Networking

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The Abstracts

TCP/IP Inside the Data Center and Beyond
Dr. Joseph White
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This session provides an overview of TCP/IP high performance behavior for bulk data transfers in LAN, data center, and WAN environments. TCP/IP provides the underlying transport for iSCSI and FCIP. Within the data center understanding TCP/IP is important for converged networks not using FCoE. The effects of various drop patterns, the new Ethernet enhancements for the data center, and TCP/IP processing overhead will be explored. Outside the data center, TCP/IP provides the underlying transport for most of the bulk data transfers across wide area networks (WANs) including distance extension for block storage (iSCSI, FCIP, and iFCP), WAN acceleration for local TCP/IP sessions, and wide area file systems (WAFS) acceleration. The effects of high bandwidth, long latency, impaired, and congested networks as well as the TCP/IP modifications to mitigate these effects will be explored. A fundamental understanding of TCP/IP behaviors is essential for successful deployment of IP storage solutions.

Learning Objectives

• Technical Tutorial on TCP/IP Protocols
• Short distance (Intra-Data Center) TCP/IP Behavior
• Long distance (Inter-Data Center) TCP/IP Behavior

IP Storage Protocols: iSCSI
John Hufferd
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This tutorial will explain the fundamentals of iSCSI and explain deployments in various environments. The protocol is explained, its relationship to SCSI is explained, and the use of Software and Hardware iSCSI initiators and targets will be discussed as will the companion protocols for discovery and security.

Learning Objectives

• The attendee will get the fundamentals of iSCSI. This will include the packet formats, the main iSCSI protocols and they will understand how iSCSI can deliver Block Storage across an IP connection
• The attendee will understand the various Configurations/environments, and the various companion Processes.
• The attendee will gain an understanding of where iSCSI might fit within their storage environment.

PCI Express Impact On Storage Architectures and Future Data
Ron Emerick
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PCI Express Gen2 and Gen3, IO Virtualization, FCoE, SSD are here or coming soon. This session describes PCI Express, Single Root and Multi Root IO Virtualization and the implications on FCoE, SSD and impacts of all these changes on storage connectivity, storage transfer rates. The potential implications to Storage Industry and Data Center Infrastructures will also be discussed. This tutorial will provide the attendee with:

Learning Objectives

• Knowledge of PCI Express Architecture, PCI Express Roadmap, System Root Complexes and IO Virtualization. Expected Industry Roll Out of latest IO Technologies and required Root Complex capabilities.
• Implications and Impacts of FCoE, SSD and IO to Storage Connectivity
• IO Virtualization connectivity possibilities in the Data Center (via PCI Express). What does the 2020 Data Center look like?

pNFS, Parallel Storage for Grid, Virtualization and Database Computing
Joshua Konkle, Pranoop Erasani
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This session will appeal to Virtual Data Center Managers, Database Server administrators, and those that are seeking a fundamental understanding pNFS. This session will cover the four key reasons to start working with NFSv4 today. Explain the storage layouts for parallel NFS; NFSv4.1 Files, Blocks and T10 OSD Objects. We’ll conclude the session with use cases for database access, enterprise and desktop virtualization, including deduplication options.

Learning Objectives

• Learn the four reasons to deploy NFSv4 today; a prelude to pNFS
• Understand the three storage layouts for parallel NFS; not just files, but blocks and objects too
• Uses cases for databases, enterprise and desktop virtualization

Fibre Channel Over Ethernet (FCoE)
John Hufferd
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FCoE is a concept that encapsulates Fibre Channel frames into Ethernet Frames and amalgamates these technologies into a network fabric that can support Fibre Channel protocols and other Ethernet based protocols (such as TCP/IP, UDP/IP etc.). The presentation will show the general FCoE concept and describe how it might be exploited in a Data Center environment and its position with regards to FC and iSCSI. The requirements on the Ethernet Fabric for support of FC protocols will also be shown. The benefits of converged I/O (storage messaging, clustering, etc.) to the Data Center will be discussed. The state of the FCoE protocol (Standards position, probable adoption projections, etc.) will also be presented.

Learning Objectives

• The audience will gain a general understanding of the concept of using a Data Center type Ethernet for the transmission of Fibre Channel protocols.
• The audience will gain an understanding of the benefits of converged I/O and how a Fibre Channel protocol can share an Ethernet network with other Ethernet based protocols.
• The audience will gain an understanding of potential business value and configurations that will be appropriate for gaining maximum value from this converged I/O capability.

iSCSI : A Lossless Ethernet Fabric with DCB
Gary Gumanow, Jason Blosil
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A look at different storage technologies and a brief look at each; benefits/tradeoffs, making the case for a SAN. Then looking at making your SAN a lossless, high-performance, predictable, resource for your business. Well look at different storage protocols and how they compare to the OSI model, and the new DCB protocols. And lastly, I'll present some findings of using these technologies.

Learning Objectives

• Attendees will understand receive an overview and comparison of different storage technologies; DAS, NAS, SAN; and the benefits and tradeoffs with each technology
• A detailed look and comparison between three storage models; iSCSI, FC, and FCoE. Comparing all three to the OSI model. A discussion of the requirements for each layer of the networking stack.
• A look at the benefits that DCB can provide iSCSI, as a lossless Ethernet fabric. A review of performance and contention issues.