Fibre Channel Switch

text size AAA Published March 31, 2010

Overview

A Fibre Channel switch is associated with storage networking and provides connectivity in networks of storage devices. Fibre Channel switches facilitate the creation of core storage network components including the Fibre Channel fabric. This core component enables features for many-to-many communication, redundancy, and security. These switches also assist with zoning, a feature where unwanted traffic is removed between configurable fabric nodes. A Fibre Channel director is a switch that has a minimum of 128 ports. Fibre Channel switches can either be used as a single switch, or they can be deployed in multi-switch configurations. Used in high-speed storage networking technology, these switches have specific topologies. Issues with interoperability of these switches, which were initially a problem, were resolved with newer technologies.

There are a number of factors to consider before you purchase a Fibre Channel switch for your network. Features include brand, number of ports, performance, architecture, and price. Costs will vary based on the features that you optimize.

Benefits

Fibre Channel switches benefit organizations that build infrastructures to share between different users. These switches support multiple protocols and high-performance data transfers. Fibre channel switches are optimized for high-performance storage area network (SAN) extensions. High-density switches support hardware based on virtual fabric isolation. Fibre Channel switches are flexible, easy to maintain, and versatile. These switches can be efficiently managed and enable remote SAN extensions.

How It Works

While setting up a SAN, it is important to understand compatible switches. A SAN uses Fibre Channel switches to interconnect with servers and storage. Switches are primarily used to segregate network traffic and ensure that the desired file packet is sent to the correct destination. The switch examines each data packet sent through the Fibre Channel and determines its origin and destination before forwarding the data packet to its intended destination.

Two classes of Fibre Channel switches are available: the first class includes single switches, and the second class includes multiple switches. While a single switch can be used in simple networks, larger networks require the use of multiple switches. It is necessary to use multiple switches that are connected through fiber optic cables to facilitate effective data transmission and storage, especially in large networks. For this purpose, there are different topologies for port connections: point-to-point, arbitrated loop, and switched fabric.