I/O Consolidation in the Data Center is the first book that explains the recently approved Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) standard and the most up-to-datetechnologies required to implement Data Center Ethernet.I/O consolidation is the ability to combine the multiple traffic types carried over different Data Center network infrastructures, and each typically having peculiar characteristics and specific handling requirements, into a single network technology. I/O consolidation provides several cost benefits in terms of reduced number of components required to build a Data Center and of associated simplified management structures.Today, the cost of the connections required to connect a server to LAN, SAN, and IPC networks in an enterprise often exceeds the cost of the server itself. Consolidating these infrastructures over a single Data Center Ethernet network with FCoE is equivalent to installing and operating a single network instead of three, resulting in the followingbenefits:· Fewer adapters and switch ports· Reduction and simplification of cabling· Absence of gateways· Less power and cooling needs· Overall reduced costsThe authors, who are leading FCoE innovators, systematically describe the technology its benefits, tradeoffs, and what it will take to implement it successfully in production environments. The book also includes some case studies illustrating typical FCoE adoption scenarios, as well as an extensive Q&A section at the end of most chapters, addressing the issues enterprise IT professionals raise most often.Silvano Gai is a Cisco Fellow, with more than 27 years of experience in computerengineering and computer networks. He was an architect of the Cisco® Catalyst® familyof network switches, of the Cisco MDS family of storage networking switches, and of the Nexus family of data center switches.

Silvano teaches a course on I/O Consolidation, Data Center Ethernet, and Fibre Channel over Ethernet at Stanford University (see http://scpd.stanford.edu/certificates/fcoe).Claudio DeSanti is a Distinguished Engineer in the Advanced Architectures & Research organization in Cisco. He represents Cisco in several National and International Standards Bodies, such as INCITS Technical Committee T11, IEEE 802.1, IETF, and in industry associations. He is vice chairman of the INCITS T11 Technical Committee, chairperson of various working groups, including FC-BB-5, where FCoE has been developed, and technical editor of different standards.Clearly outlines the benefits and roles of FCoE and Data Center EthernetWritten by key Cisco insiders responsible for making FCoE a realityCovers Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) to the final standardCovers Data Center Ethernet to the most up-to-date technologiesContains Case Studies and answers to frequently asked questions on implementation strategiesThis book is part of the Networking Technology Series from Cisco Press®, which offers networking professionals valuable information for constructing efficient networks, understanding new technologies, and building successful careers.