Name: Fibre Channel SAN Workloads
Start: 2020-02-12T18:00:00Z
End: 2020-02-12T18:01:08.000Z
Location: BrightTALK
Rating: 4.8

The Fibre Channel Industry Association (FCIA) is a non-profit international organization whose sole purpose is to act as the independent technology and marketing voice of the Fibre Channel industry. We are committed to helping member organizations promote and position Fibre Channel, and to providing a focal point for Fibre Channel information, standards advocacy, and education.
 
FCIA members include manufacturers, system integrators, developers, vendors, industry professionals, and end users. Our member-led working groups and committees focus on creating and championing the Fibre Channel technology roadmaps, targeting applications that include data storage, video, networking, and storage area network (SAN) management.

The majority of today’s SAN infrastructures leverage the traditional SCSI/FCP protocol. The relatively new NVMe/FC protocol has become ubiquitous in enterprise storage offerings, delivering multiple advantages including high performance, low tail latency, and precision error recovery that can run on the same Fibre Channel SAN infrastructure. In this talk we will discuss:

• The architecture of NVMe/FC at protocol level
• Building blocks of NVMe like NVMe subsystem
• NVMe controllers, Namespaces etc. 
• Overview of FC-NVMe T11 standards
• Key advantages of NVMe/FC, including application use cases

NVMe over FC: Deep Dive in Protocol, Architecture and Use Cases

In this webcast we will discuss 128GFC, the new Fibre Channel speed recently ratified by the T11 Fibre Channel standards committee. This new speed takes Fibre Channel further into the future. The latest generation of Fibre Channel (128GFC) has a rate of 112.2Gbps (PAM4) for a single lane variant. This speed is 5.6% faster than 100Gb Ethernet single lane variants. Fibre Channel was able to increase the speed and still maintain two generations of backward compatibility which is key to Fibre Channel success. Previous generation SFP optical modules (32GFC and 64GFC) will be able to plug into the latest generation of Fibre Channel 128GFC products and 128GFC products will be able to seamlessly interoperate with previous generations of Fibre Channel products. 
 
128GFC products will support existing infrastructure of fiber cables for multi-mode variants and single mode variants. 128GFC is also able to support the previous reach of 100 meters of OM4 without sacrificing performance in link quality or increasing errors (BER). 
 
The Fibre Channel committee also streamlined the process for link speed negotiation and training which are key to multiple generations of backward compatibility. In the webcast we will discuss this significant Fibre Channel advancement.

128GFC: A Preview of the New Fibre Channel Speed

Machine learning (ML) is the study and development of algorithms that improves with use of data. As it deals with the training data, the machine algorithm changes and grows. Most ML models begin with “training data” which the machine processes and begins to “understand” statistically. 
Machine learning models are resource intensive. To anticipate, validate, and recalibrate millions of times, they demand a significant amount of processing power. Training an ML model might slow down your machine and hog local resources. 
The proposed solution is to containerize ML with NVMe over Fibre Channel (FC-NVMe) by putting your ML models in a container. In this webcast, we will highlight the benefits of containerizing ML models with FC-NVMe, discussing: 

• Containers are lightweight software packages that run-in isolation on the host computing environment. Containers are predictable, repetitive, and immutable. This ensures that no unexpected issues occur while moving them to a new system or between environments. A cluster of containers can be created with a configuration suited for machine learning requirements. Containers are also easy to coordinate (or “orchestrate”). 

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) at scale sets the standard for storage infrastructure in terms of capacity and performance, making it one of the most crucial factors for containers.

• FC-NVMe is an extension of the NVMe network protocol to Fibre Channel delivering faster and more efficient connectivity between storage and servers and providing the highest throughput and fastest response times. 

• The combination of FC-NVMe with an NVMe SSD solution with containerized ML allows orchestration to scale data-intensive workloads and increase data mining speed.

Benefits of FC-NVMe for Containerized ML Models

Innovation and growth in Fibre Channel adoption continues to grow – and your career can too. Yet there is a lack of training at the academic level in teaching the basics of Fibre Channel as many universities consider the technology mature. The need for beginner-level courses as well as more advanced education for professionals wanting to achieve a deeper level of technical understanding in the subject has led to a number of companies active in the Fibre Channel industry to step up and fill the void. 

In fact, between the many vendors in this space and the FCIA itself, there is a plethora of resources. These include classes, webcasts, videos and white papers that cover topics ranging from Fibre Channel basics to fabric notifications, zoning fundamentals, standards development and instructions on how to become a Fibre Channel-based SAN administrator. 

How to take advantage of all these educational Fibre Channel resources will be the topic of our this live FCIA webcast on April 13, 2022.

Advance Your Career with Fibre Channel Knowledge

Over the past decade IT organizations have discovered the benefits of moving applications and storage to the cloud. Recent trends point to an increase of on-premises hybrid cloud solutions.  Cloud-native applications running in containers have driven the need for high-performance persistent storage that is both easy to deploy and manage.  

In this live webcast, FCIA experts will explore the role that Fibre Channel plays in merging the benefits of a cloud-based infrastructure with the advantages of an on-premises hosting solution for gains in reliability, performance, and scalability - all with cost reduction. With a focus on Kubernetes, we will explain how these best practice environments can be combined for the next generation of application deployments. Join us for a discussion on: 
• Cloud market trends  
• How organizations are deploying cloud  
•	Introduction to containers and persistent storage  
•	The role of Fibre Channel in Kubernetes  
•	Evolution of container storage interfaces and CSI 
•	Fibre Channel fabric requirements and considerations

Kubernetes and Fibre Channel: A Compelling Case

Fibre Channel is the original secure storage fabric. Perfected over 25 years, the zoning service in Fibre Channel makes security possible by ensuring that end devices are able to communicate only with the set of devices explicitly permitted. As a follow up to our presentation on Fibre Channel Basics, this live webcast is a more advanced session that will focus on Zoning for the real world, covering:  
• What is Zoning 
         -Why you’d want to Zone
• How Zoning works 
        -Different types of zones
        -Activation flow
        -Zoning configuration
        -Zoning and security
        -On-going management and monitoring
•	Real-world examples: How to zone for database applications, virtualization and more
After you watch the presentation, read the Q&A blog from the presenters https://bit.ly/3Gh5kI8

Fibre Channel Zoning Fundamentals – All You Need to Know

We continue our discussion on how Fibre Channel is purpose built and engineered to meet the demands of enterprise data centers requiring rock solid reliability, high performance, and scalability. In other words, Fibre Channel technology is storage technology! 

At Part 2 of “Inside a Modern Fibre Channel Architecture” our FCIA experts return to dive into:  
• Building blocks and their hierarchy
• Frames, Sequences, Exchanges, Protocols
• Segmentation and reassembly
•	Error detection and recovery
•	Current enhancements e.g., Congestion Notifications
After you watch the presentation, check out the Q&A blog: https://bit.ly/3JOgdTU

Inside a Modern Fibre Channel Architecture - Part 2

Fibre Channel (FC) is the storage networking protocol for enterprise data centers with over 142 million ports having been shipped. Fibre Channel is purpose built and engineered to meet the demands for enterprise data centers that require rock solid reliability, high performance, and scalability. In other words, Fibre Channel technology transports FC-SB-x, FCP, and FC-NVMe storage protocols natively.

This webcast explains how Fibre Channel is architected for unparalleled performance for storage protocols. If you are interested in this architecture, please join us to learn more on the Fibre Channel:
• Functional levels and components
• Physical model
• Communication models
•	Interconnect topologies
•	Classes of service
•	General Fabric model
•	Generic Services
This all leads to a future webcast where we’ll dive into:
•	Building blocks and their hierarchy
o	Frames, Sequences, Exchanges, Protocols
•	Segmentation and reassembly
•	Error detection and recovery
•	Current enhancements e.g., Congestion Notifications
After you watch the presentation, check out the Q&A blog: https://bit.ly/3JOgdTU

Inside a Modern Fibre Channel Architecture - Part 1

Fibre Channel (FC) networks run on a highly streamlined protocol designed to offer persistently high performance. The FC protocol has built-in feedback mechanisms to avoid congestion and to alleviate it if it occurs. There are many new technologies being developed to monitor and manage performance and availability issues that may arise from time to time. Moreover, many of these tools are available across the ecosystem and are part of the FC standard. 
Come listen to Fibre Channel technology experts to understand:
•	New technologies like FPIN notification  
•	Exciting new innovations coming to the FC network  
•	How to ensure predictable performance  
•	QoS considerations  
•	Why FC is the best transport protocol for storage environments

Introducing Fabric Notifications, From Awareness to Action

Got Fibre Channel questions? Here’s your chance to get them answered. Coming together from multiple vendors and various technical disciplines, the Fibre Channel Industry Association (FCIA’s) depth of Fibre Channel expertise in unmatched. 

On February 24, 2021, FCIA experts will share their knowledge by answering your Fibre Channel questions. Wondering which workloads are best suited for NVMe over Fibre Channel or why Fabric Services are important? Perhaps you have a specific question on performance, peer zoning or cabling & connectors. Ask away!

So, whether you’re a Fibre Channel novice or you’ve been working with it for 20 years, you likely have at least one question that could use some clarification. You may submit up to three questions for our panel. We’ll do our best to get to them all. 

Submit your Fibre Channel questions here: http://bit.ly/AskFCIA

Got Fibre Channel Questions?  Come Get Answers.

Gen 7, the newest generation of Fibre Channel, doubles performance to 64GFC with switches and HBAs now available in the market. But what does 2021 hold for the network protocol standard? What impact will NVMe over Fibre Channel have in the datacenter? Tune into this webcast to hear answers to these questions and more. 

Founder and principal market analyst Casey Quillin of Quillin Research, will provide his perspective on storage networking trends and will join FCIA experts as they share insights on the continued innovation of Fibre Channel and what datacenter managers can expect in 2021 and beyond. 

Attendees will be provided with a link to the latest edition of the 2020 Fibre Channel Solutions Guide, packed with additional technical information to help you navigate the networking landscape. 

Join us for a look at:
•Storage networking trends 
•The features and timing of Fibre Channel technology migration reflected in the Fibre Channel Roadmap 
•The need for standards 
•Fibre Channel security standards

After you watch the webcast, check out the Q&A blog: http://bit.ly/2PJ8uz3

Fibre Channel Outlook - 2021 and Beyond

Why do we need enhanced error recovery?  And, how does it work?  In this webcast we explore the fact that “bit errors happen” and how that occurs.  We also do a deep dive into the mechanism of the enhanced error recovery added to FC-NVMe-2.  Join FCIA experts as they guide you through the intricacies of error detection and recovery to provide the most reliable NVMe over Fibre Channel deployment possible.

What’s New in FC-NVMe-2?

Fibre Channel Services such as the Fabric Login Server, Fabric Controller, and Name Server are used to support management and operation of a Fibre Channel Fabric by providing a method of registering and maintaining devices connected in the network. As the need for additional Fabric Services, such as traffic flow analysis and congestion management have surfaced, Fibre Channel continues to evolve to ensure easy data center scalability. 

In this webcast, FCIA experts will provide context to the terminology and dive into Fibre Channel Services, including device and topology discovery, zoning, security, clock synchronization and management. It will also decode some common acronyms like, FC-CT, FC-GS-9, and FC-SW-8.

Join us to learn: 

•What are Fabric Services? 
•Overview of long-standing Fabric Services and what the newer Fabric Services provide
•What is FC-CT? And how does it relate to Fibre Channel Fabric Services?
•Fibre Channel Generic Services and Switch Fabric functionality

Data Center Scalability Made Easy with Fibre Channel Services

The T11 specification for NVMe over Fibre Channel (FC-NVMe) was completed in 2018, since that time, the FCIA has held numerous plugfest events and products have been shipping for a few years.  So where are we today with NVMe over Fibre Channel solutions? 

This webcast will take an early 2020 point-in-time snapshot of where the industry is, discuss products available today, and address common questions around: 

•Which host environments can use FC-NVMe
•What is required from the fabric
•Breadth of supporting storage solutions
•Application benefits we have seen so far 
•FC-NVMe strengths and differentiators 

And most importantly, is FC-NVMe ready for prime time?

After you watch the webcast, check out the Q&A blog at: https://bit.ly/2DB1TRa

Is FC-NVMe Ready for Prime Time?

We rely on technical standards for all facets of daily life. Yet it is easy to take technology standards for granted, forgetting that they underpin the technology used every day. As participants in the IT sector it is important for us to learn how standards are developed, why standards matter and how we all benefit from them.

In this webcast, we’ll pull back the curtain on the standard development process, explain what makes something a standard, and decode a few funky common acronyms. You’ll learn: 

•The differences between a standard and a specification
•Who is INCITS and what’s their role?
•T11 Fibre Channel standards development process 
•T11 Fibre Channel Standards
•Current Fibre Channel standards under development 
•Benefits of standards when architecting Fibre Channel solutions

The Making of Fibre Channel Standards

One of Fibre Channel’s greatest strengths is its ability to scale to thousands and thousands of nodes, while providing predictable performance. So, when we say that Fibre Channel has unmatched scalability, what does that actually mean? And how does it work?

We often hear about “designed from the ground up,” but in this case it’s actually true. From each individual link, to the overall domain architecture, each step along the way is intended to be approached in a scalable fashion. 

In this webinar, we’ll be breaking down the pieces of the puzzle that help give Fibre Channel its robustness when you’re working at fabrics even greater than 10,000 nodes. We’ll be talking about:

•What a deterministic storage network is  
       •Fabric management principles
       •Negotiated credit transfers (buffer-to-buffer credits)
•Network Engineering/Design Principles  
       •Oversubscription and Fan-In Ratios
       •Topologies that help scale
       •Domains and Fabric limits
•Consistency of performance at scale  

Along the way, we’ll be talking about some of the ways that Fibre Channel differs from other popular storage networks as they approach large-scale environments, and how it handles issues that arise in such cases.

Please join us on November 6th at 10:00 am PT/1:00 pm ET for another educational webinar on Fibre Channel!

Understanding Fibre Channel Scaling

Fibre Channel (FC) SAN workloads are not difficult, but there are several people who do not understand how the workloads line up to appropriate storage protocol and their characteristics. Different workloads have different “Fingerprints,” so to speak. Since FC SANs are block, they work very well with applications that have a lot of transactional data, a lot of random read/write loads, and are particularly good for virtual machine file systems.

This webinar will discuss:
•I/O fingerprints: I/O block sizes & IOPS requirements for various “FC SAN applications”
•An overview of application access patterns, guided by best practices and experience
•How FC fulfills these IOPS requirements and how CPU BW is as important as IOPS

We will briefly investigate application sensitivity to latency, and show how protocol can affect performance.

After you watch, check out the Q&A blog from this session at http://bit.ly/2VQeuqX

Fibre Channel SAN Workloads

Fibre Channel

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