The Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) specifications have been developed with much fanfare and promise for efficiency in data center networking. Now that the FCoE standard is complete, discussions can center on the nuts-and-bolts requirements to support the highly anticipated protocol. This web-delivered seminar, produced by Cabling Installation & Maintenance, examines FCoE as a technology of promise, but also as another example of an application that will require specific performance from a cabling infrastructure.

Presentation 1: LANs and SANs in the data center

Providing a tutorial on data center layout, this presentation describes the two primary networks—local area network (LAN) and storage area network (SAN)—that run in data centers. It explains the functions of each network type, their similarities and differences, and the protocols often used within each. While Ethernet dominates the LAN environment, Fibre Channel has been a popular choice in SANs. This presentation provides a historical perspective on both Ethernet and Fibre Channel transmission speeds as well as the cabling infrastructure typically used to support those speeds.

Presentation 2: The Fibre Channel over Ethernet protocol

This presentation discusses the FCoE specification as it has been spelled out by the INCITS T11 Committee, tracing the standard’s origin and the rationale behind its development. FCoE has been a much-heralded technology, with supporters lauding its benefits and skeptics claiming it will not live up to the hype. This presentation is meant to remove hype from the equation, discussing the fundamentals of FCoE, its capabilities as well as its limitations.

Presentation 3: Cabling requirements and recommendations for FCoE

An organization that chooses to deploy FCoE will have to ensure it has the appropriate infrastructure to support the protocol. This presentation describes the first-layer requirements for FCoE transmission, paying specific attention to the cabling media’s performance level and construction type. It will guide data center users who are looking to deploy FCoE and want to ensure their cabling infrastructure is up to the task.

This web-delivered seminar, produced by Cabling Installation & Maintenance, examines FCoE as a technology of promise, but also as another example of an application that will require specific performance from a cabling infrastructure.

We help the world communicate, supplying network equipment, software solutions, and integration services for broadband, multiservice networks that deliver data, video, and voice communications over telephone, cable television, Internet, broadcast, wireless, and enterprise networks. Our mission is to enable communications service providers worldwide to serve their residential and business customers more efficiently. We achieve this with talented and dedicated employees who are complemented with a diverse resource of suppliers.

CommScope Enterprise Solutions, a division of CommScope, Inc., offers a complete portfolio of network infrastructure solutions that enable enterprise customers, regardless of size, industry or IT budget, to take advantage of business and technology opportunities. The division's SYSTIMAX® and Uniprise® product lines offer voice, data, video and converged solutions ranging from mission-critical, high-bandwidth and emerging applications to applications that demand unrelenting reliability and quality for everyday needs. Backed by CommScope Labs and a 20-year extended warranty, the product lines are delivered through a global channel network of industry leading BusinessPartners and distributors ensuring a consistent and high-level-of service and support worldwide.

CommScope, Inc. (NYSE: CTV) is a world leader in infrastructure solutions for communication networks. It is a global leader in radio frequency subsystems for wireless networks through its Andrew Wireless Solutions® brand and is the premier manufacturer of coaxial cable for broadband cable television networks. For more information visit http://www.commscope.com.