Intel Delivers Open Fibre Channel Over Ethernet

Intel introduced a free, "Open Fibre Channel Over Ethernet" software stack aimed at carrying all data center traffic over a single capable and using a single Intel 10GbE adapter. Intel's Open FCoE integrates capabilities into the operating system, enabling convergence for server network and storage connectivity while integrating seamlessly with existing Fibre Channel environments.


The Intel Open FCoE software stack is available as a free upgrade on existing X520 family products.


The initiative has gained support from Cisco, Dell, EMC, NetApp, Oracle and Red Hat.


Intel estimates that consolidation of cabling equipment can help reduce global IT spending by $3 billion a year.

"What's frustrating for IT managers is that most of the data center dollars are spent on infrastructure costs, not on innovation," said Kirk Skaugen, vice president and general manager, Data Center Group, Intel. "Expanding Intel Ethernet to include Open FCoE will help simplify the network and drive more of the IT budget toward innovation. We think IT departments can lower infrastructure costs by 29 percent, reduce power by almost 50 percent and cut cable costs by 80 percent by moving to a unified network."http://www.intel.com/go/unifiednetworking