Computer Hardware
Fibre Channel
Definition
Fibre Channel (FC) is a high-speed data transfer protocol providing in-order, lossless delivery of raw block data. Fibre Channel is primarily used to connect computer data storage to servers in storage area networks (SAN) in commercial data centers.
Why It Matters
Fibre Channel is the traditional backbone of high-performance enterprise storage. It is known for its high speed, low latency, and reliability, making it ideal for mission-critical applications.
Contextual Example
In a large data center, servers connect to the storage arrays using Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapters (HBAs) and Fibre Channel switches, creating a dedicated storage network separate from the regular Ethernet traffic.
Common Misunderstandings
- Despite the name, Fibre Channel can run over both copper wires and fiber optic cables.
- iSCSI is a more modern, Ethernet-based alternative to Fibre Channel that is often more cost-effective.