Bookmark and Share

Technology Platforms

Brocade technology platforms provide industry leadership and incorporate intelligence directly into enterprise data center fabric environments—enabling highly available, scalable, and secure environments for storage applications.

For more information on Brocade products, contact us.

Brocade Fabric OS provides ultra-high availability, reliability, and security capabilities for a wide range of enterprise data center environments. Fabric OS runs on the Brocade family of Fibre Channel Storage Area Network (SAN) and FICON backbones and switches—providing transparent interoperability between 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 Gbps devices as well as the reliable, high-performance data transport that is critical for interconnecting thousands of servers and storage devices. In addition, 10 Gbps Inter-Switch Link (ISL) connectivity is available for long-distance applications.

Starting with Fabric OS 5.3.0, Brocade Access Gateway mode on select switches eliminates fabric interoperability considerations by directly connecting to any SAN fabric through N_Port ID Virtualization (NPIV). This approach helps reduce the total cost of ownership by simplifying data center management and increasing scalability.

Fabric OS enables the most secure environments possible by supporting hardware-enforced Advanced Zoning and encrypted management via SSH, SSL, and SNMPv3. Fabric OS 5.3.0 and later versions eliminate the need for previous Secure Fabric OS licensing. This now-embedded security capability includes device and switch connection control policies along with specific functions that enable FICON cascading for mainframe environments.

In addition, Fabric OS supports very large multiswitch fabrics, making it easier for organizations to add functionality and quickly scale their SAN environments. With ultra-high-availability features such as non-disruptive hot code activation, Fabric OS is designed to support the most demanding mission-critical enterprise environments.

Brocade Virtual Fabrics, an ANSI standard-based feature, enables the logical partitioning of physical switches and fabrics with separate data, control, and management paths. Adding Virtual Fabrics-capable products to existing SANs is non-disruptive for either Fabric OS or M-EOS environments, and requires no configuration changes to existing switches or fabrics. Designed for large, multi-fabric SANs, Virtual Fabrics includes "per-port" resource allocation, secure management, and simple configuration that complement existing Fabric OS features rather than replacing them.

Comprehensive SAN Security Solution
Fabric OS provides policy-based security protection for more predictable change management, assured configuration integrity, and reduced risk of downtime. The security functions work in conjunction with Brocade Advanced Zoning to further secure access, simplify storage management, and reduce provisioning time.

To enhance security, administrators have a specific category of access, managed by Role-Based Access Control (RBAC). Authentication and accessibility improvements give administrators a better view of fabric login attempts, login failures, and strengthened password management.

Highlights

  • Brocade Access Gateway mode support to seamlessly connect to any SAN fabric with improved scalability and no additional switch domains
  • High-speed access to business-critical data
  • Rapid deployment of highly resilient, fault-tolerant, multiswitch Brocade fabrics
  • Integration of third-party storage management solutions with Brocade management solutions
  • FICON and FICON CUP support for IBM System z environments
  • Long-distance (more than 1000 km) Fibre Channel connectivity
  • Enhanced ISL Trunking, providing up to 128 Gbps of bandwidth
  • 10 Gbps ISLs for long-distance connectivity
  • Fibre Channel over IP (FCIP) connectivity to enable long-distance applications such as disk mirroring and remote tape solutions

Technology and Architecture Resources

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

Abstract:

This matrics includes Brocade M-Class directors, switches, and routers as well as legacy McDATA SAN products.

Abstract:

Archive: This document represents the last version of the Brocade Compatibility Matrix that included 2 Gbps devices and is provided here for your convenience.

Abstract:

This matric includes Brocade M-Class directors, switches, and routers as well as legacy McDATA SAN products.

Abstract:

This guide discusses topics related to mixing FICON and FCP devices in the same Storage Area Network (SAN), focusing on issues that end users need to address. These include specifics for the IBM zEnterprise System, as well as the fabric elements to consider when evaluating a FICON/FCP intermix solution.

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:

To realize the full value of an investment in the zEnterprise requires a transformation in the infrastructure supporting your new mainframe. This paper explores a thoughtfully planned and managed transition from a mixed ESCON and FICON infrastructure to a pure FICON infrastructure, enabling a smarter, centralized, cloud-optimized data center for the future.

Abstract:

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

Abstract:

Discusses 16 Gbps Fiber Channel and how it improves throughput in Storage Area Networks to reduce Inter-Switch Link counts, improve application performance, ease management, and reduce power consumption per bit.

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:

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:

The Brocade DCX Backbone provides industry-leading performance, scalability, and investment protection, unleashing the full capabilities of IBM System z, especially IBM zEnterprise 196 (z196) solutions

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 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:

New features in Brocade Fabric OS 7.0 help increase SAN security in enterprise environments to better protect sensitive data.

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.

Abstract:

This paper explores both the technical and business reasons for implementing a switched FICON architecture instead of a direct-attached storage FICON architecture.