Dell PowerEdge M IO Aggregator Command Reference Manual page 108

To ensure similar Fibre Channel robustness and security with FCoE in an Ethernet cloud network, the
Fibre Channel over Ethernet initialization protocol (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 access control list (ACLs) that can emulate a point-to-point link by
providing the traffic enforcement required to create a Fibre Channel-level of robustness. 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, and use the FIP snooping data to dynamically configure ACLs on the bridge to only
permit traffic authorized by the FCF.
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. 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 in to 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.
server and an FCoE switch (FCF).
FIP performs the following functions:
• FIP virtual local area network (VLAN) discovery: FCoE devices (ENodes) discover the FCoE VLANs
on which to transmit and receive FIP and FCoE traffic.
• FIP discovery: FCoE end-devices and FCFs are automatically discovered.
• Initialization: FCoE devices perform fabric login (FLOGI) and fabric discovery (FDISC) to create a
virtual link with an FCoE switch.
• Maintenance: A valid virtual link between an FCoE device and an FCoE switch is maintained and the
link termination logout (LOGO) functions properly.
94 | FIP Snooping
Figure 8-1 shows the communication that occurs between an ENode