• Multiple devices can communicate simultaneously— bandwidth is scalable
• Switches create a topology called a switched fabric: – More expensive than hubs – Highly scalable infrastructure – Provides enhanced management functions
• Almost all new SAN devices sold today are switches
Fibre Channel switches: Fibre Channel switches are roughly analogous to Ethernet switches. They contain a switching matrix that can establish multiple concurrent routing paths to allow simultaneous communication between multiple sets of devices. Adding devices to a switch effectively adds bandwidth to the Fabric.
All ports connected to a switch can operate at full speed. Switches have sufficient aggregate bandwidth to handle full speed, full duplex operation on every connected port.
Switches are more expensive than hubs, but they provide significantly better performance and enable a highly scalable SAN infrastructure. In addition, a switched fabric topology provides for enhanced management functionality. Typically a frame switch architecture. We can have multiple, concurrent conversations going on all at full bandwidth. Now each node talks to its switch port. We now have a highly scalable infrastructure.