Cisco Systems Inc, NetApp Inc. and VMware Inc. have certified an end-to-end Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) solution for VMware-virtual environments. The idea, the companies said in a news release, is to reduce the number of devices and cables needed and to drive data center consolidation, virtualization, and automation. The trio, who have long been partners,say the move also helps advance the FCoE protocol.
VMware validated Cisco Nexus 5000 Series switches and NetApp FAS series unified storage support FCoE protocol in virtual environments running VMware vSphere. The solution is now listed on the VMware Hardware Compatibility Guide, with support offered by all three companies.
The press release says FCoE is a key protocol in delivering a unified data center fabric and can provide significant savings by reducing the number of adapters, cables, and network infrastructure devices needed in a dynamic data center. It also reduces space, cooling, and power, as well as offers greater, higher performing utilization of the data center networks.
“This validation of FCoE in virtual environments further illustrates how lossless 10 Gigabit (Gb) Ethernet has become the foundational building block for a unified data center infrastructure.” the release says.
The three companies have already released several design architectures and end-to-end solutions for FCoE, long distance application mobility and secure multi-tenancy.