Emulex VMWARE LP21000 - Manual (Page 8)

8
Converged Networking with FCoE in an ESX Environment
Server virtualization is one of the key drivers of FCoE deployment. FCoE enabled network convergence
significantly reduces the number of cables, switch ports and adapters as show in Figure 6.
Figure 6: Effects of Convergence using a CNA in a Rack-mount Server running ESX
The following sections provide a detailed description of how to deploy and configure an Emulex LP21000 in
a VMware ESX Server environment.
CNA Instantiation Model in ESX
Although the CNA is a single physical entity, to an operating system the adapter is represented as an HBA
and a NIC (Network Interface Card).This level of transparency to the operating system ensures that the
CNA configuration and management practices are performed in the same manner as current standalone
NIC and HBA devices.
Extending this concept to VMware ESX, the Emulex LP21000 CNA is recognized by ESX as both an HBA
and a NIC. The ESX server in turn provides the networking and storage networking access for the virtual
Administration/VMRC
Server NIC
Virtual Network 1
VMotion
Administration/VMRC
Virt Net 1 Backup
Virt Net 2 Backup
Virt Net 3 Backup
VMotion Backup
Server NIC
Virtual Network 1
Virtual Network 2
Virtual Network 3
VMotion
Virtual Network 2
Virtual Network 3
Separate LAN and SAN
connectivity with NICs and HBAs
Converged Networking with
CNA
Fibre Channel SAN B
Fibre Channel SAN A