Fibre Channel SAN Extension over Optical Networks
DWDM Concepts
Channel Aggregation
• DWDM channel aggregation allows multiple FC channels
(ISLs) to be aggregated on one lambda:
• For example, with 2Gb/s FC over 10Gb/s DWDM:
– Without aggregation, 64 lambdas = 64 channels
– With aggregation, 64 lambdas x 4 channels/lambda = 256
channels
4 FC channels
1 lambda
1 DWDM fiber pair
Up to 64 lambdas (3 shown)
Channel aggregation allows multiple FC channels (ISLs) to be carried on the
same wavelength. With 2Gb/s FC and 10Gb/s DWDM platforms, aggregation
allows the DWDM fibre pair up to 4 times the capacity—up to 4 FC channels
per lambda (wavelength). If the DWDM platform supports 64 lambdas (typical
for today’s DWDM platforms) over 10Gb/s DWDM, the total capacity is 64 FC
channels without aggregation, and 256 channels with aggregation.