| The Storage Area Network(SAN) is a dedicated storage system which connect storage devices and disk servers with high speed network lines. The FC(Fibre Channel) protocol system, as one of the most popular protocol among SAN situation, is composed of a set of high-speed transmission devices and completed sub-protocol system running on several layers. The FC protocol is divided into five layers, FC-0 to FC-4, and many specific sub-protocols.The FC SAN is a SAN implemented with FC protocols which is mainly different with TCP/IP protocols. It is always built by switching structure, which means connecting a mount of disks and servers with FC switching equipment to form an FC SAN. An FCoE(FC over Ethernet) switch is a switch which connects both FC network and the Ethernet. It can be treated as an FC switch with integrated hardware and full functions to build up an FC SAN. Meanwhile, the FCoE switch is equipped with enhanced Ethernet interfaces, supporting FCoE protocols. It is able to join the network node with FCoE capabilities into the FC SAN. Furthermore, the most important point, the. FCoE switches support TCP/IP protocols system. With abilities to construct LAN network with IP switches as building FC SAN with regular FC switches, the FCoE switches link the LAN and SAN at the same time. The "I/O Consolidation", which is a magnificent target in networking construction, is perfectly reached.VSAN, with the full name of "Virtual Storage Area Network", is similar with VLAN technique, the FC SAN administrator can divide the devices and internal links into several logically separated virtual storage network with the VSAN technique. Each VSAN has a complete network structure as the real SAN, including the SAN's whole features. An upstanding division of VSANs in the fabric will greatly improve the safety, usability and scalability of the network.Data configuration makes the VSAN functions to be implemented. Users import command in the switches following the network build-up requirement, configuring the different kinds of ports into VSANs with different link types, to make the whole fabric be separated logically.The VSAN module is a basic part in the FCoE switches operating system. It charges the link negotiation administration and data configuration about VSAN, which is necessary to most of other modules. Many other function modules need the support from VSAN part to construct them.The VSAN data configuration module comprised by VSAN module is mainly responsible for receiving, storing, maintaining and reacting the VSAN data configuration from users. It notifies the data changes from data configurations or events to other function modules. It also supports the debugging and displaying function of the VSAN data.This article was completed to introduce the process and protocol theory of VSAN project. The discussion is mainly about software requirements of VSAN function as the protocol describes and the way to implement it. It is threaded by the protocols, with much more development details including analyzing, designing, testing and project procedure, in the hope of providing some implementation details about the VSAN function in FC protocols system and some utilities for the project developing method. |
