How do you integrate your SCSI over FC SAN with other storage systems or cloud services?

1 FC Bridge

One of the simplest ways to integrate your SCSI over FC SAN with other storage systems is to use a FC bridge. A FC bridge is a device that converts FC signals to another protocol, such as Ethernet, iSCSI, SAS, or USB. By using a FC bridge, you can connect your FC devices to other storage networks or devices that use different protocols. For example, you can use a FC bridge to connect your FC SAN to a NAS device, a backup server, or a cloud gateway. A FC bridge can also help you migrate data from your FC SAN to another storage system without disrupting your applications or users.

2 FC Gateway

Another way to integrate your SCSI over FC SAN with other storage systems or cloud services is to use a FC gateway. A FC gateway is a device that acts as a proxy between your FC SAN and another storage network or service. Unlike a FC bridge, a FC gateway does not convert FC signals to another protocol, but rather encapsulates them in another protocol. For example, you can use a FC gateway to connect your FC SAN to an iSCSI SAN, a Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) network, or a cloud service. A FC gateway can also provide additional features, such as compression, encryption, deduplication, or caching, to optimize your data transfer and storage efficiency.

3 FC Router

A third way to integrate your SCSI over FC SAN with other storage systems or cloud services is to use a FC router. A FC router is a device that connects multiple FC networks or devices that use different FC fabrics, domains, or speeds. By using a FC router, you can extend your FC SAN across different locations, networks, or devices. For example, you can use a FC router to connect your FC SAN to another FC SAN in a remote site, a FC SAN in a different vendor's network, or a FC SAN with a different speed or topology. A FC router can also provide routing, zoning, security, and management functions for your FC networks.

4 FC Switch

A fourth way to integrate your SCSI over FC SAN with other storage systems or cloud services is to use a FC switch. A FC switch is a device that connects multiple FC devices within the same FC network or fabric. By using a FC switch, you can expand your FC SAN capacity, performance, and availability. For example, you can use a FC switch to connect your FC SAN to more servers, storage devices, or backup devices. A FC switch can also provide switching, zoning, security, and management functions for your FC devices.

5 FC Software

A fifth way to integrate your SCSI over FC SAN with other storage systems or cloud services is to use FC software. FC software is a program that runs on your servers or storage devices and enables them to communicate with other storage systems or services using FC protocol. By using FC software, you can eliminate the need for additional hardware devices, such as bridges, gateways, routers, or switches. For example, you can use FC software to connect your servers or storage devices to a cloud service, such as AWS Storage Gateway, Azure File Sync, or Google Cloud Storage. FC software can also provide features, such as virtualization, replication, or migration, to enhance your storage functionality and flexibility.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?