Overview

QLogic has been tackling the FCoE market aggressively with its single chip ASIC technology in addition to garnering numerous design wins for its Converged Network Adapters (CNA). Building on that success, the company is now enabling FCoE switch technology for IBM blade center environments. This recent announcement highlights:

• The first implementation of the QLogic Fibre Channel switching stack in QLogic’s FCoE Switch ASIC, the QLogic Virtual Fabric Extension Module.  While QLogic has been delivering single chip ASICs for FCoE CNAs, this announcement extends QLogic’s well proven and tested Fibre Channel stack into FCoE switching environments.
• The first fully integrated, internal FCoE switch module for BladeCenter chassis.  It eliminates the need for top-of-rack FCoE switches and simplifies wiring, which enables BladeCenter to access Fibre Channel SANs and Ethernet networks over copper and optical media.
• More attractive entry price points. QLogic claims its internal FCoE switching environment can reduce costs by as much as 2/3 over traditional top-of-rack FCoE switches. The FCoE technology was developed in conjunction with Blade Network Technologies, but QLogic also offers 10 Gb Ethernet pass-through technology at very attractive entry pricing.

The technology is currently generally available through IBM.

Analysis

This announcement demonstrates commitments made by both QLogic and IBM to deliver innovative solutions for converged networking. As consolidation and convergence continue to play an important role in the data center, QLogic should benefit from extending its single chip ASIC technology to include FCoE switching. More specifically, this technology should:

• Enable OEMs to deliver more compelling solutions. By combining QLogic’s single chip CNAs with the new Virtual Fabric Extension Module, OEMs can offer cost effective FCoE solutions that benefit from single pane of glass management. These FCoE solutions can be combined with existing 10Gb Ethernet technology, as is the case with the current IBM solution (with Blade Network Technology 10Gb Ethernet), or a complete solution can be developed with QLogic 10Gb Ethernet modules. Given the previous CNA wins for QLogic with IBM, the FCoE switch technology is the next logical step. It will be interesting to see if other OEMs follow suit.
• Drive more IT consolidation. As virtualized server initiatives continue to dominate the data center landscape, IT organizations strive to extend the value derived from consolidating the server environment into other area in the data center. ESG’s 2010 IT spending intentions data, shown in Figure 1, demonstrates the number one IT priority of over 500 respondents from North America and Western Europe: increasing the use of server virtualization.[1] It is also important to note that the number four position is tied to upgrading network infrastructure and number seven relates to consolidating data centers.

• Provide IBM with a first to market advantage. The IBM BladeCenter would be the only 100% internal FCoE solution currently available.  Leveraging QLogic CNAs and FCoE Switching technology with BladeNetwork Technology Ethernet cards, IBM is able to deliver an internal FCoE switch solution for IBM BladeCenter. The BNT switch acts as the Ethernet LAN portion of the solution and the QLogic Virtual Fabric Extension Module acts as the Fibre Channel Forwarder (FCF) with the FCoE capabilities. The result is less rack space consumed and a more attractive entry point.

The Bigger Truth

QLogic understands the value of converged networking solutions and has dedicated significant resources to design, develop, and produce innovative FCoE technology. Until now, its efforts have been focused on the converged network adaptor space, but with this announcement QLogic is wading into FCoE switch territory, looking to piggyback on its numerous CNA design wins to help OEMs deliver complete FCoE solutions in compelling form factors. Indeed, by leveraging the QLogic CNA and Virtual Fabric Extension Module, IBM is able to deliver the first “in chassis” FCoE solution: enabling cost-effective access to both Fibre Channel SANs and converged networks.