Description
Brocade FC4-16IP Extension Blade: 16 Ports (8xFC 8xGbE) | 1, 2 and 4 Gbit/sec
Designed to seamlessly integrate into Brocade SAN infrastructures, the Brocade FC4-16IP iSCSI blade is based on the same Brocade next-generation 4 Gbit/sec Fibre Channel ASIC technology and Fabric OS used across the entire Brocade SAN family. Combined with state-of-the-art Ethernet network processors, this implementation enables a highly effective way to integrate iSCSI-based devices with Brocade SAN environments.
The Brocade FC4-16IP enables organizations to integrate lower-cost Ethernet-connected servers into Brocade Fibre Channel SANs by using the iSCSI protocol. SAN access provides more granular scalability when additional storage is required, and low-cost Ethernet attachment avoids the cost of additional Host Bus Adapters (HBAs) and Fibre Channel switch ports for server connectivity. With support for up to four Brocade FC4-16IP blades in a single Brocade 48000 Director, this enterprise-class iSCSI solution can scale up to support the connectivity of thousands of iSCSI servers.
The Brocade FC4-16IP utilizes Brocade Advanced Fabric Services, including key features such as Inter-Switch Link (ISL) Trunking and Extended Fabrics on the Fibre Channel ports. To simplify administration, organizations can utilize the familiar Fabric OS and SAN management tools they already use: a command line interface, Brocade Web Tools, and Brocade Fabric Manager.
Key Features and Benefits
- Enables iSCSI (Ethernet) servers to access storage in Brocade Fibre Channel SANs in a highly integrated, cost-effective manner for storage consolidation
- Provides high scalability, enabling up to thousands of iSCSI servers to connect to a single Brocade 48000 Director
- Improves the ROI of the SAN by enabling wider access to storage, optimizing resource utilization, and minimizing capital expenses
- Simplifies server administration and storage allocation while leveraging centralized storage to improve data security and control
- Extends new capabilities such as centralized backup or tape vaulting to existing servers in Direct Attached Storage (DAS) environments
- Enhances availability by leveraging enterprise-class SAN director services
- Increases productivity by utilizing familiar SAN management tools consistent with the overall SAN infrastructure
BROCADE 32-Port Director Blade 
The 32-port 4 Gbit/sec blade is (at worst) 16:8 over-subscribed when crossing the backplane, and 1:1 subscribed when switching in a 16-port local group. The Brocade 48000 directors have 64 Gbit/sec of slot bandwidth between each blade and the control processors. This 64 Gbit/sec path allows sixteen 4 Gbit/sec ports on each Brocade director blade to simultaneously communicate across the backplane with no contention.
BROCADE 48-Port Director Blade 
The 48-port 4 Gbit/sec blade is (at worst) 24:8 over-subscribed when crossing the backplane, and 1:1 subscribed when switching in a 24-port local group. The Brocade 48000 directors have 64 Gbit/sec of slot bandwidth between each blade and the control processors. This 64 Gbit/sec path allows sixteen 4 Gbit/sec ports on each Brocade director blade to simultaneously communicate across the backplane with no contention.
Brocade Director Blade Service & Part Numbers
- Brocade 16-Port Blade: BR-48000-0101
- Brocade 32-Port Blade: BR-48000-0102
- Brocade 48-Port Blade: BR-48000-0148
