Networking

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The Abstracts

Technical Overview of Data Center Networks
Dr. Joseph White
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With the completion of the majority of the various standards used within the Data Center plus the wider deployment of I/O consolidation and converged networks, a solid comprehension of how these networks will behave and perform is essential. This tutorial covers technology and protocols used to construct and operate Data Center Networks. Particular emphasis will be placed on clear and concise tutorials of the IEEE Data Center Bridging protocols (PFC, DCBX, ETS, QCN, etc), data center specific IETF protocols (TRILL, etc), fabric based switches, LAG, and QoS. QoS topics will address head of line blocking, incast, microburst, sustained congestion, and traffic engineering.

Single and Multi Switch Designs With FCoE
Chad Hintz
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This Session will cover design considerations and traffic flow for the following 4 Fibre Channel Over Ethernet Design Scenarios:
1. Ethernet MLAG technologies with FCOE
2. FIP Snooping Bridges and their traffic flow and troubleshooting with FCOE
3. Multi-Hop FCOE with NPV
4. Multi-Hop FCOE with VE ports

The Unintended Consequences of Converged Data Center Deployment Models
Simon Gordon
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The last two years have seen FCoE move from buzz to production deployments. As this has happened many customers and vendors have had to start dealing with the many of the unintended and unexpected consequences that arise as a result of the move to a converged infrastructure. Customers and partners are seeing differences and challenges in a number of areas including
* Changes in the server redundant nic model due to io consolidation and CNA operating models
*Tension between storage dual independent rail and Ethernet/ip fully connected networks
*Differences in the HA assumptions around Ethernet/IP and FC platforms
*Implications in the L2/L3/Firewall deployment model resulting from end to end FCoE *Implications of multi protocol storage networks (mixed has iscsi fcoe big-data)-*Challenges in maintain the traditional rigorous FC Qualification Matrix / Firmware requirements model.

During this session we will examine these areas and review both the challenges and some potential solutions to meet the full datacenter requirements list.

Learning Objectives

What are the implications on server/storage connectivity in a converged network
What are the implications on HA design in a converged network
What are the operational/support implications in terms of configuration control and firmware release support

FCoE Direct End-Node to End-Node (a/k/a FCoE VN2VN)
John Hufferd
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A new concept has just been accepted for standardized in the Fibre Channel (T11) standards committee; it is called FCoE VN2VN (aka Direct End-Node to End-Node). The FCoE standard which specifies the encapsulation of Fibre Channel frames into Ethernet Frames is being extended to permit FCoE connections Directly between FC/FCoE End-Nodes. The tutorial will show the Fundamentals of the extended FCoE concept that permits it to operate without FC switches or FCoE Switches (aka FCF) and will describe how it might be exploited in Small, Medium or Enterprise Data Center environments -- including the "Cloud" IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) provider environments

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 without the need for an FCoE Forwarder (FCF).
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 and establishes a virtual FCoE link directly between the End-Nodes.
The audience will gain an understanding of potential business value and configurations that will be appropriate for gaining maximum value from this Direct End-Node to End-Node including the value of this protocol to the "Cloud" IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) provider.

PCI Express IO Virtualization Overview
Ron Emerick
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PCI Express IO Virtualization Specifications working with System Virtualization allowing multiple operating systems running simultaneously within a single computer system to natively share PCI Express Devices. This session describes PCI Express, Single Root and Multi Root IO Virtualization. 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 and Performance Capabilities, System Root Complexes and IO Virtualization.
The ability for IO Virutalization to change the use of IO Options in systems.
IO Virtualization connectivity possibilities in the Data Center (via PCI Express).

IP Storage Protocols: iSCSI
John Hufferd
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The session will explain the various parts of iSCSI: Network encapsulations of iSCSI PDUs; Session Relationship to SCSI and TCP/IP Connections; iSCSI flow from Initiator to Target; Error Recovery, Discovery and Security. It will also explain Companion Processes of Boot, SLP, & iSNS. And the session will describe iSCSI Environments from the small office, to the High End Enterprise. This session is appropriate for end user and developers of iSCSI technologies. Summary: 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.

Fibre Channel Over Ethernet (FCoE)
John Hufferd
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The Fibre Channel (T11.3) standards committee developed a Standard called Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) The FCoE standard specifies the encapsulation of Fibre Channel frames into Ethernet Frames and the amalgamation of these technologies into a network fabric that can support Fibre Channel protocols and other protocols such as TCP/IP, UDP/IP etc. A “Direct End-to-End” FCoE variant has been accepted for the next version of the Standard The tutorial will show the Fundamentals of these FCoE concepts and describe how they 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.

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.