Convergence of Networking and Storage Solutions - Coursework Example

Convergence of Networking and Storage Solutions al Affiliation Introduction A few organizations can deny that they absolutely depend on the computer systems, and data stored in them for their operations and effective performance. The last few years have seen an exponential growth in the storage requirement in most organizations regardless of the prevailing economic climates. Krutov et al. (2014) notes that trends like the user-created content and the increased need for regulatory compliance has made it necessary for enterprises to store large volumes of data for an extended duration of time further stretching the abilities of such organizations. Such trends, coupled with the budget, physical space and management resource constraints have forced organizations to rethink their storage approaches. With increased amount of content to be stored, new and emerging technologies are giving enterprises options which they can use to meet their data storage needs. The evolution has also resulted in the convergence of various networking and storage solutions with the outcome being the emergence of better technologies which have more capabilities compared to the original ones. Convergence of Networking and Storage Solutions Racherla et al. (2014) defines convergence to be the use of common switching and cabling infrastructure as a replacement of the original and traditional disparate storage networks and servers. The convergence of the data storage network is currently in its infancy judging from how it has been embraced by organizations. However, it is a phenomenon which can be well seen in the various trends that are being used by organizations to increase their storage capabilities. The convergence of networks allows for the sharing of infrastructure and the outcome is not only seen in the storage capacity but also on the reduced costs. Schulz (2008) informs that sharing of infrastructure has simplified data management thereby allowing the IT team to strategically and effectively manage and protect the data assets of the organization. Ethernet forms the foundation of most converged networks today. The introduction of the 10GGb Ethernet provided the much needed bandwidth for network convergence (Racherla et al., 2014). Organizations are using and integrating converged networks due to the various advantages associated with them. Convergence allows the existing infrastructure to take the best out of the various networks being used to ensure that the storage capabilities of the overall system are enhanced. In addition, it simplifies the infrastructure which is being used and this simplification has allowed for the deployment of high availability options and solutions. In addition, it gives the foundation for not only service oriented but also a utility-based computing practice. Networking/Storage Topologies A majority of the existing convergence networking topologies are based on Storage Area Networks and Direct Attached Storage (DAS). DAS and SAN are usually connected behind the servers used by an organization or a company. SAN gives a block level access to the stored data. Orlando, K et al. (2015) defines block level access as the specific blocks of data found in a storage device. It is very much different from the file level access which is found in other networks. Due to its architecture, SAN has the capability of giving high availability coupled with continuity making it a very good option for companies dealing with huge volumes and sizes of data. There are two main topologies that are commonly used by enterprises in the converged SAN networks in order to increased data storage and handling capability. They are the Fiber Channel and the Fiber Channel over Ethernet. Some of the benefits of using these two topologies include high speed of access and a large set of management tools which allow the IT teams to effectively and efficiently manage data. Fiber Channel Fiber Channel (FC) refers to a SAN interconnection between data centers which are limited by geography. It is high speed serial interface used by organizations to connect servers to a variety of storage devices such as tape libraries and jukeboxes. In other cases, these open systems connect servers to servers so that increased capability is achieved. FC is the most dominant storage interface today with its fully meshed feature ensuring that it offers an excellent level of redundancy. It can operate in different speeds with the 8Gbs to 16Gbs being the dominant ones. Kim & Takano (2011) remark that the transmission distance in FC varies with the media in question, and the speed which is being used. It has the ability to support three connection topologies. They include the stitched fabric connection, point to point connection and the arbitrated loop. However, the witched loop is usually the best topology for this storage network since it can allow for a mesh within the network itself. In some instances, organizations connect FC in what Orlando, K et al. (2015) calls a fabric island connection. Fabric islands are topologies that connect FC fabrics which are geographically apart. The fabrics may be located in any place and do not necessarily require an IP. However, other organizations have included an IP to allow the system to reach greater lengths and reach out to other fabrics by means of routers. For the FC to be used for data access, consolidation of resources, backup and disaster recovery, additional connectivity may therefore be required. The use of FC gives organizations several advantages which are essential to the successful operation of the IT networks. (Racherla et al., 2014) notes that when this technology is used, the cable distance is greatly reduced. In most instances it requires about 30M in cabling distance to be in operation. This heavily contrasts with the 10KM distance needed in other traditional and commonly used technologies like the SCSI. It can as well reduce the devices required for the successful operation of the network. In some cases only sixteen devices are required making it a simple network to set up and maintain. This suffices in saving the resources of the organization using it. Orlando, K et al. (2015) also informs that the FC architecture allows for the sharing of devices among several servers. For an organization to use it, two options are available. The first one is to completely alter the network and buy the required FC disks, cables and HBAs. The second option is to install FC router between the disks and the servers. In all instances, the benefits of this converged technology will be felt in the long run despite the initial cost which may be incurred. Fiber Channel over Ethernet Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) is a technology which processes packets with lengths and distances which can be supported by Ethernet Network. It uses Converged Network Adapters to facilitate and allow for the passage of data packets across IP networks over the entire network of that organization with the geographical distance not being a hindrance. In order to ensure that there is replication between the storage systems over a given wide area networks, organizations add mechanisms which allow for the interconnection of FC and SAN infrastructure. The connection takes place over the selected IP infrastructure with the outcome being a unified fabric. In the network protocol stack, FCoE normally functions above Ethernet. This contrasts with the iSCI topology which only runs across router IP networks (Schulz, 2008). Due to the lack of priority based flow control in Ethernet, FCoE will always required enhancement to the common Ethernet standards so that they can support priority based control (Joseph & Mulugu, 2014). This is conceivably one of the key variances between FC and FCoE. Due to cost issues organizations at times make FC to have FCoE capabilities. For the common FC to deliver the same outcomes as the FCoE, three extensions are required. First the native FC frames must be encapsulated into the Ethernet frames. Secondly, it has to be extended to a fiber protocol so that Ether net Fabrics are made available. The final enhancement is the mapping of the FC Port IDs with the Ethernet MAC address. According to Racherla et al. (2014), the FCoE has effectively combined the FC with the capability of Ethernet to give the users a converged SAN network, sever to server connectivity as well as a client server connectivity. The client server connectivity is commonly referred to as the LAN traffic. In addition, the technology facilitates the provision of service metadata which in most instances is referred to as the server sync heartbeat. Combining the FC capabilities with the functions associated Ethernet makes it possible for the data centers within an organization to consolidate the network infrastructure and the I/O infrastructure to form a converged system. With this in place, the IT team will have greatly reduced the initial capital as well as the operating costs. Such convergences is also instrumental in the reduction of the cabling spaces, the power and energy use and the heat coming out of the storage systems and networks. Joseph & Mulugu (2014) notes that FCoE will always look like the FC to the rest of the server, storage systems as well as to the OS upper layers. With this, it is able to preserve the already existing and functioning FC storage utility and management software. It is for this ability that it has always been claimed that it has the future capability and capacity of delivering storage solutions without any TCP complexity and latency issues. A majority of businesses have been drawn to the use of the technology basically because it is made up of two other technologies and typologies which have been tested and proven in the market. The organizations can connect datacenters by means of FCoE to enhance their storage capacities. It is a technology that has the potential of not only preserving the past but also the present as well as the future investment in data storage systems and networks. Conclusion The Storage Area Networks are one of the main components s of the converge networks which are currently being used in the world. The Fiber Channel and the Fiber Channel over Ethernet have several advantages which make them to be widely applied in the storage and management of data. The availability of the requited bandwidth for the applications of the networks has allowed organizations to boost storage capabilities. With the incorporation of Ethernet, the networks are capable of supporting dual movement of data which doubles the flow of traffic over that given network. Despite the fact that moving from the traditional channels of storage to the converged ones is costly, the benefits which are realized in the long run are very essential to the overall success of enterprises. It is for this reason that enterprises are increasing their bandwidths and server switch speeds to be able to integrate these technologies to support their business needs. Reference List Joseph, V & Mulugu, S 2014, Network Convergence: Ethernet Applications and Next Generation Packet Transport Architectures. Elsevier Inc., Waltham. Kim, Y & Takano, M 2011, Management of Convergence Networks and Services. Springer Science & Business Media, New York. Krutov, I, Irwin,S, Lorditch,S & Slavin, M 2014, NIC Virtualization in IBM Flex System Fabric Solutions. IBM Redbooks, New York. Orlando, K et al. 2015, Implementing IBM Flash System 840.IBM Redbooks, New York. Racherla, S, Erdenberger, S, Rajagopal, H & Ruth, K 2014, Storage and Network Convergence Using FCoE and ISCSI. International Business Machines Corporation, New York. Schulz, G 2008, “Storage & data management: fiber channel over Ethernet”, International IT Journal, vol. 45, no. 9, pp.123-200. Read More