As we know common opinion is that Fibre Channel is for data center and iSCSI is for small and medium sized business. Actually this belief is WRONG. Choosing if you want to use Fibre Channel of iSCSI is a lot more complex than that.
Performance
When we will look at this matter focusing on performance, we can notice that iSCSI made a very big steps in improving data transfers in past year. Now we can use even 10Gb Ethernet while Fibre Channel can use 8Gb. Soon we will be able to see improvements as big as 40 to 100Gb on iSCSI and 16 to 32Gb on Fibre Channel.
Another important matter except transfer speed is latency. Although iSCSI on 10Gb Ethernet can carry more data than 8Gb Fibre Channel, it also benefit from lower latencies!
Decision
If you would like to choose if you are either going for FCoE or iSCSI you would need to think about those four main reasons:
1. Data center strategy
2. Performance needs
3. Desire for compatibility
4. Cost concerns
It all depends on for what you would like to use your network any answer isn’t perfect one. In some cases FCoE will be cheaper then iSCSI but in some cases quite the opposite.
iSCSI is more easier to implement since hardware and software drivers are available for nearly every operating system. That makes it a great choice for new storage networks.
FCoE is more focusing on evolution on already existing Fibre Channel storage networks. Least popular type of building Fibre Channel network is end-to-end FCoE SAN but in near future that type will be the most commonly used.
Final Decision
FCoE is a new evolution of already existing Fibre Channel networks and it is suitable for companies that already own Fibre Channel equipment. On the other hand it is still under development therefore some features may be unreliable.
iSCSI is a proven technology that can be adapted to in any Ethernet network without any additional costs (if you would like to use software iSCSI Targets). It is also easier to manage since many administrator already know Ethernet networks.
Which one is better? It all depends on your current and future needs.
Source:
http://goo.gl/4hKQc
iStorage Server - Software iSCSI Target:
http://www.kernsafe.com/product/istorage-server.aspx
(Free version also available.)
Performance
When we will look at this matter focusing on performance, we can notice that iSCSI made a very big steps in improving data transfers in past year. Now we can use even 10Gb Ethernet while Fibre Channel can use 8Gb. Soon we will be able to see improvements as big as 40 to 100Gb on iSCSI and 16 to 32Gb on Fibre Channel.
Another important matter except transfer speed is latency. Although iSCSI on 10Gb Ethernet can carry more data than 8Gb Fibre Channel, it also benefit from lower latencies!
Decision
If you would like to choose if you are either going for FCoE or iSCSI you would need to think about those four main reasons:
1. Data center strategy
2. Performance needs
3. Desire for compatibility
4. Cost concerns
It all depends on for what you would like to use your network any answer isn’t perfect one. In some cases FCoE will be cheaper then iSCSI but in some cases quite the opposite.
iSCSI is more easier to implement since hardware and software drivers are available for nearly every operating system. That makes it a great choice for new storage networks.
FCoE is more focusing on evolution on already existing Fibre Channel storage networks. Least popular type of building Fibre Channel network is end-to-end FCoE SAN but in near future that type will be the most commonly used.
Final Decision
FCoE is a new evolution of already existing Fibre Channel networks and it is suitable for companies that already own Fibre Channel equipment. On the other hand it is still under development therefore some features may be unreliable.
iSCSI is a proven technology that can be adapted to in any Ethernet network without any additional costs (if you would like to use software iSCSI Targets). It is also easier to manage since many administrator already know Ethernet networks.
Which one is better? It all depends on your current and future needs.
Source:
http://goo.gl/4hKQc
iStorage Server - Software iSCSI Target:
http://www.kernsafe.com/product/istorage-server.aspx
(Free version also available.)
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