Module 7: IP SAN, FCoE, NVMe-OF (FCIP Overview)

Question 1

What is FCIP?

Answer 1

tunneling protocol that encapsulates FC frames into IP packets

Question 2

How does FCIP work?

Answer 2

uses an IP network to transport FC SAN traffic

Question 3

What is the purpose if FCIP?

Answer 3

to extend an FC SAN over distances that exceed maximum native FC connectivity - 200KM/125Mi

Question 4

What is the primary use case for implementing FCIP?

Answer 4

to interconnect FC storage over WAN distances - interconnect main FC SAN to geographically remote FC SANs for DR/continuity

Question 5

What is TCP used for in FCIP?

Answer 5

for flow control and in-order packet delivery

Question 6

What is required for FCIP connectivty?

Answer 6

does not require modifying FC SAN - needs MP Switch - also known and FCIP gateway

Question 7

How is a MP Switch configured in a FCIP network?

Answer 7

contains both FC and Ethernet ports - at each FC SAN the FC Port is configured as an E Port and connected to FC Switch

port receives frames and sends them to be encapsulated into IP packets forwarded to Ethernet port

Ethernet port connected to LAN and routed to WAN to connect to remote facility

Question 8

What can be a cause of FC Frame encapsulation?

Answer 8

can cause IP Packet to be fragmented - occurs when data link cannot support the maximum transmission unit (MTU) size of a IP Packet

Question 9

What happens once data reaches the primary MP Switch?

Answer 9

will take entire FC frame and encapsulate into TCP/OP packet than ship over LAN to secondary MP switch

Question 9

What happens in a write operation in FCIP?

Answer 9

anytime prod host sends data to primary storage it will be stored on memory and shipped over FC to MP switch - will than connect MP switches over IP network

Question 10

What happens once the data reaches the secondary MP Switch?

Answer 10

will decapsulate the TCP/IP packet than send FC Frame to FC SAN