The 8200 Series Dual Port 10 Gbps Ethernet to PCIe CNA from Q-Logic supports simultaneous LAN (TCP/IP) and SAN [Fiber Channel over Ethernet (FCoE), Internet Small Computer System Interface (iSCSI)] traffic at line-rate, 10 Gbps Ethernet speed. This convergence of networking traffic lowers data center costs by eliminating the need for separate LAN and SAN infrastructure. Data centers need fewer adapters, cables, and switches, which means reduced power and cooling costs. In addition, these adapters are compatible with existing Fiber Channel and iSCSI storage. They provide investment protection for existing infrastructure. The adapter interfaces to the host server with a PCIe Gen 2 x8 bus that ensures no internal performance bottlenecks.
FCoE and iSCSI Hardware Offload
The adapter supports full hardware offload for FCoE and iSCSI protocol processing. Q-Logic's FlexOffload feature makes space available on the server CPU, to perform other tasks. Consequently, server applications can run faster and virtualized servers can support more virtual machines (VMs).
Convergence
The Converged Network Adapter reduces data center costs by converging data and storage networking. This convergence results in buying fewer adapters, cables, and switches. In addition, convergence offers lower power consumption, reduced cooling and easier LAN and SAN management.
VMflex
NIC partitioning (NPAR) technology by Q-Logic lets you view one CNA by the server operating system (OS) as a flexible mix (up to four per physical port) of standalone NICs, FCoE adapters and iSCSI adapters. It has the ability to allocate guaranteed bandwidth to each virtual adapter. This unique feature is switch agnostic - it is not necessary to pair an adapter with any specific 10GbE switch model to enable partitioning.
Common Drivers
The adapter is compatible with the same Fiber Channel and iSCSI software driver stacks that have been deployed. These drivers are common across Q-Logic's Fiber Channel and iSCSI adapters, simplifying revision management in heterogeneous environments.
Management
The unified management application, QConvergeConsole (QCC) makes networking, FCoE and iSCSI management easy. QCC provides single pane-of-glass management for storage and networking adapters. The adapter also has API support so that other popular third-party management tools can manage it, including native OS management tools for networking.
Diskless Boot
The adapter supports booting the server from remote storage over both the LAN and SAN. Therefore, data centers can deploy thinner servers, centralize OS image management, increase system availability and simplify image redeployment.
Enhanced Ethernet
Additions to the Ethernet standard enable it to transport lossless, converged LAN and SAN traffic. The adapter supports all of the new Ethernet standards, including 802.1Qbb (Priority-based Flow Control) and 802.1Qaz (Enhanced Transmission).