Question

SAN fiber channel interconnect

Storage products and equipment, Fiber channel

Could someone describe the materials required for a fiber channel interconnect for a backbone network.

I assume it is a switch, fiber patch "cables" and pci cards for server.

Could someone give me information and/or a reference to vendors.

You'll need a fibre switch (Cisco, McData, Brocade), fibre cables and HBAs (Host Bust Adapters) for the servers. These days most HBAs are PCIx or PCI Express (QLogic, Emulex).

I've used Brocade switches at a prior company, and we are currently purchasing Cisco switches for my current company. I've used QLogic and Emulex cards and I prefer the Emulex cards.

An excellent company that can help you out with planning, purchasing and deploying is Agalysis (I don't work for them, they are our VAR).