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Implementing SAN Internetworking Solutions
4
iFCP WAN Extension
Figure 4-6
iSAN Routing
An internetworked SAN (iSAN) is a network composed of multiple
Fibre Channel fabrics or mSANs, connected by one or more SAN
routers, where at least one fabric is remotely located and connected
through a WAN. The WAN connection is an iFCP IRL, characterized
by high latency and ranging in bandwidth from Digital Service 1
(DS1) at 1.544 Mbps to GbE at 1000 Mbps. iFCP is optimized for
TCP/IP-based Internet service provider (ISP) networks.
Unlike conventional SAN extension, iSAN Routing terminates the
stretched E_Port connection at each fabric edge. Fabric building and
reconfiguration issues are isolated and restricted to each fabric
because Fibre Channel Class F traffic is not transmitted across the
TCP/IP network. Only authorized (zoned) connections between
storage devices and servers are allowed across the network.
By preserving the autonomy of each local fabric or mSAN, an iFCP
SAN routing connection ensures disruptions at one site are isolated
and not allowed to propagate to other locations. This configuration
provides stability for distance-connected mSANs and promotes high
availability for disaster recovery, consolidated tape backup, or other
complex, multi-site storage applications.
McDATA Products in a SAN Environment - Planning Manual
4-24
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