IP storage networks have emerged as a versatile and inexpensive
alternative to traditional
Fibre Channel SANs, and IP SAN deployments -- primarily
iSCSI -- are appearing in businesses of all sizes. iSCSI offers
good speed and reliability, and can transport storage data across
the Internet. IP SANs rely on IP storage switches and routers to
segment storage traffic and keep it isolated from everyday user
traffic. Today's IP switches and routers even offer advanced
features like compression, acceleration, clustering, failover, and
multipathing; optimising WAN bandwidth and maintaining IP SAN
availability in the event of hardware problems. The product
snapshots in this chapter highlight key specifications for a cross
section of popular IP storage switch and router products. The
following products were selected based on input from industry
analysts and SearchStorage.com editors, and specifications are
current as of
March 2007.
The following specifications have been provided by vendors and
are periodically updated. Vendors are welcome to submit their
updates and new product specifications to
sbigelow@techtarget.com.
Go to the
first
product snapshot, or select the desired product below:
Woven Systems Inc.; EFS-1000 10GigE IP fabric switch
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Product Snapshot
#1
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Product:Brocade Communications Systems Inc.; FC4-16IP
Blade for 48000 Director
Fibre Channel Ports:8 FC ports
FC Port Speed:Autosensing 1/2/4 Gb/s
iSCSI (Ethernet) Ports:8 Ethernet ports
iSCSI (Ethernet) Port Speed:1 Gigabit Ethernet
Aggregate Bandwidth:8 Gb/s full duplex
Protocol Support:FCP, iSCSI
High-Availability Features:Hot code activation, hot swap
blades, redundant power and cooling on the chassis
Management Features:Dual 100 Mb/sec ethernet ports on
the director, Telnet, RADIUS, SNMP, Web Tools, Fabric Watch, 3rd
party applications using Brocade SMI agent
Virtualisation Support:None
Software:Web tools, zoning software
Form Factor:Blade for the 48000 director
platform
Interoperability:http://www.brocade.com/products/pdf/Fabric_Aware_Compatibility_Matrix-07
0208.pdf
Vendor Comment:Brocade's FC4-16IP blade is the
industry's only iSCSI gateway that operates at full 4 Gbit/sec
speeds. It provides high scalability, enabling up to a thousand
iSCSI servers to connect to a single Brocade 48000
Director.
Availability:Currently available
Base Cost:Price varies by channel
Detailed Specs:http://www.brocade.com/products/switches/silkworm_fc416ip.jsp
Vendor URL:www.brocade.com
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Product Snapshot
#2
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Product:Brocade Communications Systems Inc.; Brocade
iSCSI Gateway
Fibre Channel Ports:2 FC ports
FC Port Speed:Autosensing 1/2 Gb/s
iSCSI (Ethernet) Ports:2 Ethernet ports
iSCSI (Ethernet) Port Speed:1 Gigabit Ethernet
Aggregate Bandwidth:135 MB/s
Protocol Support:FCP, iSCSI
High-Availability Features:Two-way active/active
clustering with failover and failback capabilities, multiple iSCSI
connections provide multipathing support from a single gateway to
as many as 100 servers.
Management Features:CLI (by Telnet, SSH, or console);
iSCSI Gateway Manager, SNMP; Allows for monitoring traffic
statistics on each storage and network interface, fan and
temperature and iSCSI session details.
Virtualisation Support:None
Software:iSCSI Gateway Manager
Form Factor:1U Half-rack width
Interoperability:http://www.brocade.com/products/pdf/Fabric_Aware_Compatibility_Matrix-07
0208.pdf
Vendor Comment:Brocade's iSCSI Gateway improves data
availability with dual gateway, active/active clustered failover,
failback, and multipathing capabilities. It delivers high
performance at a low cost, supporting up to 100 simultaneous iSCSI
connections.
Availability:Currently available
Base Cost:Under $14,000 list price
Detailed Specs:http://www.brocade.com/products/appsandgateway/iSCSI.jsp
Vendor URL:www.brocade.com
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Product Snapshot
#3
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Product:Cisco Systems Inc.; 9216A and 9216i
Multilayer Fabric Switches
Fibre Channel Ports:14 FC ports with numerous
expansion options available
FC Port Speed:1/2/4/10 Gb/s port speed
iSCSI (Ethernet) Ports:Scalable from 2 to 8 Ethernet
ports
iSCSI (Ethernet) Port Speed:1 Gigabit Ethernet
Aggregate Bandwidth:144 Gb/s
Protocol Support:FC, FICON, FCIP, and iSCSI
High-Availability Features:Integrated hardware-based
VSANs and Inter-VSAN Routing (IVR), High-performance Inter-Switch
Links (ISLs), Comprehensive network security framework, FCIP for
remote SAN extension, iSCSI for extension of SAN to
Ethernet-attached servers, see more details at:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps5988/products_data_sheet0900aecd80173f9c.html
Management Features:Cisco MDS 9000 family CLI, Cisco
Fabric Manager and Device Manager and Cisco Fabric Manager Server
(optional; requires Cisco Fabric Manager Server license). See more
details at:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps6030/products_data_sheet09186a00800c4656.html
Virtualisation Support:Yes; The Cisco MDS 9216 provides
an open platform for hosting intelligent storage services such as
network-based virtualisation and replication.
Software:Currently available software packages include
Cisco Enterprise Package, SAN Extension over IP Package, Cisco
Mainframe Package, Cisco Fabric Manager Server Package.
Form Factor:3-rack unit (RU) system
Interoperability:Default or Native mode, Interop Mode 1,
Interop Mode 2, Interop Mode 3, and Interop Mode 4.
Vendor Comment:The Cisco MDS 9216i brings new capability
to the fabric switch market. Sharing a consistent architecture with
the Cisco MDS 9500 Series, the Cisco MDS 9216i integrates both
Fibre Channel and IP storage services in a single system to allow
maximum flexibility in user configurations.
Availability:Currently available
Base Cost:An estimated base starting price would be
$25,000 for the MDS 9216, $35,000 for the MDS 9216i.
Detailed Specs:http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps5988/products_data_sheet0900aecd80173f9c.html
Vendor URL:www.cisco.com
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Product Snapshot
#4
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Product:Cisco Systems Inc.; Linecard - IPS8
Fibre Channel Ports:None
FC Port Speed:n/a
iSCSI (Ethernet) Ports:8 Ethernet ports
iSCSI (Ethernet) Port Speed:1 Gigabit Ethernet
Aggregate Bandwidth:n/a
Protocol Support:FCIP
High-Availability Features:n/a
Management Features:Cisco MDS 9000 family CLI, Cisco
Fabric Manager and Device Manager and Cisco Fabric Manager Server
(optional; requires Cisco Fabric Manager Server license). See more
details at:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps6030/products_data_sheet09186a00800c4656.html
Virtualisation Support:None
Software:Currently available software packages include
Cisco Enterprise Package, SAN Extension over IP Package, Cisco
Mainframe Package, Cisco Fabric Manager Server Package.
Form Factor:Single slot module
Interoperability:Interoperates with any IEEE standard
GigE ports
Vendor Comment:The IPS8 module simplifies data
protection and business continuance strategies by enabling backup,
remote replication, and other disaster recovery services over WAN
distances using open-standard FCIP tunneling.optimises utilisation
of WAN resources for backup and replication by tunneling up to
three virtual Inter Switch Links (ISLs) on a single Gigabit
Ethernet port, and enabling compression, FCIP Write Acceleration
and FCIP Tape Acceleration.
Availability:Currently available
Base Cost:An estimated base starting price would be
$40,000.
Detailed Specs:http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps5991/products_data_sheet09186a00800c465b.html
Vendor URL:www.cisco.com
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Product Snapshot
#5
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Product:Cisco Systems Inc.; Linecard -
MPS-14/2
Fibre Channel Ports:14 FC ports
FC Port Speed:1/2 Gb/s port speed
iSCSI (Ethernet) Ports:2 Ethernet ports
iSCSI (Ethernet) Port Speed:1 Gigabit Ethernet
Aggregate Bandwidth:n/a
Protocol Support:FC, FICON, FCIP
High-Availability Features:Not provided
Management Features:Cisco MDS 9000 family CLI, Cisco
Fabric Manager and Device Manager and Cisco Fabric Manager Server
(optional; requires Cisco Fabric Manager Server license). See more
details at:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps6030/products_data_sheet09186a00800c4656.html
Virtualisation Support:None
Software:Currently available software packages include
Cisco Enterprise Package, SAN Extension over IP Package, Cisco
Mainframe Package, Cisco Fabric Manager Server Package.
Form Factor:Single slot module
Interoperability:Default or Native mode, Interop Mode 1,
Interop Mode 2, Interop Mode 3, and Interop Mode 4.
Vendor Comment:The Cisco MDS 9000 Family Multiprotocol
Services Module delivers the intelligence and advanced features
required to make multilayer storage area networks a reality.
Supported in the Cisco MDS 9200 Series and Cisco MDS 9500 Series
and offering fourteen Fibre Channel ports and two Gigabit Ethernet
ports, the Cisco Multiprotocol Services Module enables FCIP for
long distance SAN extension and iSCSI for Ethernet attached servers
without sacrificing Fibre Channel port density.
Availability:Currently available
Base Cost:An estimated base starting price would be
$35,000.
Detailed Specs:http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps5991/products_data_sheet09186a00801ce92d.html
Vendor URL:www.cisco.com
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Product Snapshot
#6
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Product:Emulex Corp.; Model 725 iSCSI Storage
Router
Fibre Channel Ports:1 FC port
FC Port Speed:2 Gb/s port speed
iSCSI (Ethernet) Ports:2 Gigabit Ethernet
ports
iSCSI (Ethernet) Port Speed:1 Gb/s
Aggregate Bandwidth:400 MB/s
Protocol Support:FC and iSCSI
High-Availability Features:High-availibility through
system level deployment architecture
Management Features:Supports In-band and Out-of-band
management
Virtualisation Support:None
Software:On-board diagnostic tool, beaconing
utility
Form Factor:1U half rack
Interoperability:See the compatibility matrix at:
http://www.emulex.com/products/router/interop.jsp
Vendor Comment:Model 725 iSCSI Storage Router is the
price/performance leader in its class. It leverages a single-chip,
highly integrated design. The product features a unique split-plane
architecture specifically designed to handle multiprotocol
translations such as iSCSI to FC
Availability:April 2007
Base Cost:$6000 USD, OEM prices vary
Detailed Specs:http://www.emulex.com/products/router/725/ds.jsp
Vendor URL:www.emulex.com
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Product Snapshot
#7
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Product:Emulex Corp.; Model 735 FCIP Storage
Router
Fibre Channel Ports:1 FC port
FC Port Speed:2 Gb/s port speed
iSCSI (Ethernet) Ports:2 Ethernet ports
iSCSI (Ethernet) Port Speed:1 Gigabit Ethernet
Aggregate Bandwidth:200 MB/s
Protocol Support:FC and FCIP
High-Availability Features:High-availibility through
system level deployment architecture
Management Features:Supports In-band and Out-of-band
management
Virtualisation Support:None
Software:On-board diagnostic tool, beaconing
utility
Form Factor:1U half rack
Interoperability:See the compatibility matrix at:
http://www.emulex.com/products/router/interop.jsp
Vendor Comment:Model 735 FCIP Storage Router enables
affordable SAN extension for IT administrators. It leverages a
single-chip, highly integrated design that handles multiprotocol
translations from FC to FCIP and has built-in hardware. Compression
enables full WAN utilisation up to T3 line rates.
Availability:April 2007
Base Cost:$6000 USD, OEM prices vary
Detailed Specs:http://www.emulex.com/products/router/735/ds.jsp
Vendor URL:www.emulex.com
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Product Snapshot
#8
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Product:Hewlett-Packard; StorageWorks 400
Multi-Protocol Router
Fibre Channel Ports:16 FC ports
FC Port Speed:Autosensing 1/2/4 Gb/s port
speeds
iSCSI (Ethernet) Ports:2 Ethernet ports for FCIP (no
support for iSCSI)
iSCSI (Ethernet) Port Speed:1.25 Gb/s for FCIP
only
Aggregate Bandwidth:128 Gb full duplex end-to-end
FC
Protocol Support:FC and FCIP
High-Availability Features:The MP Router 400 offers
enterprise class high availability features on FC ports (hot code
activation, redundant power and cooling systems)
Management Features:The management features are Web
Tools, Fabric Manager, and SMI-S. The MP Router is managed with the
same management tools as other B-series SAN switches and directors.
This enables seamless integration with the B-series installed base,
simplified implementation and administration.
Virtualisation Support:None
Software:FC-FC Subnet Routing Service, FCIP Tunneling
Service
Form Factor:1U
Interoperability:The SAN Design Guide can be found at:
www.hp.com/go/sandesignguide
Vendor Comment:The MP Router 400 enable organisations to
derive more value from the SAN infrastructure by extending its
reach across disparate SANs without the risk and downtime of
merging them. Organisations can achieve this value whether the SANs
reside in the same data center or in geographically disparate
locations using FCIP or native Fibre Channel.
Availability:Currently available
Base Cost:400 MP Router Lists for $30,449.00
USD
Detailed Specs:http://h18006.www1.hp.com/products/storageworks/400mpr/index.html
Vendor URL:www.hp.com
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Product Snapshot
#9
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Product:SANRAD Inc.; V-Switch 3800 Enterprise iSCSI
Switch
Fibre Channel Ports:8 FC ports
FC Port Speed:2 Gb per port
iSCSI (Ethernet) Ports:3 iSCSI ports
iSCSI (Ethernet) Port Speed:1 Gb line speed
Aggregate Bandwidth:300 MB/s
Protocol Support:FC, iSCSI, SCSI
High-Availability Features:iSCSI and FC Port Failover,
V-Switch active/active clustering, FC MPIO, 4 WAY data
mirroring
Management Features:Browser based GUI can manage 16
V-Switches simultaneously, comprehensive CLI, Telnet – secured
in-band or out of band, RS232 and 10/100 mgt ports. Phone home
alerts.
Virtualisation Support:Volume - virtualisation, 32
snapshots, 4 way mirroring, storage system pooling, storage system
concatenation, resizing, local and remote replication
Software:Not provided
Form Factor:1U standard rack mount
Interoperability:All FC storage systems that comply with
the FC2 standard – HP, Dell, EMC, IBM, NEC, HDS, SUN, Nexsan
RAIDinc
Vendor Comment:V-Switch 3800 delivers an open, reliable,
highly scalable iSCSI storage solution for secondary storage in
enterprises. V-Switch 3800 enables enterprise users to build and
manage a large pool of diverse storage systems, virtualise the
storage pool into custom volumes and assign those volumes to many
servers using iSCSI.
Availability:Currently available
Base Cost:$12,000 to $39,000 USD
Detailed Specs:http://www.sanrad.com/iscsi.asp?IP-SAN=498
Vendor URL:www.sanrad.com
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