Did My FCoE Prediction Come True?

It's been an exciting couple weeks in the rapidly evolving world of next generation networking technologies. The fire growing in the network convergence market that I mentioned in my previous blogs has just gotten even hotter.

During the week of May 12th, the Fibre Channel Industry Association (FCIA) completed its second FCoE plugfest at the University of New Hampshire Interoperability Lab (UNH-IOL). On May 18th, Emulex demonstrated their converged network adapter (CNA) technology at Interop in Las Vegas. On May 20th, EMC and Brocade announced their intent to invest in and develop FCoE connectivity solutions, and on May 26th IBM announced general availability of new IBM System x and BladeCenter servers with two QLogic CNAs, a QLogic 10Gb Converged Enhanced Ethernet (CEE) high-speed Pass-Thru module, an alternate source Brocade CNA, and a BNT switch.

Clearly, demonstrations of technology at industry events are desirable by both users and vendors as they provide an opportunity to see developing technology in action. These kinds of activities are always good opportunities for IT professionals to get a feel for what vendors are going to do with future products. And plugfests are a great way to test interoperability of various vendor's products; although I noticed that Emulex, and a few others, were not part of the second round of testing at UNH-IOL.

Certainly, developing combined solutions will ultimately result in valuable offerings and services that users will eventually be able to benefit from as the solutions roll out. The Information Technology industry as a whole has benefited greatly by vendors working together to develop best practices methodologies that saves time and money -- and greatly reduces the number of headaches suffered by users as well as service and support personnel.

Importantly, being able to deliver tangible Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) technology today, on a large scale, enables systems vendors and users to rapidly deploy converged networks. IBM's selection of three QLogic products as their primary standard CNA, mezzanine CNA, and Pass-Thru supplier is telling with regard to which vendor is making strides in availability of their technology and building out OEM relationships. Also telling is that IBM points out that QLogic introduced the first converged network adapter.

There has been a lot of talk around the industry regarding availability of CNAs and which CNA vendor will be working with systems vendors as this converged networking technology starts to roll out to end-users. The IBM announcement makes it pretty clear which vendor they believe is leading the market with convergence solutions.

In a past blog, I said, "FCoE connectivity will pick up the pace and start on its rapid adoption curve throughout 2009 and 2010; it stands to reason, given the economy, consolidation, and the move toward more unified and utility-based computing." With IBM moving forward with QLogic CNAs and Pass-Thru modules -- which are interoperable with other vendors hardware, respectively -- the implementation of FCoE can start at the server level and not have to disrupt exiting infrastructure. I believe we have now entered the phase were the technology is growing in availability and users can start deploying without worry over interoperability, or support. When I made my statement about the adoption curve throughout 2009 and 2010 I was unaware of the new OEM relationship between QLogic and IBM ... it appears that my prediction was correct and the adoption curve is well on its way up.

In my opinion, as fall rolls around, storage vendors will start to announce their support for FCoE connectivity. If recent history is a barometer for future events, I wouldn't be surprised to hear QLogic's name dropped even more often as the embedded silicon in storage arrays.

So, there is clearly a race underway ... the FCoE race. Who will win? Vendors will fight it out over OEM relationships and systems vendors will align with those hardware suppliers who are on the fast track to deliver tangible connectivity products to market. In the end, users who realize the cost saving benefits from this enabling technology will be the true winners of the FCoE race.