First Implementation of FCoE by NetApp

NetApp announced that it will be the first storage vendor to offer native Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) SAN storage solutions. FCoE support extends NetApp’s unified storage architecture, enabling customers to address changing business needs and opportunities with flexible data access across all protocols. NetApp has been an active participant in the development and ecosystem coordination of the FCoE standard, which achieved another important milestone recently as it moved from the development phase to the review phase within the T11 standards body.

As a leader in Ethernet storage, NetApp offers Ethernet-based storage solutions that provide data center customers with increased performance capabilities and the ability to more easily scale their IT infrastructure in virtual environments. FCoE extends Fibre Channel into the Ethernet environment, combining two leading technologies to provide customers with more options for SAN connectivity and networking. As a result, customers benefit more from streamlined IT operations and higher staff productivity. With its support of FCoE as part of its unified storage architecture, NetApp will also enable its customers to be better prepared to adapt to their ever-changing business and IT needs. The unified architecture allows customers to take advantage of the same software and management tools for both Fibre Channel SAN and FCoE for increased flexibility and ease of use.

NetApp’s support of data networking products from partners such as Cisco, Emulex, and QLogic enhances the company’s ability to provide customers with the networking technologies needed to augment their data centers. These data networking solutions allow NetApp customers to consolidate their data centers, protect their existing SAN investments, and transition their SAN infrastructure over time. By simplifying the data center, customers will be able to lower their power and cooling requirements for increased efficiency. In addition, NetApp announced today its support of the Cisco Nexus 5020 switch, which enhances NetApp’s ability to provide customers with a simplified data center infrastructure and further bolsters its lineup of Fibre Channel solutions. The Nexus 5000 series is designed for data centers making the transition to 10-Gigabit Ethernet as well as for those ready to deploy a unified fabric. The Nexus 5020 switch will be available in November.

"Cisco shares NetApp’s goals to deliver storage networking solutions that improve business agility and reduce both cost and power consumption," said Jackie Ross, vice president of Marketing in Cisco’s Server Access and Virtualization business unit. "FCoE and a unified fabric for the data center are key technologies that will help our customers to create next-generation data centers that are agile, resilient, and more productive."

"As the data center evolves toward a converged network, Emulex is working closely with ecosystem partners including NetApp to deliver FCoE-based solutions that will support customers’ server virtualization and consolidation initiatives," said Taufik Ma, vice president of Product Marketing, Emulex Corporation. "Emulex FCoE Converged Network Adapters leverage field-proven Fibre Channel technology, providing reduced data center complexity and costs while protecting existing SAN infrastructure investments."

"NetApp has achieved a major milestone for FCoE technology by announcing the first native FCoE storage. QLogic and NetApp have been working very closely for over a year to successfully bring the first FCoE products to market," said Amit Vashi, vice president of Marketing, QLogic Host Solutions Group. "QLogic’s 8000 Series CNAs combined with NetApp(R) native FCoE storage will help IT executives realize the benefits of data and storage networking convergence without sacrificing their investments in existing Fibre Channel SAN management tools."

"Enterprise companies today are looking to transition to a converged data center, and FCoE is going to play a big part in that move," said Patrick Rogers, vice president of Solutions Marketing, NetApp. "With companies keeping a closer eye than ever on their IT budgets, data center convergence will enable them to reduce their costs and power requirements. As a leader in FCoE, NetApp will be at the forefront in helping customers realize the benefits of a more streamlined and efficient data center."

To listen to Jeff O’Neal, senior director of Data Center Solutions at NetApp, discuss NetApp’s Ethernet solutions, including FCoE