embedded 2208 and FI is always based on FCoE (in case you do FC), which is totally independent whether FI is in FC switch or end host mode.

FC switch mode is only used, when connecting FC storage devices directly to FI, zoning is done in the context of the service profile !

If you connect FI to external FC switches (e.g. MDS or Brocade), you should go with FI in FC end host mode.

Walter.