In discussing this issue, it is necessary to clear a problem: We know that, in the early SAN
storage system
, a server and
switch
the data transmission is carried out through the fiber, because the server is to transmit SCSI command to the storage device, not the LAN IP protocol normal walking, it is necessary to use FC transmission, so this is called FC-SAN SAN, and the late with the encapsulated IP protocol SAN, LAN network can completely take the ordinary, so called the IP-SAN, most typical is now popular ISCSI. Both approaches require
data blocks
were heavy read package
unpack
operation, so high-performance SAN system is needed to install a network card dedicated to unpack the work to relieve the burden on the server processor, called this card it HBA card, which in addition to performing the work of unpacking the outer course also provides an optical interface (iSCSI HBA card if it is common to provide RJ45 connector) for use with a corresponding
switch
connected; further, the physical HBA when you put it for the same card inserted in the PCI or PCI-E slot, the use of such devices and therefore a very relative one network card, many people put it confused with the common or ordinary fiber NIC card. Of course, some iSCSI HBA card can be used as a normal card, but considering this is a very luxurious from the price.
HBA conventional definition: that is connected to
the host
I / O bus and the computer system memory I / O adapter. According to this definition, like the video card is connected to the video bus and memory card is connected to the network bus and memory, SCSI-FC card is connected SCSI or FC bus and memory, they should be regarded HBA. FC-HBA HBA card and other HBA iSCSI HBA card in the future, but, HBA typically used in SCSI. Adapter (adapter) and NIC for the FC; the NIC also for
Ethernet
and
Token Ring networks
.
In fact, the card is a general term for all types of equipment commonly mentioned means mounted in the mainframe, through the network cable (twisted-pair, fiber optic cable, coaxial cable, etc.) and
network switch
(Ethernet switches, FC switch , the ISCSI switches, etc.), or with other
network devices
connected (storage devices, servers, workstations, etc.), so as to form a network of hardware devices.
Well, this call in the end fiber network card is not referring to the fiber port HBA card it?
In fact, we often say that the fiber network card refers to
a Fiber Channel
network in the HBA card.
Because
the transport protocol
different network cards can be divided into three, one Ethernet card, and second FC card, third, iSCSI cards.
· Ethernet card: generic Ethernet Adapter, the transport protocol is IP protocol, typically connected by a fiber optic cable or twisted-pair Ethernet switch. Interface type is divided into optical and electrical interfaces. Optical port for data transmission generally, the interface module is generally the SFP (transfer rate of 2Gb / s) and GBIC (1Gb / s), the corresponding interface SC, ST and LC through an optical fiber cable. Electrical interface currently used interface type RJ45, for connection to twisted pair, coaxial cable is also connected to an interface, but now with a relatively small.
· FC card: General also called fiber network card, generic Fibre Channel HBA. The transport protocol is
Fiber Channel
protocol, typically by an optical fiber cable with a
Fiber Channel switch
is connected. Interface type is divided into optical and electrical interfaces. Optical port for data transmission generally, the interface module is generally the SFP (transfer rate of 2Gb / s) and GBIC (1Gb / s), corresponding to interface through an optical fiber cable SC and LC.
Electrical port interface type is generally DB9 pin or HSSDC. (Sentence can not understand, I do not know whether the Baidu numerical accuracy of information, where the transmission rate, personally feel that may not have been updated)
The following is taken from green Wikipedia, the rate has increased
Mesh Channel ( Fiber Channel , referred to as the FC ) is a high-speed networking technology (with a normal operating speed 2Gbps, 4Gbps, 8Gbps and 16Gbps), used to connect a computer storage device. [1] Fiber Channel by the International Committee on Information Technology Standards (INCITS) of T11 Technical Committee for Standardization. INCITS by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited. In the past, mostly for Fiber Channel supercomputer , but it has also become the enterprise storage SAN , a common connection types, and Fiber Channel are not necessarily linked.
Net channel protocol ( Fiber Channel Protocol , the FCP ) is similar to a TCP transport protocol, mostly for transmission on a Fiber Channel SCSI command.
Commercial SFP transceivers capable of providing rates up to 4.25 G bps. Several packages 10 Gbps transceivers for the XFP , SFP package, and consistent with the new variant "SFP +".
· ISCSI card: generic ISCSI HBA, transmission ISCSI protocol, the same interface type and the Ethernet card.
We say "fiber network card" generally refers to the FC HBA card inserted in the server, external storage with
Fiber Channel switches
; and optical port Ethernet cards are generally called "Optical Ethernet card" is inserted in the server, but it is external the Ethernet switch with an optical port.
to sum up:
In fact, these cards is very good distinction, see table became clear:
· HBA card: FC-HBA card (commonly known as: optical network card), iSCSI-HBA card (RJ45 Interface)
· Ethernet: Ethernet optical interface card (commonly known as: Fiber Ethernet card)
But these are all the slang or common language, a certain environment. We suggest that you do not use this term fiber network card, but directly said to FC-HBA card, so you will not cause misunderstanding.
