Bookmark and Share

Data Center Fabric

The Brocade Data Center Fabric (DCF) architecture is an intelligent, policy-based framework designed to help organizations build the most efficient, cost-effective data center environments based on their particular business needs.

To get more information on Brocade products, contact us.

Brocade Data Center FabricTo address the wide variety of requirements for next-generation data centers, Brocade has developed an architectural foundation and evolutionary strategy: The Brocade Data Center Fabric (DCF) architecture. This intelligent, policy-based framework is designed to help organizations protect their existing technology investments while integrating strategic new technologies that support scalable, efficient growth. This unique approach incorporates a shared resource model that leverages a decade of Brocade experience in building low-latency, high-performance enterprise networks. The Brocade DCF architecture encompasses the connectivity of applications and their data within data center environments. It includes file and block data; virtualized server and storage islands; and multiprotocol connectivity to meet evolving business requirements. Moreover, it enables unified end-to-end connectivity and management (server-to-server, server-to-storage, and storage-to-storage) to reduce complexity.

A Future-Built, Strategic Solution
The Brocade strategy avoids an expensive and risky "rip-and-replace" data center overhaul by providing built-in investment protection. That means IT organizations can utilize existing equipment and processes, choosing how and when to incorporate new technologies as they become available.

For maximum flexibility, the architecture is interoperable with all types of SAN environments, including those from other vendors. Brocade provides the "enabling" layer and builds on its strategic partner relationships to provide the "orchestration" layer for unified management.

Brocade DCX Backbone: A NEW CLASS OF NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE
Existing Brocade solutions play a key role in the Brocade DCF architecture strategy by facilitating non-disruptive expansion and delivering unmatched performance and energy efficiency. However, implementing large-scale server virtualization, adaptive networking, and multiple high-performance protocols ultimately requires a new class of network infrastructure: the data center backbone.

Designed to meet these growing performance, scalability, and cost-efficiency requirements, the Brocade DCX Backbone complements any data center environment, providing the core foundation for the Brocade DCF architecture. It features breakthrough performance, a highly robust services platform, seamless interoperability across fabrics, and future-built extensibility for next-generation data centers.

New DCF Approach

Learn about the data center fabric.

Technology and Architecture Resources

Browse a complete listing of all Brocade resources. View All Resources

Abstract:

A critical advanced technology integrated into the data center fabric is Brocade Adaptive Networking services. As application consolidation accelerates, service level management gains in importance, Adaptive Networking provides QoS to ensure fabric support for critical application service levels.

Abstract:

Providing server connectivity products is the next step in fulfilling Brocade’s mission to deliver enterprise-class, end-to-end storage networking solutions. With Brocade server connectivity solutions, Brocade is now extending fabric-based services to data center server platforms for dependable and high-performance storage access.

Abstract:

The evolving data center fabric exploits developing virtualization technologies for a data- and application-driven solution that reduces complexity and enables end-to-end management on a common framework.

Abstract:

Describes how to migrate from Brocade EFCM to Brocade DCFM including planning, installation and deployment, and post-deployment configuration.

Abstract:

The guiding principles driving a new architecture for the data center include consolidation, virtualization, service-level resource allocation, and policy-based data management. These principles simplify how business exploits its data for competitive advantage in a cost-effective manner.

Abstract:

The evolving data center requires innovative technology in the fabric networks that connect servers to servers, servers to storage, and storage to storage.

Abstract:

Describes and illustrates scenarios that demonstrate how the Brocade DCX Backbone platform can be added non-disruptively into the core of existing SANs and new data center fabrics.

Abstract:

Describes the internal architecture of the Brocade DCX Backbone and explains how best to leverage its industry-leading performance and blade flexibility to meet business requirements.

Abstract:

This paper delves into the experiences of 30 IT managers who relocated their data centers, analyzing the primary drivers, issues, strategies, and lessons learned.

Abstract:

The results of a benchmarking study performed in Brocade test labs demonstrate that SQL Server can be deployed on VMware ESX Server 3.5 for Online Transaction Processing (OLTP) applications in very favorable server consolidation ratios to meet corporate IT business requirements.

Abstract:

This guide describes best practices for incorporating cabling in a typical data center, plus tips for selecting cabling components and information on data transmission media.

Abstract:

This paper explores how key capabilities within Brocade Data Center Fabric Manager (DCFM) help simplify infrastructure management.

Abstract:

This paper describes the basics of Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) and how Brocade FCoE solutions provide greater choice in modern data centers.

Abstract:

This paper describes how System z users can leverage the Brocade DCX Backbone to address their most pressing business challenges while preparing for future technologies.

Abstract:

This paper examines how FICON channel architecture greatly expands the distance, throughput, and scale of implementation for IBM mainframe environments.

Abstract:

This paper explores the challenges of block-level data migrations and how Brocade Data Migration Manager increases data migration efficiency while reducing risk and operational costs.

Abstract:

This paper explores the various approaches Brocade is taking toward heterogeneous fabric connectivity following its acquisition of McDATA.

Abstract:

This paper describes how FastWrite, a Brocade capability available in Brocade SAN Routers, addresses the performance issues of SCSI write operations over long-distance, high-latency links.

Abstract:

Brocade Data Migration Manager (DMM) is designed to provide a fast, reliable, and cost-effective way to simplify data movement.

Abstract:

This paper outlines key aspects of SAN security and ways that new features in Brocade Fabric OS 6.0 help increase SAN security in enterprise environments.

Abstract:

This paper examines how Brocade Storage Application Services enable EMC RecoverPoint to support heterogeneous fabric-based data replication for all open-system server solutions across any distance.

Abstract:

Describes a FOS 6.2 capability: Virtual Fabrics (VFs). Using VFs, customers can partition a physical switch into multiple Logical Switches, each of which belongs to a Logical Fabric, which has independent data paths, fabric configuration (zoning, Quality of Service, fabric mode) ,and management.

Abstract:

This paper examines the fundamentals and benefits of the Brocade Access Gateway, the latest evolution in Fibre Channel SAN connectivity built on blade server technology.