Fibre Channel as a network backbone

This paper presents a methodology for building a collapsed-backbone enterprise LAN based on the emerging ANSI X3T11 Fibre Channel Standard. This architecture facilitates design of a high-performance campus-area network featuring transparent support for legacy IEEE 802.x LANs, 802.1g MAC-layer remote bridging, and direct attachment of FC workstations, servers, and peripherals to the central fabric. The bridged network of LANs allows stations and servers attached to separate LANs to communicate over a Fibre Channel fabric transparently, as if they were attached to a single LAN. In addition, software applications residing on direct-attached Fibre Channel nodes will be interoperable with applications on the traditional LANs.<
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