Dell C9000 Series Networking Configuration Manual page 422

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To ensure similar Fibre Channel robustness and security with FCoE in an Ethernet cloud network, FIP

establishes virtual point-to-point links between FCoE end-devices (server ENodes and target storage devices)

and FCoE forwarders (FCFs) over transit FCoE-enabled bridges.

Ethernet bridges commonly provide ACLs that can emulate a point-to-point link by providing the traffic

enforcement required to create a Fibre Channel-level of robustness. You can configure ACLs to emulate

point-to-point links, providing control over the traffic received or transmitted into the switch. To

automatically generate ACLs, use FIP snooping. In addition, FIP serves as a Layer 2 protocol to:

Operate between FCoE end-devices and FCFs over intermediate Ethernet bridges to prevent

unauthorized access to the network and achieve the required security.

Allow transit Ethernet bridges to efficiently monitor FIP frames passing between FCoE end-devices and

an FCF. To dynamically configure ACLs on the bridge to only permit traffic authorized by the FCF, use

the FIP snooping data.

FIP enables FCoE devices to discover one another, initialize and maintain virtual links over an Ethernet

network, and access storage devices in a storage area network (SAN). FIP satisfies the Fibre Channel

requirement for point-to-point connections by creating a unique virtual link for each connection between an

FCoE end-device and an FCF via a transit switch.

FIP provides functionality for discovering and logging into an FCF. After discovering and logging in, FIP allows

FCoE traffic to be sent and received between FCoE end-devices (ENodes) and the FCF. FIP uses its own

EtherType and frame format. The following illustration shows the communication that occurs between an

ENode server and an FCoE switch (FCF).

The following table lists the FIP functions.

Table 27. FIP Functions

FIP Function

FIP VLAN discovery

FIP discovery

Initialization

FCoE devices (ENodes) discover the FCoE VLANs on

which to transmit and receive FIP and FCoE traffic.

FCoE end-devices and FCFs are automatically

FCoE devices learn ENodes from the FLOGI and

FDISC to allow immediate login and create a virtual

link with an FCoE switch.

A valid virtual link between an FCoE device and an

FCoE switch is maintained and the LOGO functions

FCoE Transit

Troubleshooting