We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Networking

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Fiber Channel?

By Kurt Inman
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 7,975
Share

Fiber channel (FC) is a high-speed network technology. Using an FC network interface, data can be sent with lasers over a fiber-optic cable that is many miles or kilometers in length. The FC protocols and topologies can also be used on shorter-distance Ethernet networks over copper cables. FC is often used in storage networking to interconnect the storage devices and the servers which distribute their data. It is also commonly used in the infrastructure of the Internet and enterprise intranets.

Development began on fiber channel technology in 1988 and it became a standard in 1994. The designers originally focused on long-distance communication using a simple connection. The alternative was the High Performance Parallel Interface (HIPPI), a supercomputer-based standard with relatively short and bulky connections. Over time, FC transmission speed increased and it became a common interface for storage area network (SAN) devices. Serial Storage Architecture was a competitor in the early 1990s, but FC soon achieved much higher bandwidths.

Unlike the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model, the fiber channel network model has only five layers. The highest layer is where other protocols are prepared for transmission through the network layer. FC supports many high-level protocols including Internet Protocol (IP), Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) and video protocols. The network, data link and physical layers—the lower three model layers—are where the FC-specific protocols actually send the data. Some of the higher-speed FC standards are not backward-compatible with slower speeds due to data link layer encoding differences.

When a group of devices are connected using FC, the interconnections are referred to as the fiber channel fabric. Three different topologies can be used to create a fiber channel fabric. Switched Fabric is similar to Ethernet, with individual devices plugged into a central network switch. This is the most efficient arrangement when multiple devices are transferring data at once. It also prevents a failed device or switch port from shutting down the rest of the fabric.

A second topology, similar in some ways to Token Ring, is known as Arbitrated Loop. It connects all the devices in a loop, and only two can talk to each other at the same time. Any device failure disrupts the ring, as does removing or adding a functioning device. The third topology consists simply of two devices connected directly together. The advantage of these two topologies over Switched Fabric is that each fiber channel frame is guaranteed to be delivered.

Large SANs need very fast and reliable connections between the networked storage devices and the servers which distribute their data. As it is usually highly efficient for transferring large blocks of data, fiber channel technology is often used in SANs. The distribution servers generally use slower, less reliable and less expensive connections to reach other servers and end users. Even without a SAN, fiber channel frequently connects high-end storage devices to individual servers. FC can also be used to connect a remote storage backup system to an individual computer many miles away.

Share
EasyTechJunkie is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.easytechjunkie.com/what-is-a-fibre-channel.htm
Copy this link
EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.