• Transparently joins FC switches over IP network • Encapsulates Fibre Channel frames and primitives
• Creates one Fibre Channel fabric over extended distance—closely coupled architecture
FCIP is a tunnelling protocol that replaces a single ISL between two switches in a ‘one to one’ architecture.
together in a closely coupled architecture that merges the fabric.
This will create a virtual ISL which will then force a fabric merge. So when we use FCIP, because it takes the entire frame and carries it to the remote network, FCIP merges and creates a single fabric.
So our E_Port will connect to our B_Port. We then tunnel through our IP network. Then our B_Port goes back to our E_Port creating our virtual ISL between our 2 devices. All information will traverse this link, including all fabric traffic in addition to the storage or upper layer protocol traffic.
As devices or links are added and removed, this generates Registered State Change Notifications (RSCN) which inform HBAs and other registered devices that a change has occurred.